Team #21 // Smartace

Executive Summary

We present a platform that allows cities to manage public space from a new perspective by digitizing it.

Digitalization of public space concessions allow to dynamically adapt the layout of the streets of our cities according to the ever-changing needs. Nowadays, a clear example of the usage and need of a digital real-time solution are electric scooters. They are causing a chaos in the cities without city halls being able to control them, since it is not possible to know its real-time location precisely and if that coordinates they are in correspond to a city space (road, sidewalk, etc.) where they can be parked or drive at a specific speed.

With our solution, cities public space can change its usage and regulations dynamically when the regulator (city hall) modifies the system conditions. Any device or vehicle can be precisely tracked in the system (+-1cm) thanks to TAPAS high-accuracy positioning technology. Therefore, city halls can gain back the control over the public space and increase the safety for users as well as manage and optimize public space usage.

Transparency and accountability are also increased, users can check the public space usage from a smartphone app through a map or with augmented reality in the location where they are, so they can know exactly where are they allowed to park a vehicle, mount a food stall, etc., or simply check what is a space assigned to. On the other hand, regulators (city halls) can manage space usage through a web application in a centralized and clean way.

Problem

Cities are not in real-time control of their public spaces, therefore they miss the potential of using them in the best and safest way possible for all the users.

Recently, danish media DR was announcing upcoming regulation changes to tackle this increasing problem in big cities.

Target user / Customer

Our customers are city halls (or regulators of public space), but through an open source API citizens and 3rd party users could leverage from the real-time data updated by the city and adapt to the conditions at each time. For example, scooters companies could slow down its vehicles when they are in a pedestrian space or assign parking zones depending on the current conditions imposed by the regulator.

Your solution and how the concept is feasible

As a first step in the deployment of the solution, it is needed to digitize the public space of the city. Once the public space is mapped its usage can be changed to the web application.

A software as a service (SaaS) in the form of a web application allows the city hall to dynamically set public spaces usage and change or program changes according to the needs. The usage of either TAPAS or Galileo could be decided according to the precision needed (+-1cm with TAPAS or +-20cm with Galileo), but high precision positioning is needed to achieve accurate real-time space management.

In a future stage, the solution aims to save those resources dedicated to public space management bureaucratic processes by automating them through the usage of smart contracts between regulator and user.

The concept is feasible thanks to the city space mapping, the usage of the central system to allocate each space usage at a specific time and the real-time tracking of users. For the users or vehicles that have to be tracked in the system because they are in movement within the public space or want to book public space, it is required the usage of a tracking device compatible with TAPAS and Galileo technologies. Companies such as drotek electronics develop this kind of sensors.

Four unique value propositions

Savings for the city through digitized management of public spaces.
Flexible and dynamic change in the layout of public spaces.
Open data platform, anyone can use these data, bringing up transparency.
Integrated solution, many city users but one single system for them all.

Financials

Our solution is a software as a service (SaaS) sold to the city hall. It would consist of an initial payment to deploy the system and a monthly subscription for the software usage and support.

Impact

Our service helps cities gain back control of their public spaces through real time public space management. Thus providing an aid to serve their citizens and stakeholders according to the needs. Furthermore, digitalization and open source data means a step towards a transparent smart city.
From the citizens’ point of view transparency and easy access is the value our service provides.