How sensors and digital twins are shaping Geelong smart priorities

The smart city framework outlines various priority and focus areas that define where the city will allocate its resources and the role of the smart city office. For instance, while our smart city strategy doesn’t heavily feature net-zero goals, as those targets are captured in other documents, we work collaboratively with other areas of the city and council to ensure a cohesive approach. This approach allows us to avoid duplicating efforts and leverage existing responsibilities and initiatives.

Within the smart city office, we have identified key focus areas. Connected communities, digital inclusion, and digital equity are important aspects of our strategy. We aim to foster innovation by forming strategic partnerships.

Additionally, harnessing data is a major component of our initiatives. Geelong already has a significant number of sensors deployed throughout the city, and we recognise that the true value of these sensors lies in utilising the data they collect to create intelligent spaces.

Digital infrastructure is another priority for us, which includes optical fibre networks, 5G connectivity, data centres, and other essential components. One of our flagship projects is the Smarter Suburbs programme, a complex, multi-year initiative. It involves laying trunk optical fibre and installing approximately 55 smart nodes or poles across the city. These nodes connect to the fibre network and provide public wifi, 5G, IoT networking, and various sensor capabilities. Depending on the location, these sensors may include pedestrian counters, air quality monitors, and other customised features such as phone chargers.

“Geelong also recognises the importance of digital inclusion and ensuring that all residents, especially those who haven’t grown up with digital technologies, are brought along on the smart city journey”

Overall, Geelong’s smart city framework encompasses a wide range of initiatives aimed at creating a connected, innovative, and technologically advanced city. Through strategic planning, collaboration, and the deployment of cutting-edge technologies, we strive to improve the lives of our residents and enhance the overall urban experience in Geelong.

SCW: How is technology helping specifically to improve some of the big societal issues that are becoming more and more evident in cities?

AM: The Smarter Suburbs programme primarily targeted areas that were experiencing challenges with digital connectivity. It was evident that the quality of digital infrastructure in those regions was lower compared to the rest of the city. Geelong, being a traditionally manufacturing-focused region, aimed to future-proof itself for advanced manufacturing and accommodate the changing demands of industries moving into the city. For instance, there was a significant focus on defence construction, smart water initiatives, robotics, and secure data connections to support activities such as armoured vehicle manufacturing.

Geelong also recognises the importance of digital inclusion and ensuring that all residents, especially those who haven’t grown up with digital technologies, are brought along on the smart city journey. The city maintains close relationships with its libraries, which actively contribute to digital inclusion efforts. Additionally, enhancing accessibility within the city is a priority, utilising digital technologies to assist people with mobility challenges, such as mapping technologies for the frail or wheelchair-bound individuals, enabling them to navigate and maximise their experience in the city.

Resilience is another crucial aspect being addressed by Geelong’s smart city initiatives. With the growing concerns around climate change, the city is leveraging sensors to monitor and respond to hyperlocal conditions. For example, Geelong employs smart city solutions to analyse tree canopy coverage to mitigate heat island effects. Furthermore, the city is exploring innovative approaches to preserve its threatened and endangered species. By deploying weather sensors in trees and activating misting systems when temperatures reach 40 degrees Celsius, Geelong aims to cool down their habitats and safeguard their survival. Similarly, the city is implementing solutions to manage stormwater systems and support the needs of other parts of the city’s biodiversity.

These initiatives not only demonstrate the impact of technology on environmental conservation but also serve as compelling examples to engage citizens in urban innovation. By showcasing tangible outcomes and practical applications, Geelong fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation for the benefits of smart city solutions beyond buzzwords. The involvement of citizens in protecting critical aspects of biodiversity further strengthens the sense of community ownership and collaboration in Geelong’s urban development efforts.

SCW: You mentioned your previous work with digital twins – is this something you’re also looking to bring into Geelong as well?

AM: For a city, you have to consider spatial digital twins or digital twins on a larger scale, rather than solely focusing on the origins of the concept, which are rooted in manufacturing and aerospace industries. It’s important to note that a digital twin is not merely a 3D model but a digital representation that combines sensory data and spatial information. This approach allows for effective compartmentalisation of the smart city project, ensuring that the use cases are targeted to provide value.

“Through the Digital Twin Victoria programme, the state government has provided fundamental datasets and frameworks to support the development of specific digital twins”

In the case of Geelong, we had not previously invested in extensive 3D models, apart from point clouds and some building models in the central business district. However, the adoption of digital twins at a broader spatial scale has gained momentum, particularly in the UK, due to the removal of cost barriers. For cities like Geelong, the critical factor has been the investment made by the state government in key datasets. These include terrain models, photo meshes, satellite imagery, and machine learning projects. Local councils often face challenges in accessing skilled staff and expertise in these areas, as the demand for such skills is high. Additionally, some councils are too small to undertake these initiatives independently.

Through the Digital Twin Victoria programme, the state government has provided fundamental datasets and frameworks to support the development of specific digital twins, such as Geelong’s digital twin or even more localised models for the main CBD and suburban areas. This investment has been crucial for many cities, as they would not have been able to undertake these projects on their own. It’s worth noting that there is also a Digital Atlas programme at the federal level, which contributes to the investment in various data sets and automation components, further enhancing the capabilities of digital twin initiatives.

SCW: Do you think that’s the optimum way to get digital twin technology into municipalities, starting at the federal or state level and then filtering down? How can municipal digital twins be interoperable with those at other levels of government?

AM: There are numerous benefits to adopting digital twins in this manner. One significant advantage is data consistency. Let’s take the example of a terrain model within a digital twin. In a digital twin, which is essentially a three-dimensional representation, we can consider it as a geographic information system (GIS). If the terrain model is accurate to a range of five to 10 metres, mapping underground infrastructure like stormwater pipes becomes challenging. The likelihood of the stormwater pipe being accurately displayed underground in the digital twin is relatively low.

“In many smart city projects, I believe there is an underutilisation of sensors and the valuable insights they can provide”

To address this issue, we have made consistent investments in core products such as terrain models and building models. We have precise information regarding the capture dates of these models. By utilising the expertise of skilled professionals, we can accurately model trees and other elements within the digital twin. These investments ensure that the digital twin maintains data consistency, offering significant benefits for various applications.

We have established data sharing agreements with the state government to facilitate the transfer of data. This includes obtaining high-accuracy lidar data, which is crucial for our digital twin initiatives. In addition to the sensors owned by the council, we have partnered with other organisations that contribute to the sensor network deployed throughout the city. To manage and showcase this data, we utilise a platform called OpenDataSoft, which allows us to store and display the information effectively.

To enhance the capabilities of our digital twin, we have collaborated with the state government to integrate their digital twin platform with OpenDataSoft. This integration enables us to display real-time data from various sources, such as smart parking systems, smart bins, weather sensors, and other sensors installed in trees, within the digital twin platform. We have invested significant effort in establishing a robust API connection between the two platforms, ensuring seamless data integration.

Moving forward, we are considering leveraging the state-provided digital twin platform as our primary solution within the council. While we will maintain our internal GIS system, utilising the digital twin platform for specific applications, such as planning assessments and community engagement, offers unique advantages and aligns with our digital twin strategy.

SCW: Outside of digital twins, what other connectivity trends are you seeing for smart cities, and how is that informing your work in Geelong?

AM: In many smart city projects, I believe there is an under-utilisation of sensors and the valuable insights they can provide. I can share an example from my experience at the city of Wyndham, where we faced a challenge with ensuring the cleanliness of our public barbecues. We had no way of tracking whether they were being cleaned regularly, so we decided to install sensors on the barbecues to provide us with that simple data. The sensors also alerted us when the barbecues were not functioning properly, enabling us to address maintenance issues promptly.

As we saw the potential of the sensor data, one of our elected officials suggested using it to inform the community about the availability of the barbecues. This way, people would not arrive with their picnic baskets only to find the barbecues unusable. We created a live dashboard to display this information, but what became truly fascinating was the additional insights we gained. We discovered that the barbecues were being used even in the middle of winter and during the late hours of the night.

“By leveraging existing investments and exploring new avenues, we are dedicated to extracting the full potential of our sensor network to enhance the capabilities of Geelong as a smart city”

This indicated that some individuals couldn’t afford to pay their gas and electricity bills, leading them to rely on public facilities. In response, we initiated outreach services to provide support and help connect these individuals with available resources. This proved particularly helpful for newcomers to the city, such as refugees, who may not have been aware of the assistance available to them. We were able to identify their needs and provide additional amenities like bins or access to water sources.

This experience demonstrated how delving into sensor data allowed us to become a smarter city in various ways. Pedestrian counters, for instance, can serve a purpose beyond simply counting people. By analysing patterns, we can identify areas where homeless individuals gather late at night and subsequently provide appropriate support services. There are numerous sensors with untapped potential, and we are actively exploring their applications. In Geelong, we have an extensive CCTV network primarily used for standard purposes like enforcing regulations and collaborating with the police. We are now also leveraging video analytics to gather insights on driver behaviour, pedestrian movement, and dwell times. This approach enables us to maximise the value of existing infrastructure.

Moreover, we recently conducted an intriguing trial where we considered using wind sensors to estimate wind conditions by analysing video footage and observing the movement of flags. While not providing precise readings, this information proved sufficient for people interested in flying drones, for instance. Our video network holds immense untapped potential, and we are focused on extracting more value from it. We are also expanding our IoT network by deploying smart nodes and carefully evaluating individual use cases to determine how we can integrate new sensors, whether for monitoring air quality or expanding the network itself.

By leveraging existing investments and exploring new avenues, we are dedicated to extracting the full potential of our sensor network to enhance the capabilities of Geelong as a smart city.