In 2022, the last of New York City’s iconic payphone booths was removed, marking the end of an era. In their place now stand sleek, multifunctional LinkNYC kiosks, symbols of the city’s transition towards hyperconnectivity. Developed and operated by CityBridge, the kiosks’ big appeal was their free calling and Wi-Fi services given that the average cost of mobile data in the US was over $5 per GB in 2014.
Today, smart street furniture has become a cornerstone of urban infrastructure globally. It goes beyond charging points at airports or smart poles fitted with CCTV cameras and Wi-Fi hotspots. It is being upgraded every day with artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT), fibre connectivity and small cell deployments, serving both functional and aesthetic purposes while ensuring sustainability and safety.
Consider Dubai’s smart palm trees – solar-powered, shaded sitting areas embedded with surveillance cameras, environmental sensors, etc., that not only provide free Wi-Fi and charging points, but also offer comfort, entertainment and visual appeal. Similarly, Seoul’s futuristic bus stops serve as smart shelters that have air purifiers and internet connectivity.
These cities offer a glimpse into a new world, like a scene from science fiction unfolding in real life.
According to the Business Research Company, the global street furniture market is expected to grow from $9.86 billion in 2024 to $10.52 billion in 2025 and $13.47 billion in 2029. A look at the latest deployment trends in the global street furniture space…
Smart street lights, kiosks and poles: Foundations of connected cities
Smart street lights, kiosks and poles are the foundational components of smart city infrastructure, supporting governance and public connectivity. Cities around the world continue to expand or retrofit this infrastructure with new technologies every year.
In October 2024, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government launched a self-service kiosk in Foshan, Guangdong province, making it easier to access Hong Kong’s public services. Meanwhile, a city sensing network system is being developed in Hebi city in China’s Henan province, by connecting smart pole sites. The system includes IoT sensors attached to existing urban lamp poles, installed by the urban management, transportation, emergency response and meteorology departments. These poles provide one-click assistance, public address alerts, flood warnings and parking guidance. National Telecom, Thailand’s state-owned telecom company, is also deploying 5G smart poles across Pattaya, which include features and services such as smart lighting, Wi-Fi 6 hotspots, digital signage, an SOS video call system, public broadcast equipment and intelligent transportation systems.
In the Middle East, Kuwait is giving the Arabian Gulf Street a glow-up with a smart lighting project that is both sleek and sustainable. The new street poles, fitted with energy-efficient LED spotlights, have been designed by local engineers to reflect the Kuwaiti heritage. Meanwhile, the Integrated Transport Centre of Abu Dhabi has partnered with Google for “Project Green Light”, an AI-powered system that collects and analyses traffic data at intersections and provides recommendations. The project aims to improve the efficiency of traffic lights, reduce congestion and cut carbon dioxide emissions.
In Paris, Itron, Inc. has extended its collaboration with Cielis, a consortium of Dalkia Electrotechnics and a subsidiary of Eiffage, to manage nearly 200,000 smart street lights across the city. With Itron’s CityEdge portfolio, Cielis will manage the street lights to reduce their energy usage and improve their performance and reliability.
Further, with global data consumption on the rise, cities are leveraging street furniture to deploy small cells, ensuring seamless connectivity. In the UK, Cornerstone, a mobile infrastructure services group, has partnered with lighting company Signify and neutral host platform provider Dense Air to deliver mobile connectivity using existing street light infrastructure. Oxford will be the first city in the country to benefit from this partnership, with small cell technology integrated into street lights to create a scalable, multi-operator mobile network.
Electric vehicles-friendly streets: Charging stations reimagined
In the US, the expanding EV charging network is making long-distance EV road travel more convenient than ever. Pilot Company, General Motors and EVgo, Inc. have reached a major milestone in their nationwide EV charging collaboration, now offering fast-charging infrastructure at over 130 locations across more than 25 states. These include sites along the I-75 route between Michigan and Georgia, and regional routes such as Minneapolis to Milwaukee, Detroit to Cleveland, San Antonio to Houston and Dallas to Nashville. Aside from charging facilities, these stations offer a range of amenities such as lounges, free Wi-Fi, modern restrooms, on-site restaurants and a variety of takeaway options.
To address grid limitations, the New York Power Authority has successfully deployed a new power boosting technology, developed in partnership with ZOOZ Power, to enable ultra-fast EV charging in grid-constrained locations. In July 2024, Starbucks announced a strategic collaboration with Mercedes-Benz High-Power Charging to electrify more than 100 Starbucks stores across the country, which will allow customers to refuel sustainably while enjoying their cup of coffee. In addition, the country’s first wireless electric road has been installed in Detroit, enabling EVs to charge up as they drive along.
In Asia, Japan has initiated four new pilot programmes aimed at integrating solar vehicle-charging hubs at suburban outlets, potentially reshaping day-to-day commuting.
Waste no more: Smart bins cleaning up the streets
Japan has long managed to keep its streets spotless despite having no litter bins in sight. Now, with rising tourist numbers and garbage volumes, it is turning to smart bins. In Osaka’s bustling Dotonbori district, around 20 new technologically enabled, beautifully designed trash cans, called “SmaGO”, have been installed. These IoT-enabled, solar-powered smart trash cans, sold and installed by Forcetec, Inc., automatically detect when they are getting full and compress the garbage by about 20 per cent.
Meanwhile, Edinburgh’s council is planning to enhance glass waste collection by deploying sensors. The initiative also aims to reduce noise in community bin areas. More than 3,000 bins across the city will be moved to “dynamic” collections, emptied only when they are almost full. Data from these sensors will also identify low-use bins, which could be removed to free up space.
Technology at the kerb: Streamlining parking and streetside management
Sun Singapore Systems, the largest provider of smart parking solutions in Singapore, is implementing an innovative AI-based parking solution powered by AMD Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC devices. The system features highly accurate licence plate readings, real-time parking spot vacancy detection and automated enforcement of parking rules. These systems are expected to enhance the functionality and efficiency of parking systems within the city.
In the US, Boston is tackling its parking problem with a comprehensive, interactive map of all kerb layouts. Funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s SMART Grant, the project blends AI with real-time data sharing to streamline kerbside management. The map will provide real-time information on parking inventory and street sign rules, benefiting transit riders, delivery drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, businesses and people with disabilities.
In addition, Parkin Company, the largest provider of paid public parking facilities in Dubai, has signed an MoU with Saudi Arabia’s BATIC Investment and Logistics Company to transform parking infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. The key components of the project include AI-driven systems, real-time data analytics, digital gates, smart sensors and smart cameras to optimise parking space utilisation, reduce congestion and streamline operations.
Smart benches: Sustainability meets innovation
Bluebolt Outdoor LLC has recently installed solar-powered benches at California State University, USA. The benches operate entirely off the grid with enough stored power to last up to five days. Each bench has four wireless charging pads and two backlit advertising panels, and also provides campus lighting in the evenings. Meanwhile, in Greece, the municipality of Korydallos has introduced the country’s first pilot smart bench in the Eleftherias central square. Designed by scientists from the National Observatory of Athens in collaboration with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and Energy4Smart, these state-of-the-art benches are equipped with sensors to monitor local air quality and environmental pollutants.
Raising an alarm: Smart protection systems
CCTV cameras mounted on smart poles and street lights continue to serve as the first line of defence in urban spaces. In addition, sensors are being deployed to monitor pollutants and identify potential threats to infrastructure. In Jubail, Saudi Arabia, the region’s first smart buoy has been launched for marine protection. The solar-powered buoy collects data on temperature, salinity and oxygen levels, helping authorities identify environmental threats. These buoys are crucial for detecting pollutants early and safeguarding the marine ecosystem.
Meanwhile, in the US, Austin Energy is deploying an advanced AI-driven wildfire detection system, which integrates 13 ultra-high-definition, 360-degree cameras, AI and real-time data monitoring to detect and verify potential wildfires. Once a fire is identified, the system automatically alerts Austin Energy and local fire departments.
A word of caution: Privacy and security concerns
A final word of caution – in hyperconnected cities, street furniture is vulnerable to cyberattacks, physical damage and thefts, raising serious concerns about privacy and data security. For this infrastructure to gain widespread public acceptance, transparency is key. Citizens should be able to sit on smart benches without feeling like they are being spied on or tracked. They must be informed if their data is being mined and sold. Further, current deployments are largely concentrated in tourist spots or affluent urban areas. Truly inclusive smart infrastructure must extend to underserved communities as well, ensuring equitable access to technology-driven urban services.
Sugandha Khurana
