H CS - Environmental impact (revision)

Computer Systems

• Environmental Impact

Environmental impact

Describe the environmental impact of intelligent systems:

• heating systems

• traffic control

• car management systems

Smart heating systems

Purpose - Reduce energy requirements and heat homes more effectively
How it works - A smart heating system with gather data from sensors placed in each room of a house. It will use this data to determine when to heat the room based on the days and times it tends to be used. The user can access an app on this phone to control the thermostat
Benefit - No energy is wasted heating parts of a home which are not in use, this reduces energy requirements and an individual's carbon footprint.

intelligent traffic control systems

Purpose - Reduce energy requirement and harmful greenhouse gas emissions for vehicles by controlling the flow of traffic more effectively
How it works - Vehicles consume greater amounts of fuel when they are constantly accelerating and braking in traffic jams. Smart traffic control systems use a variety of information from cameras and sensors, to keep traffic flowing as efficiently as possible by controlling traffic signals.
Benefit - Reduces the amount of harmful emissions emitted by vehicles which are forced to constantly brake and excelerate.

Intelligent car management systems

Purpose - Reduce fuel consumption and harmful greenhouse gas emissions for vehicles by optimising fuel use
How it works - Engine stop-start systems shut down the car's engine when the start has come to a stop. This reduces the time the engine spends idling which consumes additional fuel.
Benefit - Reduces the amount of harmful emissions emitted by vehicles which are forced to constantly stop if they get stuck in traffic jams.

Getting the marks

In your answer be sure to include an explanation which details each system's overall purpose is to reduce the inefficient burning of fuel and therefore reduce harmful emissions.
Also ensure you explain what the system does to achieve this.

Open Ended

Describe an intelligent system used on a car journey that is beneficial for the environment. Justify your answer. (2 marks)

Open Ended

Bailey’s Dog Kennels installed an intelligent heating system. Describe one environmental benefit to using a heating system which is intelligent. (1 mark)