Digi-Tel smart city platform eases access to municipal services
Tel Aviv’s core smart city project is Digi-Tel, a platform that provides personalized access to services and information via email, text messages, a tailored website, and a tailored mobile app.
The information provided by this platform is relevant to the citizens, as it takes into account their location, interests, needs, and other personal attributes. Digi-Tel creates a connection between the city and its residents by alerting them about neighborhood road works, showing them the nearest bike-sharing station, or offering discounts to cultural events, among other useful information. The platform also promotes active participation, as residents can report on anything from activities and events to city obstacles or hazards. In addition to Digi-Tel, the city has several smart service projects areas such as smart traffic management, safety and security, emergency management, and parking. Many of these services are provided through partnerships with local startup technology companies.
All of Tel Aviv’s smart city services are based on a connected set of information sources and systems. The city has developed advanced solutions for urban administration and, more importantly, civic engagement, that can inspire continuous improvement through public–private partnerships.
Tel Aviv’s smart city services can be divided into three main groups of activities. The first is citizen engagement, which includes the array of tools and services under the umbrella of the Digi-Tel initiative. The second is deployment of smart infrastructure in several areas, including security, public wireless communications (Wi-Fi), crisis management, and transportation. The third is the group of services that comprise an ecosystem of startups, private companies, and civil society.
In the transportation field, Tel Aviv is focusing on specific issues such as managing day-to-day traffic, reducing private vehicle use, and tackling the scarcity of parking places.
In the traffic control area, the city operates an integrated traffic control center, from which it oversees traffic flow, which allow authorities to solve immediate issues. The center uses an automated system, Avivim, developed in collaboration with Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, to oversee the city’s traffic flow. The system uses data collected from vehicle volume sensors, traffic cameras, and third-party systems such as Waze, to automatically or manually set traffic policies for traffic lights or to intervene with traffic in other ways.
The city provides several services designed to better use parking infrastructure and increase revenue from parking services. First, it allows drivers to pay for municipal parking on the sidewalk and in public parking facilities through collaboration with two companies.
Also, all municipally owned parking lots share data about the number and location of available spots. The data are displayed on smart signs in the city and are publicly available via iView GIS and through mobile apps.
Tel Aviv’s municipal government and other entities provide several information systems that support public transportation commuters. The Ministry of Transportation has deployed information screens at over 100 transit stops around the city. These stations, powered by solar energy, show when the next buses will arrive at the station according to real-time GPS data.
The city has also deployed a number of smart city initiatives in other areas including emergency response, safety and citizen security, environment and energy efficiency.
