The Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming every industry on Earth. According to the DevPro Journal, "The Eclipse Foundation's latest IoT commercial adoption survey found that approximately 40% of the industry leaders surveyed said their organizations are currently using IoT solutions, and another 22% plan to deploy IoT within the next two years." Existing investments are also expected to increase significantly. Therefore, it makes sense that road and traffic safety will also be impacted by this adoption.
How can the Internet of Things (IoT) help improve road safety?
What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?
First, it's important to understand what the Internet of Things (IoT) is. The IoT is a system of sensors, cameras, and other devices that communicate with each other and a central hub, providing real-time data for human- and machine-based decision-making.
How does it improve road safety?
According to Investopedia, "The idea behind the Internet of Things (IoT) is to enable devices to report themselves in real time, improving efficiency and bringing critical information to the surface faster than systems that rely on human intervention." Therefore, in the transportation environment, this translates to numerous improvements in road safety and productivity.
#1 Monitoring the vehicle fleet
According to Medium, “New opportunities to improve operational efficiency have emerged by adding IoT sensors to vehicles. Fleet operators need accurate data to maximize the efficiency of each vehicle and its driver. Using the same technology as BoxyMo, operators can track fleet productivity and gain deep insights into driver behavior and vehicle performance.” This allows for smarter route adjustments, guidance, and team investment opportunities that were previously impossible. Finally, these sensors can improve our environmental initiatives by managing speed, fuel availability, and more.
#2 Risk Response
Previously, there was no real way to predict road accidents before they occurred. For example, a missing manhole cover or a burst water pipe would cause a problem, which would then be reported and repaired by management agencies. But with the Internet of Things (IoT), every possible road condition can be monitored to address the risks. Faulty power lines, gas pipelines, water pipes, etc., won't escalate into a disaster before they are repaired. AI can guide support teams to potential hazards in real time, thus preventing most road problems from happening.
#3 Inter-vehicle communication
In addition to analyzing traffic patterns, pedestrian activity, and road conditions, vehicles can also communicate with each other. By sharing information such as their routes, travel destinations, vehicle status, and occupancy, intelligent navigation can skillfully and autonomously move vehicles throughout the network. This reduces potential human error during response. According to Frotcom, "Geolocation data will enable these connected vehicles to share each other's speed and location, thereby reducing collisions and emergency braking." This will significantly reduce road accidents.
