Smart city measures desired to improve security

A study by ATG Access, which looks into the problems that could be solved through the adoption of smart city concepts, found that 66 per cent of people think that pedestrians would be better protected following the implementation of smart city measures.

The research also discovered that 39 per cent of people would like to see smart barrier solutions, which respond in real time, implemented. These work by isolating affected areas when an incident, like a terror-related attack, has taken place or by shutting down areas of a town or city if there is intelligence to suggest an incident is about to occur. A further 63 per cent of people would also like to see smart improvements to their local road systems to allow the emergency services to reach incidents faster.

Furthermore, 24 per cent of Brits would be willing to fund these smart barriers through their tax contributions. The research, part of ATG’s ‘Smart cities: Turning the dream into a reality’ report, also found that an overwhelming 46 per cent of Brits don’t always feel safe where they live, highlighting the need for better security measures.

Gavin Hepburn, managing director at ATG Access, the world’s leading innovator of road blocker, bollards and vehicle barrier systems, said: “The rise in terror attacks and violent crime within the UK has naturally led to an accompanying demand from the UK public for measures which can help better protect them.
 
“While traditional security measures are still sought, we are seeing a rise in demand for smart city solutions that use real time data to respond instantly. Should a security issue occur in a smart city, there are numerous ways responsive smart barriers and traffic light control can minimise the associated chaos and disruption and allow better access for the emergency services. But while these benefits are clear, more investment is needed before we start really seeing smart cities becoming a reality.”