Solutions beyond lighting
Exploring technology synergies
Modern technology opens up a huge realm of opportunities for cities to bring added value to consumers. The combination of seemingly unrelated disciplines ‒ such as lighting, WiFi, sensors, mobile computing ‒ creates a host of new applications, from managing parking spaces to establishing local positioning systems or measuring air pollution.
Smart lights
A multi-use network
A city’s street lighting infrastructure can be converted into a multifunctional communication network. Luminaires linked together in a powerline or wireless network can be individually controlled from a central location using light management software. This allows urban areas to adapt illumination to the given needs, e.g. traffic density, daytime, weather etc. OSRAM Lighting Solution’s next-generation light management system Street Light Control (SLC) integrates lights into a wireless network based on the new IPv6 standard where each luminaire becomes an infrastructure node for the transmission of relevant information. Since data is routed autonomously from one light head to the next, the system is highly flexible and capable of finding an alternate route in case a unit fails. This concept simplifies light management, improves functionality, and even allows the city to set up a public WiFi network where appropriate.
Smart parking and traffic routing
Avoiding traffic congestion and parking headaches
A wireless network using street lights as access points can serve as a backbone for new, sensor-based “Smart City” services, such as detecting vacant parking lots or measuring traffic density. The data captured by this “Beacon”-type technology can be used to direct drivers to vacant parking spaces or guide traffic flows through urban areas. This in turn will benefit the attractiveness of a city for visitors and businesses, and help avoid unnecessary vehicle movements and pollution caused by drivers looking for parking spaces.
Smart environment protection
Safeguarding the health of people and nature
OSRAM Lighting Solution is firmly committed to green technologies. Energy-saving LED lighting systems are one big example, and smart lighting control systems another. But there is more. In a Smart City, the network-connected street lighting infrastructure can be fitted with pollution sensors which report CO2, SOX and particulate matter levels or other relevant pollution parameters to the traffic control centre to trigger appropriate action, such as issuing health warnings to the population or imposing traffic restrictions.
