Tehran’s mayor says cutting-edge technology and Internet of Things must be harnessed when addressing urban problems, including the worsening air pollution and the monstrous traffic in the metropolis.
Mohammad Ali Afshani said assessing modern technology for organized urban expansion and efficient management is on the municipality agenda, ISNA reported.
Through remote sensing technologies and digital solutions, IoT can enable authorities to monitor many urban indicators, like air quality and traffic flow in real-time and improve their response to critical issues.
"TM will employ new smart technologies to enhance the quality of urban life," the mayor said.
Suffocating air pollution and nerve-racking traffic jams are among key problems that apparently will never go away in the city of 12 million people where homes and unwanted shopping malls are expanding at terrible speed.
Every year, with the onset of the cold season comes the oppressive air pollution that fills hospitals and adds to the trauma of families caring for the sick and elderly.
When there is a temperature inversion in the cold months, air pollution is trapped closer to the ground blanketing the massive city, a phenomenon that has adverse effects on the people’s health.
Thanks to IoT and other smart technologies, there are currently online services and applications that enable people to know about the air quality of their city on an hourly basis and also monitor the congested roads if and when they need to go out in the city.
Technologies also help the municipality monitor the traffic and come up with feasible plans to make life tolerable for the people.
At the international level, IoT has conquered a wide arena, providing various services. Smart devices connected via the Internet have been installed in several cities worldwide, which collect relevant data in real time. Using the information, cities can map areas of high pollution, track changes over time and identify polluters and if possible remove them.
In recent years application of IoT solutions have also gained traction in Iran as projects have been undertaken in different sectors including agriculture and energy.
So far a number of projects entailing application of smart technologies have been implemented in Iran, including replacing old electricity meters with smart grids to increase the accuracy in monitoring energy consumption. Smart power meters digitally send meter readings to energy suppliers via the Internet to ensure more accurate billing.
Currently, Tehran Traffic Police is using automated smart surveillance systems to spot and fine cars lacking technical inspection stickers.
Installation of online air quality monitoring systems across the country can also be named among the applications of modern technologies in urban management.
Tehran Municipality has announced that it welcomes collaboration with companies and individuals whose products and services can help alleviate problems such as air pollution and traffic congestion.
