Smart city initiatives are intended to make life easier for citizens while helping local government agencies become more efficient. Telematics and related connected-car technologies are key smart city enablers, providing advanced web-based analytics to better manage commercial and public sector fleets. When implemented properly, technologies like these can effectively create a network of connected devices that work together to help improve the quality of life for citizens in a number of ways, including improved commute times, safer streets and decreased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This happens through the collection of data through each connected device. Once data is collected, it can be analyzed to pull out insights that can help city officials make informed decisions about city operations.
Rubicon’s SmartCity technology solution is just one example. Used by over 50 cities across the U.S., this technology is being deployed by forward-thinking government agencies to help anticipate the needs of their residents by proactively tailoring their services to address citizen concerns before they happen. Cities must balance tight annual budgets with ongoing infrastructure improvements all while managing incredibly complex operations.
Waste management made smarter
One area the Rubicon smart city solution can help cities with is in waste management. Refuse trucks are equipped with the Rubicon solution to gather data as they complete their daily routes, which helps sanitation service teams with navigation and route planning, pre- and post-inspection and more efficient disposal.
When paired with a robust telematics solution, smart city software like Rubicon is helping revolutionize the smart waste industry. With telematics devices on board, connected waste collection vehicles can gather data including, length of time on a route, distance traveled on a route, unplanned stops and even pick up times for specific houses. Telematics can also provide waste management fleet operators with information to help improve driver safety, including speeding, harsh braking, sharp cornering and more.
Just one example of how a powerful telematics system and cutting-edge technology from Rubicon can work together can be seen in the City of Spokane, WA. The Solid Waste Collections team deployed Geotab devices equipped with Rubicon software and helped the city save $25,000 per year in printing costs by digitizing their operations. The technology has helped enhance every aspect of the city’s daily collection operation, aiding with route optimization and driver assignments and even speeding up the response to issues at the curb.
From smart waste to smart cities
The benefits don’t have to end there. Cities can maximize existing government resources even further by using the data gathered by connected waste collection vehicles to address issues beyond waste. The data generated can inform other agencies of potential issues including, potholes and other road conditions, vacant homes and even graffiti hotspots to help cities proactively address those concerns. This type of data could even potentially be used to inform citizens directly, for instance through an online portal that would alert drivers of various road conditions, such as potholes.
Interested in learning more? Read Geotab’s smart waste case study here.
