The Role of Beacon Technology in Smart Cities

In the developing world, as much as 80% of the economic growth will occur in cities. There are currently 1.3 million people moving into cities each week. By 2040, 65% of the population are expected to be living in cities.

These statistics are compelling evidence the world is becoming more urbanized than ever before. Proximity to work, greater opportunities, and a wider choice of entertainment options all play a role in the decision to reside in an urban area.

Cities should prepare for growth. Making room for more people strains resources already in place and, if left unaddressed, can lead to issues.

Cities need to be smart. This means implementing ways for people to go about their daily routines easier and more productively, even if there are many more inhabitants.

Beacon technology is integral in smart cities being able to accomplish this. It will play a significant role in helping cities function efficiently and manage inhabitants effectively.

Here are five advantages beacon technology offers smart cities.

Maximizes Public Safety

Many cities deal with crime, from purse snatching to physical assaults. Protecting visitors and residents is a top priority, and it’s easier with beacon technology. By installing beacons around the city, especially the remote or crime-ridden locations, emergency personnel can better pinpoint the location of a person who calls in. If the person has downloaded the city’s app, the nearest beacon will “ping” the person’s phone. The caller doesn’t have to scramble to try to figure out where he or she is and convey that on the phone. This helps the police reach the person faster.

Assists Visually-Challenged People

Up until now, visually-challenged people were limited in how they could navigate a city. They couldn’t rely on signs or other landmarks to help them find their way. With beacon technology, the city app can guide the person turn by turn around the city. They gain access to restaurants, attractions, and transportation options that may not have been available to them before.

Provides Traffic and Parking Navigation

Driving and parking might be the biggest headache of living and working in a big city. Beacon technology helps smart cities combat this stress. With beacons, cities can make drivers aware of construction, accidents, or general congestion in an area and offer an alternate route. Parking garages can use beacons to count the number of parking spaces available on each level, so drivers don’t have to careen through the garage praying they snag a space. In addition, beacons can measure the traffic patterns throughout the city and gather important data that show the city where to add lanes or widen roads.

Beacons don’t just assist drivers. They Provides Other Transportation Assistance Large stations are daunting when people are trying to find their particular train or bus. Beacons can guide them to the location they need to be, directly through the city’s app. Restaurants and restrooms can also be found through the app. Beacons work inside trains and subways as well to increase passenger comfort during their trip by directing passengers to cars that aren’t crowded.

Promotes Tourism

Smart cities can employ beacons to create a killer visitor experience. Through the app, tourists can find their way around town easily. Beacons can also point out historical buildings and areas as well as give information on attractions the visitor may not otherwise be privy to. In addition, beacons can guide them to transportation options, restaurants, and other attractions. Beacons can also “ping” a visitor’s phone with coupons and other promotions for companies that are in proximity to them.

With cities growing at breakneck speed, cities are going to have to become smart to provide a good quality of life and maintain efficiency. Beacon technology is a powerful tool that is simple and cost-effective to adopt and requires minimal effort for the end-user to learn. The opportunities of what it can provide are exciting and seemingly endless. That’s why beacon technology and inclusive smart cities will go hand-in-hand in the future.