--- In digitalcityforum@yahoogroups.com, Peter Allen <pma94301@...>
wrote:
>
> Many cities have considered SCADA as a prime motivator for building
a digital city. Every city that has a municipal utility currently
has some form of SCADA in place, though usually through wireless.
Engineers realize that this method is faulty in some emergencies like
a large transformer created an EMP, but it is effective for daily use.
>
> Some cities (ex: Palo Alto) even have considered the notion that
SCADA, as well as other muni services, would in itself justify the
creation of a muni information utility. Creating such a network
could then provide room for 'the big three' services as gravy
revenue, creating a 'first mile network'.
>

Interesting!

I am highly experienced in Technology R&D and have a strong civic
service background. It just seems to be an area where lots of new
ideas can emerge. Do you have a reference for documentation these
ideas?

I was considering new applications rather then replacing old
applications. This is an example off of the top of my head. The low
cost of the terminal hardware may allow real time tracking of mass
transit systems such as buses where this wasn't practical before. Not
only can managers have a current situation understanding but other
perks can creep in. For example, riders can be alerted automatically
when the buss is within a cretin time frame of arriving at a
particular stop or if there is a problem. This would be something
that may be cost prohibitive without the network. This is not a
critical service that can't be lost in a disaster.

Your point is a good one though. Perhaps standard recommendations
should be developed to help leaders decide what type of
communications should not rely on a city wide network.

Bruce