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Application of Internet of Things in Smart City Traffic Control

With the continuous development of technology, it has also brought significant changes to our cities. A smart city is the result of the latest technology, where people live better with the help of information and communication technology. What role does the Internet of Things play in the traffic management of smart cities?


While making full use of technology, smart cities also ensure that they do not pollute the environment in any way. When we are faced with new technological applications, we must also consider whether there is an impact on the environment.



Infrastructure that supports sustainable development


The city management department cannot manage the entire city without infrastructure. A sustainable infrastructure will produce adequate energy savings with less impact on the environment. Smart infrastructure and appropriate urban services will bring citizens a whole new life experience.


There will be huge differences between smart cities and traditional cities. Smart cities are designed to provide users with a comfortable life while minimizing harm to the environment.


The advantage of a smart city is that citizens also work with managers to build a comfortable place to live. They are engaged in all kinds of different jobs, and in the end it is to build a beautiful home for mankind. Smart cities mainly focus on the efficient use of all resources, and for this, IoT technology will play an important role.


From pollutant management to strict control systems, every link has been effectively optimized, thereby contributing to the city's infrastructure development. In smart cities, traffic management is an important thing. The use of IoT in traffic management will effectively reduce any sudden traffic problems and increase the efficiency of transportation. First, let's review IoT technology again.


How does the Internet of Things work?


The application of IoT technology is very extensive. For example, it is commonly used in real estate, transportation, and the smart water meter market.


In simple terms, IoT is a way to communicate with all related devices. There are many smart devices in the market now, and almost all of them can be connected to each other through IoT technology.


IoT will ensure smooth communication from one device to another. We are also able to interact with related devices through IoT technology.


The entire IoT system stores a very large amount of data. That's why you need to use cloud technology to save all your data.


Big data analytics will help store information. Smart cities mainly rely on the Internet of Things and big data. The use of both technologies in traffic management will bring about major changes.


How can IoT be used for traffic control?


Traffic jams, isn't that the most annoying thing in the world? From city dwellers to office workers, no one wants to spend a lot of time in traffic jams. Effective traffic management is one of the biggest problems facing urban management.


Although developed countries have carried out IoT projects on smart city transportation systems, trying to use big data and IoT technologies to minimize all traffic problems. But it is not easy for developing countries to invest such huge sums of money in the process.


Regardless of the size of the city, the car has become a necessity, and people prefer to drive themselves rather than take public transportation, which is more convenient.


As people started using more cars, traffic problems became more persistent. Most cities use cameras on the road to obtain vehicle-related information, which is then transmitted to the city traffic management center, which uses this information to manage traffic.


How can traffic be organized and managed in a better way to minimize traffic jams? There are many factors that must be considered in an intelligent transportation system using IoT.


Traffic lights and IoT control systems


Traffic lights play an important role in IoT-based traffic control systems. Weather sensors are installed on traffic lights. These sensors can detect gloomy weather conditions and can automatically adjust the brightness of the lights. These traffic lights can also record traffic jams in specific areas.


The cameras installed on these traffic lights will capture the traffic flow on a specific road and transmit this data to the background. Based on these data, the traffic management backend analyzes how to effectively divert traffic and reduce congestion.


Smart parking through the Internet of Things


Parking is the biggest problem facing traffic authorities. The infrastructure of the city does not allow people to park their vehicles anywhere. Especially in the bustling areas of the city, the lack of parking spaces has led to serious traffic congestion.


How does the Internet of Things make smart parking possible? How does it solve the parking problem in reality? The answer is simple. IoT devices will collect data on all empty parking spaces in the parking lot, and vehicles entering the parking lot will get this data.


In this way, the car does not need to search for a parking space at all. They can follow the prompts to enter the parking lot and then go straight to the vacant parking space. This will reduce congestion in the parking lot and make it easier for car owners to park in the parking lot.


Several cities in Europe and the United States have already implemented this smart parking technology, and they have made significant progress in the parking problem. It can be seen that IoT technology has brought many benefits to traffic management.


Emergency assistance through IoT


Whatever the reason, losing a precious life in a traffic accident is tragic. In some cases, people lost their lives because they couldn't get timely treatment. For example, with no one around, it is difficult for them to get help.


IoT-based traffic control systems solve this problem very effectively. Sensors on the road detect any sudden accidents and immediately report the problem to the traffic management system, which takes further action to resolve the problem.


If the problem can be found in time, there is still room for the accident to be saved. Therefore, based on the Internet of Things technology to provide emergency assistance, traffic accidents in remote areas or late at night will be dealt with immediately.


Solving the commute time problem with the Internet of Things


For those who live in big cities, it is normal to spend a few hours to get to a destination. Tackling these long commutes is no easy task.


With the continuous development of the city, it has attracted more and more business activities from all over the world. It is not possible to expand the road according to the development of city commerce. This is why people use big data analytics and IoT technologies. IoT devices will provide them with all the route information they can get to their destination, and how long it will take to get there.


Traffic is the lifeblood of a city. The use of IoT sensors to effectively implement intelligent traffic management is of great significance to the development of smart city transportation.