How Smart Cities Use Algorithms

Smart Cities are urban areas that use data, algorithms and automation to optimize infrastructure and improve quality of life.

But how does that actually work? Let's take an example.

Smart Traffic Lights

In most cities traffic lights follow fixed timers- a light might stay green for 30 seconds and then turn red, no matter the time of day or the number of cars waiting. Imagine it’s 2:00 AM and you're stuck at a red light even though no other cars are around.

So fixed timers are simple, but inefficient.

Smart cities solve this with adaptive trafic lights that use math/algorithms and sensors to adjust signal timing in real time.

Smart lights gather traffic data using sources like road cameras, sensors under the roads, GPS data from vehicles, etc. These inputs give systems live data on how many cars are waiting or how long have they been waiting, how fast or slow the vehicles are moving, etc.

Now the system has to decide which light should turn red/green and for how long. This is where algorithms come into play. A very basic math formula that could be used here would be weighted decision:

Priority Score = (Cars Waiting x Weight_A) + (Wait Time x Weight_B)

A score would be calculated for every direction using the above formula and assigned weights and the direction with the highest weighted score would be prioritized. Weights could also mean factors like pedestrians, presence of emergency/rescue vehicles, etc.

Unlike fixed timers, the smart signal adapts every few seconds based on the latest data. If a road is suddenly congested due to an accident, the system automatically shifts timing to ease flow.

Isn't it amazing, how basic math can make our lives simpler and easier!!