In an innovative collaboration, Actility and Cicicom have joined forces to convert Paros into what is being termed Europe’s first smart island. The partnership has seen the introduction of a comprehensive LoRaWAN IoT network, which is set to transform urban mobility and enhance the day-to-day experience of the city’s residents and visitors.
Paros now features an independent LoRaWAN network, facilitating connectivity for all digital devices within the island’s smart city initiatives. Powered by Actility’s ThingPark Enterprise, this infrastructure is pivotal in providing real-time data to the community on various aspects of daily life, including tracking available parking spaces and monitoring home water usage, as well as environmental factors such as temperature and air quality.
The sophisticated ThingPark Enterprise platform is pivotal in the management of LoRaWAN connectivity, enabling customers to control network gateways, integrate new devices, and oversee network operations securely and efficiently.
To address the significant urban challenge of parking in Paros, Cicicom introduced its Smart Parking system, initially deploying 150 parking sensors around the port area. These sensors, part of Cicicom’s European-designed S-LG-I3 model, not only boast a 99% detection accuracy but also feature extended battery life and the capability to recognise vehicles via identification tags.
Samios Thanasis, Paros Deputy Mayor, expressed his enthusiasm for the project: “Cicicom’s revolutionary Smart Parking solution, powered by LoRaWAN technology, positions Paros at the vanguard of smart city development. With live parking information at our fingertips, we anticipate marked improvements in traffic management and a new milestone in our environmental sustainability efforts. This initiative will simplify parking and improve the overall experience for users while decreasing traffic congestion.”
Dr.-Ing. Nikolaos Bissias, CEO of Cicicom, stated: “Our partnership with Actility represents a significant stride in urban mobility innovation. Cicicom’s Smart Parking solution exemplifies the excellence of European engineering and the potential within the IoT sector to harness LoRaWAN technology. Our project to transform Paros into a smart island is a clear indication of our commitment to integrating efficient solutions that pave the way for smarter, more sustainable urban living.”
Olivier Hersent, CEO of Actility, commented on the collaboration: “Our joint venture with Cicicom in Paros is a testament to the transformative potential of IoT in community reshaping. It’s about elevating the quality of life for both residents and visitors. With LoRaWAN technology, Paros is establishing a benchmark for digital transformation across Europe.”
The manifold benefits of Cicicom’s Smart Parking system include real-time parking availability information, reduced vehicle emissions through improved traffic flow, and strategic data to inform municipal planning. Recognised for its innovation, Cicicom’s solution has received multiple accolades, confirming its impactful role in the IoT landscape.
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