There's no single definition of a smart city, but the general view is that it’s a place where digital infrastructure complements the physical infrastructure, so that it facilitates and makes life easier for the citizens of that city.

For example, in Qatar we used advanced ITS systems aimed at creating an intelligent traffic centre that was able to predict traffic conditions and adjust the traffic lights at key intersections automatically, adapting timings of the traffic lights to congestion. The physical infrastructure can communicate with the AI, but it also includes the tools that enable the system to communicate to citizens.

There’s a lot that citizens don’t see, such as the number of sensors that collect the data, and systems that clean and store the data. Once that data is cleaned, it can be processed and used to improve processes: ten years ago, it was unthinkable to do that.

Today, systems allow you to gather the data, from cameras and bio sensors that can distinguish between usable data and non-usable data. Data scientists can keep track of this usable data and form what they call a data lake, a large database that can be processed and cleaned automatically, and then calibrated against real data. You test the data statically and, once you're happy with the results, you can turn it into real-time processes.

The ITS systems that we developed for the World Cup in Doha did exactly this. It was calibrated against current, static conditions, such as traffic or historical trends, and then once the outcome was clean and accurate enough, it was turned into a system that worked independently without a great deal of human intervention.

Last-mile planning is another feature of smart cities: it hasn’t been prioritised in the past few years, but that’s changing and it’s now an important topic in all types of transportation and logistics. We can now look at entire journeys because we've got enough data to do that – especially those journeys where you need to make modal changes.

We recently collaborated with the Dutch railways, which have a very smart way of providing micromobility at stations. Because they use bikes so much, they've got huge bike parks, but now they've also got shared bikes, scooters and cars, all of which are available with a single app. That means you can book a parking space for your bike at the station, book your train ticket and pay for it, find the closest scooter and book it when you get off your train (unlocking it with your app), and then find the route from the railway station to your final destination.

The logistics sector isn’t consolidated as well as passenger last-mile systems. That said, delivery planning – in terms of modes of transport – has changed. There was a big reliance on trucks and vans, but now we’re seeing bikes, scooters, and electric cars being used. Goods deliveries will make use of similar technology and the same intelligence that passengers will rely on.

This is only the beginning for smart cities, though. It’s fascinating how the physical infrastructure and the digital tools have started to communicate, providing data for analysts. But it’s still just the tip of the iceberg and we haven't discovered its full potential yet.

Claudio Bonomi Savignon was in conversation with Craig Thomas