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1. Introduction
The vision of "Smart Cities" is the urban center of the future, made safe, secure environmentally
green, and efficient because all structures - whether for power, water, transportation, etc. are
designed, constructed, and maintained making use of advanced, integrated materials, sensors,
electronics, and networks which are interfaced with computerized systems comprised of
databases, tracking, and decision-making algorithms.
The research and engineering challenges along the way to this vision encompass many technical
fields including physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, computing science, systems,
mechanical, electronics and civil engineering. At the simplest level is the basic component and
its associated "feedback" or self-monitoring mechanism(s). Each must be identified or, if
already existing, tailored for the appropriate application. At the next level is the design of the
system making use of these components. Associated with this would be the interface to the
computerized "monitoring" capability for each given function. Next, is the full structure or
service supplied, and lastly, the integration of information across all related and seemingly
unrelated aspects of an urban centers essential infrastructure.
A city that monitors and integrates conditions of all of its critical infrastructures, including roads,
bridges, tunnels, rail/subways, airports, seaports, communications, water, power, even major
buildings, can better optimize its resources, plan its preventive maintenance activities, and
monitor security aspects while maximizing services to its citizens. Emergency response
management to both natural as well as man-made challenges to the system can be focused and
rapid. With advanced monitoring systems and built-in smart sensors, data can be collected and
evaluated in real time, enhancing city management's decision-making. For example, resources
can be committed prior to a water main break, salt spreading crews dispatched only when a
specific bridge has icing conditions, and use of inspectors reduced by knowing condition of life
of all structures.
In the long term Smart Cities vision, systems and structures will monitor their own conditions
and carry out self-repair, as needed. The physical environment, air, water, and surrounding
green spaces will be monitored in non-obtrusive ways for optimal quality, thus creating an
enhanced living and working environment that is clean, efficient, and secure and that offers these
advantages within the framework of the most effective use of all resources.
This paper discusses a current initiative being led by the Brookhaven National Laboratory to
create a research, development and deployment agenda that advances this vision. This is
anchored in the application of new technology to current urban center issues while looking 20
years into the future and conceptualizing a city framework that may exist.
2. Background
Recent developments in smart materials and smart structures can be classified under two
categories: those in which truly new materials are developed (that self sense and diagnose), and
those in which newer, smaller and more numerous micro sensors or optical systems are deployed
and interfaced with response systems. In the first category, developments such as improved1
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Hall, R.E.; Bowerman, B.; Braverman, J.; Taylor, J.; Todosow, H. & Von Wimmersperg, U. The vision of a smart city, article, September 28, 2000; Upton, New York. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc717101/m1/2/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.