Dun Laoghaire:
Currently, our city, like many others, lacks a comprehensive and cost-effective system for real-time urban monitoring (air quality, road damage, parking, graffiti, ambrosia, littering, …). This gap hinders our ability to understand and address various urban issues effectively. The absence of a platform that allows easy and flexible installation of new sensors for various research needs further compounds this problem. Therefore, the need of the hour is to develop a solution that not only addresses these issues but also respects the privacy and safety of our citizens.
A significant urban challenge we face is the high cost and infrastructure requirements for car park sensors. These sensors are expensive to install and maintain. This leads to increased congestion as drivers spend unnecessary time searching for parking spaces. Furthermore, traffic congestion negatively impacts air quality, fuel consumption, and overall quality of life in the city. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a cost-effective and efficient solution to monitor and manage parking in our city.
Unlocking the untapped potential of utility vehicles (waste and maintenance), with their capacity to traverse every street at least once a week, holds immense potential in urban monitoring.
Alternative to static in-pavement sensors should be envisioned. Alternatives, for example: fixed cameras are not always suitable because of significant foliage and tree canopies.
In our city we are not only solving our urgent needs, in this case: parking places monitoring, but whilst doing so, we are always looking for a broader application, an application that will increase city’s research capacity and citizen engagement (citizen science). An application that will be expanded with new features without significant extra costs.
Tallinn:
The city of Tallinn has approximately 50000 traffic signs. The challenge we face in Tallinn is the timely detection and repair of damaged traffic signs. Current system containing the information about traffic signs in the city needs to be updated. We need a modern system using cutting-edge technologies to monitor, maintain, operate with data about traffic signs. We need digital solution of traffic signs visual locations on the city map. This will help to identify missing traffic signs. Also we need to identify either traffic sign is in good shape. Damage to these signs, caused by various factors such as weather, vandalism, and accidents, can lead to confusion and hazardous situations on the road. It is essential to quickly identify and address damaged signs to ensure the safety and smooth flow of traffic.
