There’s a new ISO/TS 37151, “Smart community infrastructures – Principles and requirements for performance metrics.” This new Technical Specification supports the use of the ISO 37120, “Sustainable development of communities – Indicators for city services and quality of life.” It is also a companion to the ISO/TR 37150, “Smart community infrastructures – Review of existing activities relevant to metrics.” All three documents support the multi-billion dollar smart cities technology industry. The focus of this new business model? To help cities develop livable and sustainable environments for a “greener” future.
How does the ISO/TS 37151 fit into the smart cities model? It is often said that what you cannot manage what you cannot measure. So with the technologies that support the smart cities effort, the use of metrics is essential to managing the move to a more efficient community infrastructure with regards to telecommunications, common databases and so on. This is the focus of ISO/TS 37151.
What exactly does ISO/TS 37151 address? As noted in the scope paragraph, the document provides both principles and requirements for the definition, identification, optimization and harmonization of community infrastructure performance metrics. It also gives recommendations for analysis. You’ll be able to better understand performance in terms of smartness, interoperability, synergy, resilience, safety and of course security.
Why did ISO develop this specification? ISO is working on smart city standards in support of international community initiatives like the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. It is hoped that the work that’s being done will support international trade in the deliverables that support this effort. It is also expected that the ISO standards will improve the chances for both governments and businesses of all sizes to adopt these technologies more successfully.
Who will find the ISO/TS 37151 to be of value? The ISO Committee 268 has written it for governments at all levels, for regional organizations (like the Smart Cities Council here in the U.S.), community planners and developers, infrastructure operators (such as public utilities), infrastructure vendors and for non-governmental groups (like consumer advocates).
What exactly does ISO/TS 37151 cover? It has the usual scope, referenced documents and definitions sections. Clause 4 provides you with an overview of the document and how it might be used. Clause 5 covers the principles you should use when setting up a program for defining and using these metrics. Clause 6 is a requirements section, discussing the common approach to identifying the metrics you should be using. And Annexes A and B provide you with examples for the applicability of the approaches suggested and for relating community issues to performance measures. A 25 item bibliography completes the 66-page publication.
How can I get a copy of ISO/TS 37151? This is a copyright document and must be purchased from an authorized distributor of ISO standards. Document Center Inc. is such an outlet and has been selling standards since 1982. You can order the document at our webstore www.document-center.com. Here is the link directly to the order page for ISO/TS 37151. If you have any questions or need any assistance, you can contact our knowledgeable staff by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com). Remember: Here at Document Center, we’re your Standards Experts!