Engineering Inc. - September/October 2016 - 24

Smart transportation systems make conditions along with a high level roads safer and less congested. Smart of livability, it's nothing less than infrastructure improves the delivery of critical to tap technology- municipal services, such as trash colparticularly big data lection and road repair. Smart energy and the Internet of systems reduce consumption and curb Things (IoT)-to air pollution. Finally, smart buildings fuel innovation and introduce more comfortable, efficient advancements. and sustainable environments. "We are Already, a growing number of cities witnessing a around the world-from Barcelona, tremendous Spain, to Charlotte, North Carolina- convergence of are tapping IT systems, data, sensors and technologies that devices to reduce costs, boost efficiency have the potential and improve the quality of life. "The to significantly smart city concept has evolved beyond impact the way people a marketing catchphrase. It's a tangible live and work," says Biff and viable thing that centers on creating Lyons, executive vice president a different and better experience," says and manager of the Defense and Paul Doherty, president and CEO of the Security Division at Parsons Corp. Digit Group, a real estate development For A/E/C firms, the opportunities and design and construction firm that related to smart cities are enormous. The specializes in smart city development. market is projected to hit $1.5 trillion by Smart cities and smart grids ultimately 2020, according to Frost & Sullivan. Yet revolve around building greater infrathe challenges are also formidable. structure resiliency, improving the inteThere's a need to understand the gration of existing and emerging systems, diverse and complicated array of digital and delivering information that can be technologies; design, engineer and build used to create revenues and value, says new and more advanced systems using Mike Beehler, vice president at Burns & tools such as Building Information ModMcDonnell. "It's all about delivering benefits related to people, profits and planet," he says. In fact, as the 21st century unfolds, there's growing competition among cities to attract new residents, support businesses and entice visitors. At the same time, city officials find themselves "There is an contending with increasever-increasing ingly tight budgets, scarce need for resources and greater citipeople who can zen expectations. eling (BIM); integrate new technology with legacy infrastructure; transform raw data into information and insights; and design highly secure IT systems and networks that are resistant to hacks and cyberattacks. Although the smart city concept isn't new- computers and data already tackle myriad tasks-the next decade and beyond will deliver radical and potentially disruptive changes that will reshape cities and society. Consider that Barcelona, which was named the world's top smart city by Jupiter Research in 2015, already has more than 80 smart city initiatives in place, including intelligent street lighting that switches on when there's motion, trash receptacles that signal when they're full so that sanitation workers can optimize their routes, sensors that indicate when parking spots are available to motorists, and 60 % Getting Smart According to Frost & Sullivan, a global research and business consulting firm, more than 60 percent of the world's population will live in urban centers by 2025. In order for these cities to function effectively and deliver vibrant economic 24 ENGINEERING INC. bridge the gap between the technologists and the business leaders and thus focus on the art of the possible." BIFF LYONS PARSONS CORP. SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2016 nadla/GETTY IMAGES of the world's population will live in urban centers by 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Engineering Inc. - September/October 2016