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Case 6.1: EC Application: Big Data Analysis at INRIX Help People Avoid Traffic Jams 183

The IoT will include many everyday things, ranging from the grid are shown in Figure 6.5 and in the “Smart Grid
smart grids to smart homes, clothes, cities and many others, Basics” infographic at edf.org/energy/infographic-smart-grid-
all being networked. basics.
For more information, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_
grid. Smart grids enable the use of smart homes and appli-
From Theory to Practice ances. For more, see edf.org/climate/smart-grid- overview
and smartgrid.gov.
Ubiquitous computing is the basis for the Internet of Things,
which is described in Section 6.7. Here we describe one
topic: Smart Grids. In Section 6.7, we will describe more
applications. Pervasive computing technology is the key to CASE 6.1: EC APPLICATION
many smart applications. Some examples are presented next. BIG DATA ANALYSIS AT INRIX HELP
PEOPLE AVOID TRAFFIC JAMS
Smart Meters and Grids
INRIX (inrix.com) enables drivers to get real-time traffic
An example of a simple application of pervasive computing is information. Drivers can download INRIX-XD Traffic app
the use of smart meters for measuring electricity use. With for iOS and Android. A predictive analysis of massive data is
smart meters there is no need to go from house to house to read based on a large amount of data obtained from consumers,
the meter. Also, electricity consumption can be optimized. the environment (e.g., road construction, accidents), and
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a smart grid government sources. Such sources include:
(smartgrid.gov) is an electricity network managed by utiliz-
ing digital technology. Like the Internet, the smart grid con- • Real-time traffic flow and accident information collected
sists of controls, computers, automation, and new technologies in real time by driver services (e.g., radar)
and equipment working together, but in this case, these tech- • Flow of traffic collected by participating delivery compa-
nologies work with the electrical grid to improve usage by nies and by over 100 million anonymous volunteer drivers
responding to the quickly changing electric demand. that have GPS-enabled smartphones, reporting in real time
The benefits associated with the smart grid include: • Road weather conditions and forecasts
• Traffic congestion (e.g., road maintenance)
INRIX processes the collected information with proprie-
• More efficient transmission of electricity
tary analytical tools and formulas. The processed information
• Quicker restoration of electricity after power distur- is used to make traffic predictions. For example, it creates a
bances
picture of anticipated traffic flows and delays for the next
• Reduced operations and management costs for utili- 15–20 min, the next few hours, and the next few days. This
ties, and ultimately lower power costs for consumers
enables drivers to plan their optimal routes. As of 2016,
• Reduced peak demand, which will also help lower INRIX offers global coverage in 41 countries and in major
electric rates
cities, and they analyze traffic information from over 100
• Increased integration of large-scale renewable energy sources. This service is combined with digital maps. In
systems
Seattle, traffic information is disseminated via smartphones
• Better integration of customer-owner power genera- and color codes on the freeways. Smartphones also display
tion systems, including improved security of renew-
estimated times for the roads to be either clear or become
able energy systems jammed. By 2016, the company covered about 5,000,000
• Goal of zero carbon emissions
miles of highways worldwide, delivering the best recom-
mended routes to drivers in real time.
The INRIX system provides recommendations for deci-
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of sions such as:
Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability provides sub-
stantial information about the smart grid (see energy.gov/oe/ • Optional route for delivery vehicles
technology- development/smart-grid). According to the • Best time to go to work or other places
DOE, the smart grid devices have sensors to gather data and • How to reroute a trip to avoid an incident that just occurred
two-way digital communication between the device in the • Fees to be paid on highways, which are based on traffic
field and the network operations’ center. The essentials of conditions.