How the Internet of ThingsOptimized Transportation

Created by Venkat Janapareddy

CarsToday, cars such as the Tesla S

electric sedan, there are many "smart

cars" on the road. These "smart cars"

offer many features such as advanced

navigation, running on electric instead

of gas, autopilot that helps you drive

and park, and sensors to detect if you

are falling asleep or need to slow

down. The Tesla constantly sends data

back to the company's engineers so

that they can improve the product all

the time. New technologically

advanced cars such as this one are

coming out on the market all the time.

RoadsSensors, which are powerful,

compact, low-power, and wireless,

are also being installed in our roads.

They are measuring things like

changes in temperature, traffic

volume, humidity as well as other

traffic and weather conditions. All

of this data will allow authorities to

provide real time information about

traffic and road conditions to

drivers. All of these little, what

seem like insignificant sensors, will

make our lives safer and easier.

PlanesAirplanes are currently equipped with many sensors and

smart devices to help maintain the plane. Sensors on planes

collect data on fuel efficiency, altitude, location, and

maintenance issues. This data is wirelessly transmitted to

both the pilots and workers on the ground so that they can be

ready to service the plane in whatever way is necessary even

before the plane lands. As a result, flight delays and

cancellations have been significantly decreased.

TrainsAs with planes, many trains are

being installed with sensors to tell

workers if the train needs

maintenance or are in threat of a

nearby landslide or flooding. In

New York City, sensors have been

installed on the tracks so that we

know exactly where trains are,

which means that the gaps

between trains don’t have to be as

large. This allows more trains to

run on the busy route- up to 26 per

hour, instead of only 15.

BoatsShipping is also hopping on the IoT bandwagon. Trucks used to

have to wait around at busy ports for the ships with their

cargo to get in. Now, many of the 9 million containers moving

through ports transmit and constantly update their precise

arrival times so that trucks can plan to be there just in time.

Another system allows trucks to even book a parking spot, so

they don’t have to drive around searching for one.

The Internet of Things has significantly improved our

transportation in the last few years. With every

transportation industry starting to implement these

technologies more and more we will see even better

improvements in our transportation. Our everyday

movement from place to place will become safer, easier

and more efficient right before our eyes.