Jul 16, 2015

Smart technologies are everywhere, from phones and tablets to the thermostat connected to an app that you can direct from anywhere. The Internet of Things - the system of interconnected sensors that allows objects, software and electronics to communicate with one another - provides a distinct opportunity for collaboration across the board as these technologies become more available. According to Business Insider, in 2013 there were 1.9 billion connected items, and projections place that number at 9 billion by 2018.

Cities are beginning to realize the benefits of implementing smart technology solutions in their infrastructures and this has led to an increased demand for strong networks to connect these additions. But how are these technologies changing the face of cities across the globe, and how can government agencies make sure they provide the best connectivity solutions to their employees?

Who is using smart tech in the public sector?
American City & County contributor Michael Keating reported that municipalities are beginning to take advantage of smart technologies in many different ways. Sensors placed in parking spaces alert citizens about where they could potentially park their cars in Foster City, California, and water and waste management are also areas that can benefit from the strategic placement of sensors within existing infrastructure.

Smart technologies offer crucial solutions for public safety, as well. For instance, geospatial location tools are giving emergency response crews necessary location data for fighting fires in the western half of the U.S., according to GCN contributor Patrick Marshall. Data mining is providing firefighters in New York the information required to identify fire traps, according to GCN contributor Rutrell Yasin. The bottom line is: Technologies, especially smart ones, help municipalities improve the health and wellbeing of the public.

Where does mesh come in?
Mesh networks can improve the accuracy and increase the usefulness of these smart technologies, especially for city infrastructures utilizing sensors to create an interconnected web of devices. Utilizing a mesh network to improve surveillance systems is one way that cities can benefit, among others.

Mesh networks don’t work like traditional ones. Instead of having a central access point and branching out from there, nodes within a mesh system all have the ability to become access points. In other words, if one point in the system goes offline, the entire network doesn’t suffer a costly outage. The self-healing nature of these systems is one advantage that traditional networks can’t offer.

This characteristic makes mesh networks stronger than traditional ones, and public safety officials can benefit in many ways. For instance, according to Security Magazine, city officials in Scottsdale, Arizona, are using intelligent transportation systems to monitor roadways affected by special events, weather and emergencies. The mesh network in Scottsdale consists of 90 nodes placed strategically throughout the city, along with video cameras at various intersections. This network reduces the need to deploy too many police officers and can help maintain the flow of traffic.

In Scottsdale, the mesh solution was chosen because of its ability to cover a wide area and provide a low latency. As cities become increasingly smarter and start to incorporate more video surveillance and sensors within their infrastructures, the need for a stronger network is pressing. Dispatchers, for example, can take advantage of the low latency and interconnected access points to deliver more accurate location data to emergency response crews on the way to a call. The possibilities are endless – and the use of mesh can help cities improve public health.

To learn more about how mesh networks provide solutions for public safety, contact Firetide today.