An immersive visualization framework for monitoring, simulating and controlling smart street lighting networks

In recent years there has been an increasing effort in investigating integrated solutions to reduce energy consumption levels in different domains. In this perspective, tools thought as a support for the simulation and experimentation of energy saving strategies could constitute a valid help both in the design and validation phases. Within the above scenario, this paper presents a framework for monitoring, simulating and controlling energy-aware street lighting systems capable of optimizing their energy consumption levels based on environmental conditions and established lighting policies. The devised system allows operators to visually inspect (and control) the power saving impact of specific dimming rules in both monitored and simulated environments through the use of advanced 3D vision and interaction capabilities. In fact, a virtual interface is able to recreate the lighting effect within digital city environments, which can be explored by using immersive stereoscopic techniques. Moreover, natural user interfaces based on the recognition of user gestures and poses and voice commands are exploited to improve virtual navigation of the lighting infrastructures. By addressing all the presented aspects, the proposed system aims at constituting an effective tool to develop and analyze energy saving solutions in the domain of (but not necessarily limited to) future public street lighting.