If you’ve recently joined a telehealth call, purchased the newest smartphone, or driven an autonomous vehicle, then you’ve already reaped the benefits of the 5G world. The 5th Generation mobile network, also known as “5G,” is the newest global wireless standard used to digitally integrate society on one single platform. 5G operates to seamlessly connect all machines, objects, and devices at high-performing speed.
With 5G, the future of urban mobility will see a major improvement through an upgraded digital infrastructure, allowing us to move faster and more efficiently from one place to the next.
5G will help control the flow of traffic
The possibilities of 5G are endless when it comes to urban mobility. For starters, the network has the potential to decrease traffic on the roads and improve the flow of vehicles. Smart traffic lights and digital billboards are two essential technologies being implemented in major cities worldwide – both proven to reduce traffic and enhance the overall driving experience. Through the use of cameras and sensors, these systems are adjusted in real-time based on traffic patterns, which helps to guarantee faster and safer commute times. In fact, a study by Carnegie Mellon University in the City of Pittsburgh showed that smart traffic lights resulted in a 40% decrease in vehicle wait time on the road, a 26% faster commute, and 21% decrease in gas emissions.
Automation is the way of the future
Smart cities are currently in the process of making small but significant changes to bring driverless vehicles to their area. The biggest advantage of 5G is the influx of real-time data it’s able to process and use to make strategic decisions. For autonomous vehicles in particular, car-to-car communication is required for them to operate safely, including high-tech camera systems and sensors to connect with other cars and traffic lights.
In 2017, South Korea launched K-city, a 320,000 square meter unpopulated testbed for autonomous cars, where they mock situations such as disrupted GPS signals, connection failures, and congested roads. K-city also includes robotic pedestrians and an “extreme weather” simulation to make the testing process as realistic as possible. Using K-city as an example, smart cities around the world can better understand what 5G is capable of and what this means for the future of urban mobility.
At Roker, our cloud-based parking platform is powered by smart technology, including 5G. To learn more about the smart technologies we leverage to best serve you, click here.
