Smart Mobility: A tool for smart and sustainable city
In the relentless battle against urban traffic gridlock, governments worldwide have tirelessly sought solutions, yet the daily commute in most cities continues to stretch longer. The surge in urban populations and the emergence of suburban areas have intricately woven a web of movement within and between cities, resulting in prolonged and often exasperating commutes. It’s high time for a paradigm shift. Rather than fixating on the “how many” and “how often” aspects, cities need to shift their focus to understanding the intricate dance of people: “where do they originate from,” “what is their destination,” and “what drives them to be there.” Enter geospatial technology, the linchpin of a city’s modern infrastructure. Real-time geospatial data isn’t just about streamlining mobility; it’s the catalyst for superior city governance. Think traffic forecasts that border on clairvoyance, meticulous asset monitoring, optimal route planning, and real-time public transport updates. This amalgamation gives birth to a Smart Mobility ecosystem – an intelligent, responsive, and adaptive transportation system that transcends the conventional. It’s not just about moving people; it’s about moving them smarter.
The landscape of transportation is undergoing a profound shift with the advent of on-demand ride services like Uber and Lyft, fundamentally altering how people navigate their surroundings. In the Netherlands, the Beter Benutten (Optimising Use) ITS initiative is leading the charge in optimizing traffic flows on the road network. The infusion of ‘intelligence’ into mobility has resulted in significant reductions in door-to-door travel times. This transformation extends beyond individual vehicles. Cars, lorries, public transport, bicycles, and emergency services are entering a new era of communication, not only with each other but also with traffic lights, beacons, and sensors. Cooperative Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) open up possibilities, including the implementation of intelligent junction design. This entails a system that furnishes the junction with information about approaching traffic, including vehicle types and destinations. The system can respond dynamically, for instance, by extending the green signal if a heavy lorry is approaching, minimizing unnecessary braking and accelerating. The outcome: reduced emissions and smoother traffic flows. Meanwhile, in Finland, HERE is pioneering a three-year pilot for a road hazard warning system that aligns with the European ITS directive, utilizing an LTE mobile network. HERE has also taken a crucial step by publishing an interface specification, outlining how sensor data collected by vehicles can be securely transmitted to the Cloud, setting a standard for data sharing among automakers. In the pursuit of cementing its global standing in smart mobility, encompassing autonomous and connected vehicle research, Ohio is making a $15 million investment. This funding aims to implement advanced highway technology along the Smart Mobility Corridor, a 35-mile stretch of U.S. Route 33 in Central Ohio. With around 50,000 vehicles traversing this corridor daily, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) anticipates enhanced traffic management, weather monitoring, and incident response capabilities. Jerry Wray, Director of ODOT, emphasizes that the data gathered will fuel the development of groundbreaking technologies, paving the way for safer and more efficient transportation of people and goods. While these initiatives showcase the enthusiasm of developed nations embracing disruptive technologies in the realm of smart mobility, the picture is less optimistic in developing countries.
The relentless pace of urbanization has given rise to a pressing issue – traffic congestion, casting a detrimental impact on society. In 1901, a mere 11.4% of India’s population resided in urban areas, a figure that surged to 28.3% in 2001 and exceeded 30% by the 2011 census. The trajectory continues, with an anticipated 75% of the population projected to shift to urban centers by 2050. This rapid shift puts immense strain on transportation networks in urban centers, where minor disruptions can lead to prolonged traffic congestion, inconveniencing residents.
Sreeja Arunkumar, an expert at Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions Ltd. India, envisions a connected world where the challenge of poor road quality, especially in developing countries, can be addressed. While the prospect of autonomous passenger cars may be distant, the deployment of autonomous trucks for logistics in controlled environments holds promise. To achieve the vision of a digitized road network in India, timely data is crucial. Arunkumar advocates for crowdsourcing as a potent tool for smart mobility, emphasizing the need for a willingness among people to share data.
Drawing on the example of Singapore, Arunkumar underscores the role of GIS (Geographic Information System). Singapore’s Land Transport Authority leverages GIS-based LandNet to analyze traffic and roadway conditions. LandNet, a spatial data-sharing portal created by the Singapore Land Authority, facilitates real-time data exchange among government agencies.
Dr. Niraj Prakash, Director of Solution Consulting at Oracle India, emphasizes the importance of legislation, calling for a reevaluation of traffic rules and civic discipline. He highlights the pivotal role of the government in prioritizing initiatives to address these challenges. Prakash supports the idea of crowdsourcing and suggests that incentivizing individuals can encourage more data sharing.
Amidst these challenges, the transportation and mobility landscape is undergoing a significant evolution. Disruptive technologies are reshaping how companies design and manufacture vehicles. Electric-powered vehicles offer a compelling solution for lower energy consumption and reduced emissions. The use of lightweight materials allows automakers to decrease vehicle weight without compromising passenger safety, marking a paradigm shift in the industry.
As the year 2020 approached, a monumental shift is underway with an anticipated 200+ million connected vehicles. This surge translates into an unprecedented wealth of data, harnessed by sophisticated sensor suites embedded in these rolling vehicles. The advent of autonomous vehicles stands as a pivotal force, poised to revolutionize the mobility sector. Akshay Bandiwedkar, Product Manager at Swift Navigation, envisions a future where data from autonomous vehicles becomes the backbone for sophisticated global models. These models can revolutionize various aspects, from analyzing and repairing automobile accident hotspots to informing civil infrastructure planning, such as highway construction or route optimization. Picture a map highlighting every pothole in real-time, facilitating swift repairs to the roadway infrastructure. The connected car is experiencing rapid innovations, blending communication technologies and the Internet of Things (IoT) to offer invaluable services to drivers. Vehicles equipped with electronic control modules and sensors enable vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications. This capability empowers proactive suggestions for rerouting to avoid road hazards and prompt calls for assistance in case of accidents. Simultaneously, the younger generation is embracing a model of personal mobility consumption based on pay-per-use rather than the traditional upfront purchase of a capital asset. The mobility sector stands on the brink of a transformative era, and the integration of various technologies is crucial for the realization of smart mobility. Geospatial technology emerges as a linchpin, providing the essential ‘where’ component that other technologies lack, according to Niraj Prakash. Anandh Venkatraman, Director – Head of Digital Transformation & Applications at Dell EMC, India, underscores the importance of region-specific solutions in a diverse landscape like India. He emphasizes the need for collaborative forums bringing together diverse mobility players and emphasizes the pivotal role of the government in driving these transformative initiatives.
In essence, the equation is clear: Smart Cities hinge on Smart Mobility, and the latter is only achievable through prioritized initiatives, robust support from authorities and the public, and the optimal utilization of technologies, with geospatial technologies standing out in this transformative landscape.
Source: Geospatial World