Switching on


Connected bins help cut carbon footprint


B cut their CO2


y installing 6000 con- nected bins, Dutch local authorities hope to have emissions by a


fi fth. T e bins, which are fi tted with a Vodafone M2M Sim, have been supplied to housing estates across the country by waste management business Mic-O-Data. T e Sim sends a daily status


signal to the refuse collectors, alerting them when a bin is getting full or hasn’t been closed properly. T is information enables the refuse collectors to ar- range for full bins to be emptied or empty bins to be left. As a direct result, refuse collectors are now making fewer journeys and using less fuel. In some cases, councils even require fewer refuse trucks. T e bins are locked to non-


residents and can be opened only using an ID card fi tted with an RFID chip. As well as allowing local authorities to monitor who


Rugged device for the AA


The handheld device offers patrols a built-in GPS receiver, E-compass, altimeter and 3megapixel auto-focus camera


T


The bins are locked to non-residents and can only be opened using an ID card fi tted with an RFID chip ensuring accountability


is using the facilities, and bill accordingly, the initiative ensures accountability and encourages greater use of recycling facilities by residents. A study by Environmental


Resource Management examined the impact the scheme has had on the city council of Gronin- gen, one of the local authorities


that took part. It found that the council had reduced its CO2 emissions by nearly 30 tonnes a year – equivalent to a net saving of 18 per cent. T e initiative is estimated to


have saved the council around €92,000 (£72,000) by reducing fuel and maintenance costs and cutting the number of trucks.


Lord’s gets connected M


arylebone Cricket Club (MCC) – owner of Lord’s


Cricket Ground – has signed a fi ve-year deal with Wi-Fi provider The Cloud to install high-speed public Wi-Fi at the home of cricket. Visitors to the world-famous


ground can now access an Internet connection to browse the Web free of charge on smartphones, tablets, laptops, e-readers, and other wireless devices. The service – launched recently


during the test match between England and South Africa – focuses on making The Cloud available in the media centre, across hospitality areas, in the food village, and in the vicinity


8


of all public bars. Following the initial roll-out, the MCC will look at the option of providing free Wi-Fi in every stand, to reach each of the 28 500 seats at Lord’s. MCC chief executive and


secretary Derek Brewer, said: “The availability of high speed Wi-Fi adds to the experience of visiting Lord’s. Spectators spend


he Automobile Association’s (AA) new fl eet of patrol


bikes, operating in some of the largest towns and cities across the UK, has been fi tted with a fully rugged, handheld device from Getac that also boasts phone capabilities. The IP67-rated device, custom-


built for the AA, is mounted on the bike using a bespoke powered docking solution. It offers patrols a built-in GPS receiver, e-compass, altimeter and three-megapixel autofocus camera. Chris Bailey, head of motoring


a whole day with us, so having secure access to the Internet means that they can post photos and videos of their experience, as well as keeping up to speed with commentary and analysis of the match online. The service is also ideal for email access, general Web surfi ng, social networking and media streaming.”


technologies for the AA, commented: “We never know what situation our patrols will be called out to, in what weather, and over what terrain, so a hardy, reliable communication device that is sealed against dust and moisture is essential for our guys out on the road. “The PS236 has been built


to withstand vibration, drops and shocks too, and offers our patrols everything they need to communicate with colleagues and locate callouts quickly and effi ciently, thereby improving our response time to members.” The 3·5-inch touch-screen


Following the initial roll-out, the MCC will now look at providing free Wi-Fi in every stand, to reach each of the 28 500 seats at Lord’s


display incorporates both anti-glare and anti-refl ective capabilities, whilst nine hours of battery life guarantees that patrols can stay in touch throughout their shift.


LAND mobile September 2012


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