A Comprehensive Review of the System of Systems (SoS) Perspective in Smart Cities

The rapid development of smart cities addresses urban challenges from population growth, resource management, and sustainability needs. Smart cities rely on Systems of Systems (SoS)—interconnected, independent systems—to achieve capabilities beyond individual components. This analysis explores SoS principles like operational autonomy, geographic distribution, and evolutionary growth in smart cities, with applications spanning healthcare, transportation, public safety, and energy efficiency. Case studies from India, Atlanta, and Porto illustrate successful SoS implementations using data-driven methods like open data platforms and IoT devices to tackle issues such as traffic congestion and resource allocation. Applying SoS frameworks in urban traffic light management can significantly reduce congestion and enhance transportation efficiency through dynamic data sharing and predictive analytics. By transforming traffic lights into interconnected ’smart sensors,’ real-time responses to traffic conditions, proactive congestion management, and improved emergency access are enabled. Addressing interoperability, scalability, and data security challenges ensures seamless system integration, supporting sustainable urban mobility.