Everyone knows video cameras are used in cities for tasks like traffic monitoring, basic surveillance and other security needs. But did you know that there are numerous other scenarios where they could help improve the way people live and work, and the way cities function?
I’ve listed several use cases that perhaps you haven’t thought of, in the presentation and text below:
What’s going on in a city? Tourists and citizens alike want to know about events, traffic issues, and perhaps crowded areas to avoid. Three-dimensional virtual city models delivered to their mobile phones could provide the necessary information in a handy way, in real time. Thanks to augmented reality technology, network cameras can be used as intelligent sensors at strategic points throughout the city. Clever software can produce a 3D map with several layers of live information, including live video footage. Application areas for such ‘living’ maps can range from safety and security to industrial, health, educational, entertainment and advertising purposes.
How do you keep a growing population updated with what is happening in the city? Municipalities need smarter tools to communicate with citizens in cases of potential threats or dangers, or to inform residents of problems in certain city areas in a timely manner. With screens installed in main locations such as squares or train stations, and based on information fed through from network cameras, authorities can display important messages that alert people in real-time of potentially dangerous or problematic situations, and give guidance on the best actions to take.
Many people now carry a smartphone wherever they go. A mobile app with GPS-based location information could enable citizens to report malfunctioning or inefficient services on the go – overflowing bins perhaps, or broken street lights. City authorities can verify the reported issues using their network of installed video cameras and decide on the best and quickest way to resolve the problem. They can also keep citizens updated on progress by pushing information back to the same app. Such a system would allow residents to give feedback about city services provided by municipalities, and improve the quality of life for everyone relying on these services.
Social media such as Facebook and Twitter are already crucial sources of information for police forces, the media, and other users who may be affected by the same reported issue, especially during incidents both small and large. Once city authorities have been alerted to an occurrence via keywords trending in Social media, network video allows them to gather visual feedback instantly, locate the problem, monitor the situation, and verify its importance. Ultimately, combining the content posted on social networks with data gathered by network video cameras, intelligent sensors and other IT applications allows authorities to tap into big data to gain a better understanding of what is happening on a day-to-day basis, and how to respond to it.
Keys, wallets, phones, laptops and bikes are amongst the items that most commonly go missing in a city every day, either because their owners lose them or because they are stolen.
