IoT as solution to traffic congestion, other challenges

There is need for Nigeria to leverage Internet of Things (IoT) to meet challenges of its growing population, particularly traffic congestion and parking.

IoT, which is the internetworking of physical devices, vehicles, buildings and other items—embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and network connectivity that enable objects to collect and exchange data is capable easing daily plights of about 48 per cent of Nigerians, who live in urban areas, Managing Director, Vodacom Business Nigeria, Lanre Kolade said.

Nigeria’s population, according to the United Nations is expected to become, the world’s third largest by 2050 from its current seventh.

With current estimated internet users standing at about 86, 219,965, representing about 46.1 per cent of the population , Kolade said at a Breakfast meeting, organised by Nigerian – British Chamber Of Commerce (NBCC) on “Delivering Smart Cities with Internet of Things (IoTs) that the innovation could tackle key challenges.

“A lot of people believe building the smart city will be extremely disruptive, but we don’t have to tear down the towns of today to improve services and the quality of life for their inhabitants. By using IoT technology, which is commercially available today, a host of intelligently connected services become possible,” he said.

No fewer than 16 per cent of Nigeria’s population lives in Lagos alone, hence government must play a central role to make the city run effectively, Kolade said.

He stressed on the need for government to ease the pressure on congestion and parking, improve sustainability, by reducing the cost of services and cutting energy consumption.

He noted that energy usage, carbon emissions, and pollution in all its forms remained pressing urban issues that must encourage government to consider IoT.

Kolade said: “IoT monitors installed around the city can sense and report back to central systems on local humidity, dust levels, harmful chemicals, pressure, and other factors. Authorities can use this information to restrict traffic or industry in highly polluted areas, or make a case for budgeting when planning to improve air quality.”