African Bus Routes Redrawn Using Cell-Phone Data | MIT Technology Review
Researchers at IBM, using movement data collected from millions of cell-phone users in Ivory Coast in West Africa, have developed a new model for optimizing an urban transportation system.
The IBM model prescribed changes in bus routes around the around Abidjan, the nation’s largest city. These changes—based on people’s movements as discerned from cell-phone records—could, in theory, slash travel times 10 percent.
Cities are finding useful ways of handling a torrent of data | The Economist
Many cities around the country are accumulating data faster than they know what to do with. One approach is to give them to the public. For example, San Francisco, New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Chicago are or soon will be sharing the grades that health inspectors give to restaurants with an online restaurant directory.
Creating a More Efficient Streamlined Government with Citizen Collaboration | Citizen IBM
The ever-growing pace of urbanization brings many challenges to government organizations, including increased demands for services with reduced sources of revenue, and calls for more accountability, openness and transparency. Forward thinking public sector leaders know that they can – and must – convene the right people, technologies and strategies to support growth and prosperity. Simultaneously, they also must ensure a safe and healthy environment in which their citizens may enjoy a high quality of life.
Enabling growth and prosperity requires collaboration – across boundaries and among organizations and departments – in ways that might have been previously unthinkable. Technological improvements are enabling governments to share not only big machines like backhoes and emergency vehicles, but also services, big data analytics and computing capabilities.
Predicting crime with 21st century tools and experience | SmartPlanet
Law enforcement has been built on a core tenant: Bad guys break the law and good guys try to catch them. It’s a pretty basic, but effective approach especially when you consider that law enforcement agencies continue to see reductions in crime. The challenge is that this approach continues to prove that it’s time consuming and expensive.
But what if law enforcement agencies were able to prevent crime all together? Well, maybe not all together, but put a significant dent in preventing crime … in other words, predictive policing.
How a Smarter City Works?
Spot crime before it occurs
Using Big Data Analytics to Save Lives
World Water Day: IBM Launches WaterWatchers Mobile App in South Africa | A Smarter Planet Blog
South Africa suffers from a critical water problem. It’s one of the driest places on earth, with average annual rainfall of just 45.7 cm, half the global number. South Africa ranks 148 out of 180 countries for water availability per capita, according to the United Nations World Water Development Report 2012. At the same time, in South African municipalities, an average of 37% of the water pushed through public water systems is lost via leaks or pilferage.
WaterWatchers takes advantage of the rapid spread of mobile phones in South Africa, where just about every adult now owns a hand set. Using the application, people take photos and answer three simple questions about water problems they observe. Then they SMS the information to a central database. All of the messages are stored and analyzed to help municipal authorities spot problems, dispatch repair crews and set maintenance priorities.
How Big Data Can Boost Weather Forecasting | Smarter Planet Blog
Last September, when Typhoon Sanba smashed into the Korean peninsula, it packed winds so strong that they sent rocks flying through the air like missiles and caused massive power outages.
Increasing evidence of climate change worldwide is prompting governments and scientists to take action to protect people and property from its effects.
IBM Research scientists are taking the lead in bringing the most sophisticated data analytics to bear on weather forecasting. Their long-term weather analysis project, called Deep Thunder, combines data with sophisticated mathematical algorithms and computing power.
Better use of public safety data can revive local economies | The Guardian
More efficient use of data can improve safety and security, making communities more attractive places to live and do business. Politicians and citizens alike consistently rank safety and security as a high priority. Good policing, emergency services and disaster response plans help communities to thrive and develop, and in a time of economic recovery can have a significant impact on citizens’ wellbeing.
