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New Insights into Real-Time Urban Information Systems

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Dr. M. M. Kamruzzaman

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Guest Editor

Department of Computer Science, College of Computer and Information Sciences, Jouf University, Sakakah 72311, Al Jouf, Saudi Arabia
Interests: wireless communications; 6G; ML; image processing; 5G; deep learning; remote sensing

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Urban information systems provide information that enables cities to carry out efficient administration and decision-making for facilities, urban planning, the environment, disaster prevention, water supply, transit, etc. Municipalities must manage their infrastructure to build security systems, and urban information systems are quite effective at doing this. Each department creates and maintains maps, statistics, and other data that might comprise an urban information system (such as data on transportation, urban planning, water supply, drainage, and environmental protection). By integrating data that are relevant to one another, an urban information system may make information usage more straightforward and effective.

Urban governments may more effectively address long-term strategic planning and management challenges by applying urban information systems. For instance, data from a geographic information system are helpful in the management of planning, zoning, transportation, utilities, flood control, urbanization and its effects on the environment, and the use of demographics in formulating public policy. Moreover, they raise awareness of the interdependence of environmental, social, and economic health and the consequences of policies made by authorities. Considering the importance of this topic, we propose a Special Issue of Applied Sciences entitled "New Insights into Real-Time Urban Information Systems". This Special Issue seeks to cover all issues related to real-time urban information systems and encourage technology-driven urban management.

This Special Issue welcomes original research articles and reviews that preferably focus on (but are not limited to) the following topics:

Urban information systems (UIS);
Urban management information system (UMIS);
Intelligent management information systems;
Geographic information system (GIS);
AI, IoT, and Blockchain for smart cities;
Data-driven smart cities;
5G and 6G for smart urban management;
Urban ICT infrastructure;
UIS for local governments;
Data-driven smart ecological urbanism;
Urban remote sensing.

Dr. M. M. Kamruzzaman
Guest Editor

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Research

20 pages, 653 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Software Engineering Techniques for Building Sustainable Cities with Electric Vehicles

by Fayez Alanazi and Mamdouh Alenezi

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(15), 8741; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13158741 - 28 Jul 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2302

Abstract

As the process of urbanization continues to accelerate, the demand for sustainable cities has become more critical than ever before. The incorporation of electric vehicles (EVs) is a key component in creating sustainable cities. However, the development of smart cities for EVs entails more than just the installation of charging stations. Software engineering plays a crucial role in realizing smart cities for electric vehicles. This paper examines the role of software engineering in the creation of smart cities for electric vehicles, the techniques utilized in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, the obstacles faced by software engineers, and the future of software engineering in sustainable cities. Specifically, the paper explores the significance of software engineering in integrating EVs into the transportation system, including the design of smart charging and energy management systems, and the establishment of intelligent transportation systems. Additionally, the paper offers case studies to demonstrate successful software engineering implementations for smart cities. Finally, the paper concludes with a discussion of the challenges that software engineers encounter in implementing intelligent transportation systems for EVs and provides future directions for software engineering in sustainable cities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Real-Time Urban Information Systems)

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26 pages, 8337 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Revolutionizing Small-Scale Retail: Introducing an Intelligent IoT-based Scale for Efficient Fruits and Vegetables Shops

by Abdullah Zargham, Ihtisham Ul Haq, Tamara Alshloul, Samad Riaz, Ghassan Husnain, Muhammad Assam, Yazeed Yasin Ghadi and Heba G. Mohamed

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(14), 8092; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13148092 - 11 Jul 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2902

Abstract

In the bustling streets of Pakistan, small-scale fruits and vegetables shops stand as vital hubs of daily life. These humble establishments are where people flock to satisfy their everyday needs. However, the traditional methods employed by shopkeepers using manual weighing scales have proven to be time-consuming and limit the shopkeepers’ ability to serve multiple customers simultaneously. But in a world rapidly embracing automation and propelled by the wonders of artificial intelligence, a revolution is underway. In this visionary paper, we introduce the concept of an intelligent scale that will revolutionize the retail process. This remarkable scale possesses the power to automate numerous tasks, making the shopping experience seamless and efficient. Imagine a scale that not only determines the weight of the produce but also possesses the ability to detect and identify each fruit and vegetable placed upon it. By harnessing the potential of cutting-edge technology, we fine-tuned pre-trained models, such as YOLOv5n and YOLOv7, on our extensive dataset, consisting of 12 classes and 2622 images. The dataset was collected manually and it closely aligns with real-time scenarios, ensuring that the distribution in our training and validation sets were similar and that it reflected what our models will encounter during testing. As a result, our YOLOv5n and YOLOv7 models have achieved astonishing mean Average Precision (mAP) scores of 0.98 and 0.987, respectively. YOLOv5n demonstrates an impressive processing speed of 20 frames per second (fps) on a CPU, while it reaches an impressive 125 fps on a GPU. Similarly, YOLOv7 achieves a processing speed of 2 fps on a CPU, which escalates to 66.6 fps on a GPU. These extraordinary results testify to the remarkable accuracy and efficacy of our system when subjected to real-world testing scenarios. To ensure accurate weighing, we incorporated a load cell with an hx711 amplifier, providing precise measurements that customers can trust. However, our intelligent scale does not stop there. We understand that determining weight alone is insufficient when it comes to transactions. Hence, a meticulously crafted Python script was developed to map each specific item to its corresponding price based on its weight. With all these incredible features in place, the experience of purchasing from a fruits and vegetables shop is taken to new heights. The intelligent scale is accompanied by a user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI), where customers can conveniently view their order and prices. Once the order is complete, a simple click on the print button generates a neatly printed bill, ensuring a seamless transaction. The implications of this intelligent scale are profound. Shopkeepers can now serve customers faster and more efficiently, effortlessly managing multiple transactions simultaneously. The introduction of automation enhances the overall shopping experience, leaving customers delighted and eager to return. This amalgamation of technology and traditional commerce heralds a new era, where small-scale shops can thrive and adapt to the ever-evolving needs of the modern world. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Real-Time Urban Information Systems)

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