Pioneering smart columns are to be rolled out in Hartlepool
bringing cutting-edge technology to residents, visitors and
businesses.
The smart columns are set to be installed at six locations
between Hartlepool Railway Station to Hartlepool Marina in a
pilot to test the latest technology.
The 8-metre columns incorporate electronic screens, smart street
lighting, environmental monitors, traffic counters and audio
speakers, with some also including 4G and 5G enabled small cells.
The wireless technology will complement the waterfront
connectivity project being undertaken by Hartlepool Borough
Council and funded through Hartlepool Town Deal.
Planning approval for five columns in the Hartlepool Development
Corporation (HDC) area was granted by HDC planning board on
Thursday (November 7), paving the way for installation.
A further column, located near the new Highlight Active Wellbeing
Hub was approved by the Council in October.
A key feature of each smart column will be two 55” electronic
display screens. The content will be controlled by Hartlepool
Borough Council and is envisaged to be advertisement of local
council events and wayfinding directions, alongside train and bus
timetables where available.
The columns include smart lighting which can be controlled
remotely and dimmed/turned off when necessary to provide energy
savings.
The 5G small cells will provide a private 5G network, used
initially to test potential use cases with the intention on
rolling it out to businesses and attractions in the area, and
expanding to a public 5G network in the future.
Three columns will host small traffic sensors to be used to
monitor traffic and pedestrian footfall, feeding data back into
the existing Urban Traffic Management System, aiming to improve
traffic flows, incident and event management. It will also enable
the Council to make more informed, data-led decisions on
transport schemes in the future.
The same sensors have been installed elsewhere in Hartlepool
benefitting both residents and businesses.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “This technology is the first
of its kind anywhere in the north of England and shows how our
region is leading the way in introducing new technology which
will make a big difference to people by delivering better
connectivity and improving the quality of local networks.
“As a busy and growing destination for both businesses and
visitors, it's important this area of Hartlepool has the very
best digital connectivity and this is yet another demonstration
of how we are at the forefront of introducing innovative new
technologies.”
Councillor Karen Oliver, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council's
Neighbourhood Services Committee, said: "I am delighted that
Hartlepool is leading the way with the trial of this latest smart
technology.
"As an innovative and forward-thinking authority, we are to
committed to exploring how technology can be harnessed to improve
efficiency and provide services that benefit local residents and
businesses, and visitors to the borough."
Alongside Hartlepool, new columns are being introduced at
Teesside International Airport. TVCA is being supported by
private neutral host partners Dense Air in developing the
projects.
The rollout comes after Tees Valley was successful in securing
£200,000 from the Department of Science, Innovation and
Technology's Smart Infrastructure Pilots Programme designed to
trial the procurement, installation and added use cases of smart
multi-purpose columns in the UK.
