This article is a guest post by Jane Marsh, Editor-in-chief of Environment.co. All views/opinions/suggestions are that of the guest writer. This Website may or may not subscribe to them.
Transportation has long been a primary target for sustainability movements, and it’s easy to see why. The sector accounts for 28.2% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the US, for more than any other category. This is a complex issue with many influencing factors, but the IoT can help address it.
The IoT has had proven sustainability benefits in fields like manufacturing, and it can do the same for transportation. IoT devices can improve virtually every area of the sector, from everyday commutes to airport electricity consumption. Here’s how that can happen:
Improving Navigation
The logistics sector is one of the most emissions-heavy areas of transportation. Trucking alone produces roughly 1.6 billion tons of CO2 every year. One of the primary ways the IoT can help reduce these emissions is through improved navigation.
IoT devices in a fleet communicate information about traffic and weather in real-time between vehicles. With this information, smart navigation systems can adjust routes to ensure trucks experience as few delays as possible. And because vehicles won’t be on the road for as long, they’ll emit fewer emissions.
Optimizing Maintenance
Maintenance is an often-overlooked aspect of sustainability in vehicles. Engines are more efficient when they’re in good condition, so preventing breakdowns and fixing issues early can prevent higher emissions. The IoT can help in this area by providing the data needed to create less wasteful, more effective maintenance practices.
Many fleets today rely on preventive maintenance, which involves tending to machines on a schedule to prevent breakdowns. IoT devices enable predictive maintenance instead, which uses data to predict when a vehicle will need repair. This data-based approach prevents breakdowns just as, if not more, effectively and avoids any unnecessary repairs.
Engines aren’t the only part of a vehicle that needs maintenance to preserve fuel efficiency. For example, improperly aligned or inflated tires can increase rolling resistance, which lowers fuel economy. IoT sensors can detect all of these issues, helping prevent excessive emissions.
Monitoring Energy Use
Driving isn’t the only source of emissions in the transportation sector. Facilities like car factories, train stations, and airports all use a considerable amount of electricity. Since most electricity comes from fossil fuels, this energy consumption contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
IoT devices can help these facilities monitor and minimize their energy use. Industrial IoT sensors can adjust systems to use as little power as possible, just as smart thermostats do for homes. These seemingly minor adjustments can add up to considerable energy savings over time.
If facilities use these IoT sensors with predictive analytics engines, they could see how to make operations more sustainable. For example, analytics could reveal what types of carbon offsets to invest in. These certificates, which represent the reduction of 2,205 pounds of CO2, can mitigate the impact of a facility’s emissions.
Creating Connected Roads
One of the most exciting developments in the IoT for transportation is the concept of smart cities. If infrastructure like stop lights throughout a city had IoT connectivity, it could revolutionize navigation. This network of devices could detect traffic patterns and communicate with vehicles’ navigation systems, optimizing everyone’s route and preventing congestion.
Reducing traffic jams would have a substantial impact on emissions. Removing idling time would be equivalent to taking 1.6 million cars off the road. That, combined with the reduced driving time from better navigation, would make city transportation far more sustainable.
Green Transportation Needs the IoT
For transportation to become truly sustainable, zero-emissions vehicles must replace fossil fuel-powered ones. Achieving that goal will take years, so transportation must take other paths to reduce emissions in the meantime. The IoT gives the transportation sector the tools it needs to do so.
Some of these IoT applications have already started to influence transportation, and others are close to becoming a reality. As IoT adoption in transportation keeps rising, the world will become a greener place.
About The Author
Jane Marsh works as the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Environment.co. She covers topics on energy and green technology.
Image by Benjamin Wiens from Pixabay