| Notes |
Future Networks
Such communications foresight doubtless inspired Comcast to select Detroit as one of the first places in the U.S. for the company’s MachineQ IoT advanced systems. The so-called LoRanWAN network provides connectivity for infrastructure components (such as monitoring utilities with wireless water meters) as well as for private businesses looking to automate their own infrastructure components and offerings to consumers. The wireless system then connects to Comcast’s backbone, offering businesses countless new opportunities.
The Motor City’s communications initiatives are also one of the reasons why the city was chosen by IDC Government Insights as a winner in its IDC Smart Cities North America Awards this spring. Perhaps not surprisingly, Detroit was singled out for its progress on its transportation infrastructure, particularly smart roads and intersections.
The city is literally making its intersections smart using sensors, video detection systems, intelligent traffic signals, and mobile monitoring tools and alerts. The goal is to improve traffic flow, reduce emissions caused by traffic congestion, increase safety, and allow for real-time control of transportation arteries. The city’s efforts led to a recent $2.2 million Federal grant to help the city deploy vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication systems at intersections in high-traffic areas in Southwest Detroit, the Riverfront, Corktown, and the Livernois-McNichols corridor. In addition to reducing accidents, the V2I system should improve emergency response times and boost the overall quality of life in the city. |