- The city would be the testing ground where the pilot research project would be helping in improving its infrastructure.
- The project, called the Smart City Accelerator Research Program, would be utilizing IBM’s data & analytics technology and Bell’s broadband networks.
The Canadian city of Markham has reportedly announced that it has teamed up with American IT giant, IBM and Canadian Telecommunications firm Bell Canada (Bell) to launch a new smart city pilot research project to improve the city’s infrastructure.
Reports cite, the project, dubbed the Smart City Accelerator Research Program, would be utilizing IBM’s data analytics technology as well as Bell’s broadband networks to improve infrastructure and monitor flooding & water flow across the city.
According to a report by the Financial Post, the research program would be spanning over a period of six months. The project would primarily be focusing on the background processes that are designed to carry out things such as detecting storm related flooding, leaks in the water pipelines, the amount of energy utilized by city buildings as well as remote tracking of the city equipment.
Under the project, various municipality-owned equipment & buildings would be equipped with IBM sensors that would constantly be monitoring & collecting data from them to better manage the city. For instance, sensors placed on the water hydrants & mains would be able to facilitate real-time information regarding the conditions of the city’s water system.
Moreover, other sensors that measure humidity & temperature would be helping authorities to make better decisions on how to optimally manage the city’s facilities & operations. Meanwhile, the sensors placed in the rivers & on manhole covers would allow the city to keep tabs on the water levels as well as manage flood risks in a better way.
According to reports, Markham would be putting in over $200,000 into the pilot project, which is set to begin by the 1st of May 2019.