Cognitive Cities and Public Transport: A Fusion of Trust, Connectivity, and Augmented Experiences

*geek alert, bit technical angle to a irreversible societal development, written during a very, very rainy summer holiday*

The Advent of Cognitive Urban Ecosystems

Sentient cities of the future will be trailblazing urban ecosystems, optimally leveraging digital technologies to enhance inclusive urban services, streamline resource usage, minimize emissions and foster effective communication between citizens and governing bodies hence minimizing digital divide. Our homes will become an experience center within an urban ecosystem that is an ultimate blend of physical, digital and even virtual reality. Our personal info-sphere will travel along with us while we commute and experience life. Transportation and teleportation alongsides in a mixed reality world!

This transformation of our critical infrastructure will be powered by a range of advanced technologies, including (but not limited to) artificial intelligence (AI), Natural Language Processing (NLP), the Internet of Things (IoT), Operational Technology (OT), data analytics, Metaverse/Web3/blockchain, edge computing, 5G/6G connectivity, autonomous driving, satellite communications, augmented reality (AR), and robust cybersecurity and privacy measures. Imagine a generative selflearning ecosystem that has but one goal: facilitate a frictionless, inclusive society that adds personalized value to the journey of it's citizens. With the exponential rise of some new technologies we need to plan ahead to also make it happen.

AI, NLP and Data Analytics: Pioneering Operational Efficiency

Generative AI, NLP and data analytics will be instrumental in redefining public transportation in future smart cities. By processing vast volumes of data, AI algorithms can yield insights to anticipate transportation needs, optimize routes, manage micro traffic, and maintain vehicles efficiently, proactively and even generative. For instance, predictive analytics could be leveraged to project passenger volumes and adapt train schedules, resulting in a flexible, resource-efficient system ensuring smooth operations. Trackside sensors, aerial or trackbound drones and railbots will help assure (personnel and passenger) safety and reliability and save on operational costs. (Machine)Learning loops will mature the mobility services provided as a whole and make them unique to each individual's need (including language) at the same time. Biggest take-away: realtime is not good enough anymore, we need predictive decisionmaking for this urban ecosystem to thrive.

IoT, OT and IoE: Transforming Operational Dynamics

IoT and OT will fundamentally alter the operational landscape of railways and public transportation in smart cities. Real-time data from (LAN, wifi7, LiFi, LoRa and 5G/6G) sensors and devices installed across transport networks will offer critical insights into vehicle location, speed, passenger count, and maintenance needs, enabling operators to monitor performance, anticipate potential issues, and make immediate decisions to prevent service disruptions. Everything that produces relevant data will be connected creating an Internet of Everything (IoE) including synthetic data generated from Metaverse/DigitalTwin sensors. Think about that!

Autonomous Driving and Satellite Communications: Reimagining Transit

AI-powered autonomous driving technologies and Autonomous Train Operations (ATO) will dramatically reshape public transport between- and in cognitive cities, offering improved efficiency, safety, and reliability. Alongside this, satellite communications will ensure constant long-range connectivity, crucial for coordinating autonomous vehicles and facilitating real-time data transmission. New affordable vehicles with ultraspeed SatNav will be the norm. Most certainly even flying people around in some areas. Non Terrestial Networks (NTN) will speed up possible as-a-services outside the rural areas. (One entrepreneur thought about that for sure, having autonomous cars AND a dense network of Starlink satellites).

5G/6G: Powering the Connectivity Revolution

5G and 6G will serve as the high-speed, low-latency communication backbone vital for seamless operation of these complex systems. Radio Access Network (RAN) will facilitate real-time data sharing and decision-making, which is critical for the efficient operation of autonomous vehicles, IoT/IoE devices, and edge computing solutions. The convergence of Radio- and NTN platforms and protocols will open a whole new world of X-as-a-services.

Door-to-Door Mobility, MaaS, and AR: Redefining Mobility Experiences

Beyond traditional public transportation, cognitive cities will introduce door-to-door micro mobility solutions, aided by autonomous vehicles and advanced navigation systems. Electrical first- and last mile solutions like scooters, e-bikes or pods will provide passenger travel as well as goods delivery. Meanwhile, Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platforms will amalgamate various transport services into a single mobile application, empowering users to plan, manage, and pay for friction-less multi-modal trips combined with shopping, thus simplifying urban mobility. Further enhancing these services, Augmented Reality (AR) can offer immersive navigation aids and information services for travelers, enriching their journey and experience.

Edge Computing: Enabling Real-Time Decisions

Edge computing will play a critical role in future smart cities' data-driven infrastructure. New powerful small GPU's (go nvidia) that can withstand harsh mobility services conditions will be developed. Processing data closer to its source, edge computing reduces latency, enabling near-instantaneous decision-making, anomaly detection and predictive forecasting. This capability is crucial for managing public transport systems, allowing operators to adapt schedules based on real-time demand and quickly resolve mechanical issues before they cause disruptions. Machine learning and anomaly detection on the edges also saves communication bandwith and enables explicit trust in the ecosystem. Body Area Network (BAN) sensors and appliances will connect and exchange data via mobile devices (body edge) to a personalized body cloud. Medical and sports as-a-services will converge with the cognitive city services. I have no clue what this has to do with mobility but the fact that I cannot imagine it yet says absolutely nothing.

Metaverse, Web3, Blockchain, and Decentralized SocietalTechnologies

The metaverse - a link between physical and virtual-reality space where users can interact with each other and the environment in real-time - can significantly alter the face of urban planning and public transportation. As cities grow increasingly cognitive and interconnected, the metaverse could be leveraged to simulate and analyze complex urban and transportation scenarios, helping policymakers and operators to plan and manage more efficient, user-friendly public transport systems. The ultimate digital twin to test new services in real- and predicted time.

Moreover, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) tools within the metaverse can provide passengers with immersive, personalized travel experiences. For example, AR/VR interfaces could offer real-time travel updates, shopping possibilities, route suggestions, virtual tours, and interactive entertainment, fundamentally transforming how citizens engage with public transport.

Also, blockchain and decentralized technologies promise to introduce a new level of transparency, security, and efficiency into the cognitive city and public transport operations. By creating a decentralized, immutable ledger of specific transactions, blockchain can streamline ticketing, payment, and validation processes, reduce fraud, and enhance user trust. For instance, smart contracts could automate ticket purchases and validation, providing a smoother, more secure passenger experience.

Furthermore, blockchain could underpin a secure, decentralized system for sharing and verifying user identities, improving both security and privacy. It could also facilitate the creation of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) for transport governance, allowing citizens to participate directly in decision-making processes.

Finally, the integration of blockchain technology within IoT networks can ensure secure, tamper-proof communication between devices, contributing to safer and more reliable public transport systems. By eliminating the need for a central authority, blockchain can also foster greater resilience and robustness in these networks. We already see decentralized tamper-proof logging emerge, eliminating the need for massive log-datawarehouses.

Cybersecurity, Digital Identities, and Explicit Trust: Ensuring Secure Transits

In this sentient ecosystem, cybersecurity takes center stage in safeguarding the integrity and confidentiality of systems, data, and services. This is especially true for public transportation systems, where security breaches could lead to service disruptions, privacy violations, or even physical safety risks. Robust cybersecurity measures, therefore, become not only beneficial but absolutely essential for safe and secure transit operations.

Public transportation between- and in cognitive cities will leverage digital identities, biometrics, and advanced wireless technologies to enhance security. Digital identities - unique digital representations of individual users - combined with biometric data, can provide a powerful means to authenticate and authorize users. This multi-factor authentication process ensures that only authorized individuals can access critical systems, and it makes it possible for passengers to use gateless entry via biometric data, streamlining the boarding process while enhancing security.

Moreover, the introduction of microchips for ticketing systems, communicating via Near Field Communication (NFC) and Bluetooth technologies, will further elevate the passenger experience. These contactless, wireless technologies can speed up the ticketing process, reduce queues, and lower the risk of physical contact, all while ensuring secure transactions.

Identity sovereignty platforms will enable citizens to control consent and capitalize on their personal data. It's about time we get this straightened out.

However, the implementation of the above technologies also comes with an increased responsibility for safeguarding user data and privacy. As such, the design and deployment of these systems will adhere to the principles of privacy by design, ensuring that robust data protection measures are built into the technology from the ground up. New robust encryption standards will have to protect hyperconnected services where data and synthetic data flows between physical and virtual worlds.

In conjunction with these security measures, future cognitive cities will emphasize the concept of explicit trust. This idea centers on systems regularly demonstrating their reliability and security to earn and maintain user trust. Through constant performance feedback, regular security audits, transparency in data handling practices, and pro-active and responsive measures to address any potential security concerns, these systems will work continually to build and maintain the trust of their users.

The Future Vision: A Symphony of People, Technologies, and Decentralized Systems

Future cognitive cities, harnessing a broad range of technologies, will dramatically reshape the public transportation experience into one that is seamless, efficient, and immersive. A symbiosis of secure technology will elevate public transportation systems into highly responsive, reliable, and secure services.?

These intelligent software defined networks will not merely function as interconnected systems, but will communicate, analyze, learn, and respond to citizens' needs. They will foster explicit trust and enhance travel experiences, primarily through augmented reality, laying the foundation for a more sustainable, efficient, and livable urban environment.

Decentralized societal technologies will further advance this transformation, leading to democratic, resilient, and enjoyable urban environments. Blockchain, the metaverse, and other decentralizing forces will empower citizens to actively participate in shaping their cities, enriching travel experiences, and amplifying security and trust in public transport services.?

In this futuristic vision, these various technologies converge, fostering a new era of cognitive, sustainable, and citizen-inclusive urban living. This future is not just about technologically advanced cities; it's about inclusive cities that put people first, promoting a sense of community, trust, and shared responsibility. The cognitive city of the future will be a harmonious blend of people, technology, and decentralized systems, all working together to create a frictionless, sustainable and enjoyable urban life.

Dimitri van Zantvliet , August 2023