Signify (Euronext: LIGHT) and Upciti, an expert in artificial intelligence and edge computing technology, have announced their intent to partner on intelligent street lighting, which the firms contend provides a strong foundation to make cities smart, livable and sustainable.
The companies say their partnership aim to help cities and utilities across the United States and Canada "get added value, well beyond illumination, from their lighting infrastructure."
By leveraging Signify’s road and street LED luminaires and Interact IoT connected lighting system and Upciti’s “privacy by design” edge computing image analysis sensors, the firms say cities can improve services like parking, whereby sensors can detect open spaces, communicate availability to drivers and assist them with navigation, reducing traffic congestion, supporting economic activity and even generating direct parking revenue.
Via the new technology partnership, cities can also support public safety. Sensors can help identify potential situations and alert emergency services in the event they are needed.
Sensors can also identify vehicle queue sizing on streets and understand public transportation and bike lane usage. With this data, the traffic flow can be adjusted and optimized in real time to reduce congestion and its contribution to carbon emissions.
Martin Stephenson, head of North American Systems & Services and president, Canada, for Signify, noted:
“With the US government’s historic, $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, it has never been a more opportune time for cities to leverage their street lighting infrastructure, to tackle some of their greatest challenges such as transportation, public safety and sustainability. Cities can reap immediate value from adding IoT and sensor technology, while laying the foundation for a larger transformation journey.”
Smarter street lighting infrastructure for New York’s state capital
As part of the New York Power Authority’s (NYPA) Smart Street Lighting program, NYPA recently engaged Signify through a competitive procurement process that enabled Albany to upgrade its nearly 11,000 streetlights to energy-efficient, connected LED luminaires.
The city also uses Signify’s Interact IoT system to monitor and manage the lights, helping it to be an energy-smart city.
Jesse Scott, director of projects, NYPA, said:
“Connected LED street lighting plays an important role in building smart city infrastructure. An early adopter, the City of Albany has realized tremendous energy and operational savings. We are thrilled with the prospect of piloting the sensor solution in Albany, so it can bring even more value for the city and residents. It will enable departments, from the parking authority to city planning, to make data-driven decisions to improve public safety, support future planning and improve communication infrastructure in disadvantaged communities.”
Via the offered platform, Signify and Upciti say city managers can aggregate and visualize sensor data in a single dashboard and gain actionable insights to improve the livability of their city. (The companies emphasize that their solution "follows the most stringent rules and practices to ensure citizens’ privacy; no images are stored or communicated.")
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan commented:
"Street lighting is not just for illuminating roads – the latest technology can help us create a more safe and equitable community. We have already reduced energy and carbon emissions and have saved millions in operating costs. We intend to continue utilizing city-wide infrastructure, so we can ensure a bright future for generations to come.”
Jean-Baptiste Poljak, founding president, Upciti, concluded:
“We are excited about the prospect of establishing a partnership with Signify and deploying our joint solution in Albany. The integration of our edge computing image analysis sensors with Signify’s Interact system will enable the city and others across North America to leverage their street lighting infrastructure to deliver new services and improve citizen quality of life while protecting their privacy."
