A smart light pole with a drone hangar has recently started operating in Jinan, capital of Shandong province, marking a new step in the city's intelligent urban management.

The system is now used to support traffic management and emergency response. During peak hours, drones can be dispatched within five minutes to monitor congestion, record accidents, and assist with on-site coordination. Equipped with cameras and loudspeakers, the drones allow operators at a central command center to assess situations and give guidance.

By replacing traditional manual patrols, the system reduces emergency response times and enables remote, unmanned inspections across urban areas. Its deployment is based on existing street light infrastructure, making the solution both practical and cost-effective.

Beyond its current functions, the drone-equipped light poles are expected to be used for river monitoring, public security, and environmental supervision. In the next phase, a single drone flight will collect data for multiple government departments.

The city plans to roll out an initial batch of 48 smart light poles to cover key urban areas. This model can also be easily adapted for rural areas, providing a scalable solution for smart city development.

A close-up view of a light pole equipped with a drone hangar in Jinan. [Photo/Haibao News]