Page 50 - Security Today, March/April 2025

S M A R T C I T I E S
“With projections indicating that nearly
70% of the world’s population will live
in urban areas by 2050, the need for
smart, connected infrastructure has
never been more pressing.”
formative benefi ts for urban operations. Real-time data analysis
and automation empower cities to respond swiftly to emerging situ-
ations, optimize resource allocation, and reduce operational costs.
Enhanced public safety. Real-time monitoring, automated
alerts, and AI-driven analytics improve law enforcement response
and proactively address potential security threats.
Optimized traffi c management. Integrating traffi c cameras,
sensors, and analytics reduces congestion, enhances public trans-
portation, and improves urban mobility.
Infrastructure monitoring. Continuous oversight of utilities
and critical infrastructure ensures optimal performance and early
issue detection.
Environmental management. Sensors tracking air quality and
water levels help inform sustainable policies and practices.
Resource optimization. Smart monitoring enables better allo-
cation of city personnel and equipment, minimizing waste and
improving services.
Emergency response coordination. Centralized systems stream-
line communication and data sharing, enabling faster and more
effective responses to emergencies and natural disasters.
By serving as a centralized hub for data and analytics, an open
platform VMS enhances infrastructure monitoring, streamlines
urban management, and empowers cities to operate more effi -
ciently, sustainably, and securely. Whether integrating with BMS,
SCADA/PLCs, or IoT devices, this technology drives the evolu-
tion of smarter, more resilient urban environments.
TRANSFORMING URBAN OPERATIONS
THROUGH TECHNOLOGY
The practical impact of integrated smart city technologies is al-
ready revolutionizing urban operations worldwide. In Vicente
López, near Buenos Aires, the implementation of data-driven
video solutions with advanced analytics has transformed public
safety operations. The city’s system automatically detects suspi-
cious behaviors, monitors traffi c patterns, and alerts authorities to
potential security threats in real time, enabling a shift from reactive
to initiative-taking safety measures.
This approach includes automated monitoring of crowding
and loitering in public areas, speed analysis for traffi c manage-
ment, detection of stopped vehicles in restricted areas, and identi-
fi cation of wrong-way drivers on one-way streets. The system also
checks for abandoned objects in public buildings and potential
perimeter breaches, creating a comprehensive security environ-
ment that has signifi cantly improved public safety outcomes.
The integration of behavior analysis algorithms has enabled
the system to learn from historical data, helping fi nd patterns that
5 0 might indicate potential criminal activity before it occurs. This
predictive capability has proven particularly valuable in high-
traffi c areas and during major public events.
Similarly, in Hobart, Australia, the city’s integrated system
combines license plate recognition, pedestrian monitoring, and
environmental sensors to optimize everything from parking man-
agement to public lighting control. The implementation of these
technologies has transformed the city’s security network into a
comprehensive smart city platform that delivers multiple benefi ts
beyond traditional surveillance.
The system’s success has led to expanded applications, including
automated fl ood monitoring through integrated water level sensors
and smart waste management through fi ll-level sensors in public
waste bins. These additional capabilities prove how initially security-
focused systems can evolve to address broader urban management
challenges, creating a more effi cient and responsive city infrastructure.
LOOKING AHEAD: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
As technology continues to advance, the future of smart cities
looks increasingly promising. Innovations in 5G connectivity, ar-
tifi cial intelligence, and cybersecurity will signifi cantly shape the
smart cities of tomorrow. The rollout of 5G networks will pro-
vide faster, more reliable connectivity for IoT devices and edge
computing applications, enabling cities to deploy more advanced
sensors and analytics for greater insights into urban operations.
However, cities must address signifi cant challenges as they em-
brace these technologies. Cybersecurity is still a critical concern,
requiring robust measures to protect against threats and ensure
the privacy of citizen data.
Additionally, cities must carefully plan their infrastructure in-
vestments to ensure scalability and fl exibility for future growth
and technological advancement. This includes developing strat-
egies for managing the increasing volume of data generated by
smart city systems and ensuring that all technological implemen-
tations align with citizens’ needs and privacy concerns.
The success of smart city initiatives ultimately depends on the
robust integration of compute power and network infrastructure.
These fundamental elements enable the transformation of raw data
from countless sensors and devices into actionable insights that drive
meaningful improvements in city operations and citizen services.
As urban populations continue to grow, the integration of IoT
technology and open platform VMS will become increasingly vi-
tal for effective city management. From enhancing public safety
and improving traffi c fl ow to monitoring environmental condi-
tions and optimizing resource allocation, these systems provide
the foundation for smarter, more responsive urban environments.
By embracing these technologies and ensur-
ing proper infrastructure support, cities can
build sustainable, effi cient and livable urban
spaces that serve the needs of current and fu-
ture generations.
Mark Johnson is the business development
manager at Milestone Systems.
M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 2 5 | S E C U R I T Y T O D A Y