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The applications of the Internet of Things (IoT) technologies connect multiple devices directly and through the Internet. Autonomous vehicles utilise connectivity when updating their algorithms based on user data, interact with the infrastructure to get environmental information, communicate with other vehicles. They exchange information with pedestrians using mobile devices and wearables and provide information about the traffic attributes and data collected by the vehicle sensors. The connected and automated vehicles (CAV) require a significant quantity of collecting and processing data and through IoT applications and services the autonomous vehicles share information about the road, the present path, traffic, and how to navigate around different obstacles. This information can be shared between IoT connected vehicles and uploaded wirelessly to the cloud or/and edge system to be analysed and operated improving the levels of automation and the autonomous driving (AD) functions of each vehicle. This chapter gives an overview of the integration of IoT devices contributing to automated/autonomous driving, and the IoT infrastructure deployed and seamlessly integrated into the AUTOPILOT project use cases and pilot demonstrators, including the IoT platforms integration.

Abstract Transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is among public policy measures to reduce carbon emissions from the transport sector in Ireland. While EV adoption rates are increasing there is broad scepticism about achieving ambitious national policy targets. We employ microdata on commuting behaviour and different assumptions on the profile of adopters and purpose of vehicle use, based on existing literature, to identify clusters of candidates for transition to EV in Ireland. We estimate that depending on the Assumption 17% to 42% of vehicle owners could comfortably switch to EV. High density areas of potential candidates for transition to EVs are identified in specific urban areas such as Cork and Dublin cities. We also find between 2 to 37% reduction in emissions from car owners based on the different set of assumptions we employ. While the per unit emission reduction in rural areas is higher, the aggregate emission reduction that can be achieved is higher in urban areas because of the higher density of candidates for transition in such areas as per our analysis. We show that apart from Dublin, urban areas are lacking when it comes to density of charging infrastructure.

In China, environmental pollution due to municipal solid waste (MSW) over-generation is one of the country’s priority concerns. The increasing volume and complexity of the waste poses serious risks to the environment and public health. Currently, the annual growth of MSW generation is estimated to be approximately 8–10% and will increase to 323 million metric tons (Mt) by 2030. Based on the secondary data collected from a literature survey, this article critically evaluates the recent progress of MSW management (MSWM) in China and offers new insights into the waste sector in the era of Industry 4.0. This helps decision makers in China to plan a smooth transition nationwide to a circular economy (CE) in the waste sector. It is evident that digitalization is a driving force for China to move towards low-carbon development strategies within the framework of CE. Through digitalization, the waste sector has promoted prevention, reduction, reuse, and recycling (3Rs) of waste before waste disposal in landfills. A proper implementation of digitalization-based waste recycling has contributed to an efficient cooperation between the government and private sector, increased job opportunities, and promoted the conservation of resources. It is anticipated that this work not only contributes to the establishment of an integrated MSWM system in China, but also improves local MSWM through digitalization in the framework of a CE.

Urban regions worldwide revert to scenario-based simulations to understand and cope with uncertain land-use changes and future land-use demands. Whereas scenarios account for a variety of driving forces to simulate land change, spatial planning has received limited attention. To improve understanding of the potential contribution of planning to urban land change, we developed and simulated scenarios of development for Bucharest, addressing the local scale, and Bucharest-Ilfov Development Region, addressing the regional scale. The designed scenarios reflect (i) expected future land-use demands for living space, built-up areas, green space and agricultural areas, and (ii) statutory and strategic planning intentions extracted from four spatial plans and weighted based on expert opinion. All scenarios, alongside natural and socioeconomic driving forces, were simulated for both the local and the regional scales using the CLUMondo land-change model. Findings show that all future demands can be met under all scenarios, but that planning will make little contribution. Moreover, simulations highlight that integrating strategic planning intentions would produce a higher loss of agricultural lands than simulations with statutory planning intentions. Consequences of our findings for the role of planning in driving land change at various scales in multi-level planning systems are discussed. Sustainable Cities and Society, 76 ISSN:2210-6707

As projections highlight that half of the global population will be living in regions facing severe water scarcity by 2050, sustainable water management policies and practices are more imperative than ever. Following the Sustainable Development Goals for equitable water access and prudent use of natural resources, emerging digital technologies may foster efficient monitoring, control, optimization, and forecasting of freshwater consumption and pollution. Indicatively, the use of sensors, Internet of Things, machine learning, and big data analytics has been catalyzing smart water management. With two-thirds of the global population to be living in urban areas by 2050, this research focuses on the impact of digitization on sustainable urban water management. More specifically, existing scientific literature studies were explored for providing meaningful insights on smart water technologies implemented in urban contexts, emphasizing supply and distribution networks. The review analysis outcomes were classified according to three main pillars identified: (i) level of analysis (i.e., municipal or residential/industrial); (ii) technology used (e.g., sensors, algorithms); and (iii) research scope/focus (e.g., monitoring, optimization), with the use of a systematic approach. Overall, this study is expected to act as a methodological tool and guiding map of the most pertinent state-of-the-art research efforts to integrate digitalization in the field of water stewardship and improve urban sustainability.

Abstract Governments worldwide have made a significant financial commitment to combat increasing traffic congestion and ageing transport networks over the next decade. However, large-scale transport projects are often late, over-budget, and below quality, making it difficult to future-proof assets and accommodate unanticipated changes. Evidence indicates that the traditional procurement model for large-scale projects used by Australian State Governments, for example, fails to deliver expected benefits. Markedly, a focused policy-making pathway is absent, especially for future-proofing these complex projects. Hence, the need to move away from a prevailing ‘understand, reduce, respond’ to a more adequate ‘understand, embrace, adapt’ attitude towards complexity and uncertainty in project procurement. The enabling functions of asset management, digitization, delivery, and finance might help. However, little is known about how they can coalesce to form a policy-making pathway to provide governments value for money outcomes and ensure assets are future-proofed. In this paper, we fill this void by reviewing the normative literature and proposing a conceptual approach. The issues we examine are of the utmost interest to governments worldwide as they grapple with designing, constructing, operating and maintaining transport assets that are both resilient to unexpected events and adaptable to changing needs, uses or capacities including climate change.

This work established a framework to identify and analyze the technical feasibility of roofs for integrating urban agriculture, rainwater harvesting, and photovoltaic systems using various remote sensing. The framework was applied to a region north of Barcelona. Three levels of solar access requirements for tomatoes, leafy crops, strawberries, and microgreens were established. The case study included compact and disperse urban forms, residential and nonresidential building uses and various building typologies. It was identified that 8% of the roof area is feasible for tomato and lettuce production, and production could satisfy the 210% of average intake of tomatoes and the 21% average yearly consumption of lettuce. Rainwater harvesting systems could supply 94.26% of the water requirements for lettuce growing in an open-air system; in contrast, 53% of irrigation could be satisfied for tomato production in rooftop greenhouse systems. The results showed a potential for 80% of roof area to be used for rainwater harvesting systems, representing the average yearly water consumption of 44% of citizens for laundry, showering, toilet flushing, cleaning and irrigation uses. Finally, 50% of the roofs are suitable for photovoltaic panels, representing an average energy consumption of 18% of citizens. Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu CEX2019-000940-M Altres ajuts: acords transformatius de la UAB