THE HISTORY OF TRANSPORTATION

Shared Mobility

Shared mobility, which includes services like car-sharing, ride-hailing, bike-sharing, and public transport innovations, is revolutionizing urban transportation. While these initiatives often start at the local level, their impact can resonate globally.

Urban mobility is undergoing significant changes due to challenges like rising urbanization, congestion, and pollution, along with opportunities for innovation. As cities grow and transportation demand increases, a smarter and more sustainable approach to mobility is needed to address these issues. Public transit systems are often overcrowded and require modernization, while cities are struggling with traffic and air pollution.

The Sharing economy, particularly through shared mobility, has emerged as an important solution. This model allows people to share or rent vehicles, such as cars, bicycles, or electric scooters, which reduces the reliance on private car ownership and helps ease congestion. Examples include car-sharing services, carpooling, and short-term rentals, all of which provide flexible transportation options for users.

Technological innovations in smartphones, websites, social media, and algorithms have made these services more accessible and efficient. People can now easily rent or borrow vehicles or arrange “door-to-door” transportation whenever needed. These digital tools help connect users with available transportation, streamlining mobility and providing more sustainable options.

By embracing Smart mobility through the Sharing economy, local efforts can bring about significant global change. When properly implemented, these initiatives can reduce traffic congestion, lower emissions, and improve transportation efficiency, creating a more sustainable future for urban transportation systems worldwide.

Smart mobility: what is it and why is it so important?

As the global population increases, governments and cities are implementing new policies and strategies to meet the mobility needs of citizens while also focusing on sustainability and economic growth. Smart Mobility refers to an intelligent transportation system that integrates multiple transport modes with advanced technologies like sensors, big data, artificial intelligence, and telematics. It forms the backbone of Smart Cities, which are designed to offer innovative, efficient, and sustainable mobility solutions while prioritizing safety and equity.

Smart mobility includes various transportation options such as traditional gas and electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, public transportation, and rail systems. It also encompasses modern technologies like Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), Smart Parking, and on-demand services such as ride-sharing for bikes, scooters, and car-sharing programs. These technologies enable more precise and efficient scheduling for the transportation of people and goods, improving overall reliability and safety.

By utilizing modern solutions, smart mobility can optimize internal systems and processes across transportation networks. This results in smoother operations, better service delivery, enhanced customer experiences, and significant reductions in fuel consumption, costs, and resource use. Additionally, these strategies contribute to substantial decreases in CO2 emissions, supporting global efforts to combat climate change and improve urban sustainability.

Intelligent Transportation Systems: What is it and how does it work?

As cities embrace digitization, urban planners and officials are increasingly turning to new technologies to better manage growing populations and improve city services. One area of focus is transportation, where Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) have become essential for building Smart Cities. These systems go beyond traditional traffic control, offering a smarter, more efficient, and safer approach to managing urban mobility.

Intelligent Transportation Systems use advanced technologies like sensors, data analytics, communication networks, and artificial intelligence to optimize traffic flow, reduce congestion, and enhance the overall transportation experience. They provide real-time data on traffic patterns, road conditions, and public transportation schedules, allowing cities to make more informed decisions about managing their transport networks.

By improving efficiency and safety, ITS addresses common transit issues such as traffic jams and delays, while also boosting security through better monitoring and management of transport infrastructure. These systems are considered crucial to achieving efficient mobility in cities, which explains why many countries are either implementing or planning to adopt ITS solutions.

What is ITS?

An Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) is a key part of the Internet of Things (IoT), using vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication technologies. These systems combine wireless and wired communication technologies with information and electronics to improve the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of transportation networks. ITS is primarily used in traffic management to reduce congestion and enhance the overall user experience.

ITS involves cutting-edge technologies that operate wirelessly and through automation. These technologies enable vehicles like trucks, personal cars, and buses to communicate with each other and with transportation infrastructure. For example, automation allows buses to dock precisely at stops, while collision avoidance systems increase road safety. The system relies on a wide range of applications and sensors that process and share data about vehicles' positions and status. This data is communicated to other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and infrastructure, all connected through cloud-based systems.

ITS is already having a significant impact on the transportation industry through various applications such as electronic toll collection, traffic light cameras, traffic signal coordination, ramp meters, and traveler information systems. These systems benefit both the public and commercial users by improving transportation efficiency, reducing traffic delays, lowering environmental impacts, and creating economic advantages through better management of transportation networks. Generally we classify Intelligent Transport Systems into three categories:

Mobility

In the context of mobility, Intelligent Transportation System technology is designed to find the most efficient route from a starting point to a final destination. It does this by considering several key factors such as distance, time, and energy consumption. ITS compares this information with real-time data from a variety of sources to calculate the optimal route for a journey.

This technology not only helps individual travelers but also plays a crucial role in managing and monitoring entire transportation networks. For example:

• Traffic signals can be adjusted in real-time to improve traffic flow based on current road conditions.
• Transit operators can manage bus or train schedules dynamically, responding to delays or changes in demand.
• Emergency and maintenance services can be dispatched promptly to address accidents or breakdowns, ensuring smoother operations across the network.

By optimizing routes and improving the management of transportation systems, ITS contributes to faster, more energy-efficient travel while reducing congestion and enhancing overall mobility in cities.

Safety

When an Intelligent Transport System is applied to improve safety, it can provide real-time alerts, such as speed warnings on slippery roads, which helps reduce the risk of accidents and fatalities. This is crucial, as traffic crashes claim thousands of lives each year. ITS uses data from sensors and weather information to detect dangerous conditions, then issues warnings to drivers, allowing them to adjust their speed or take alternative routes to avoid hazards.

Beyond road warnings, ITS plays a vital role in vehicle safety by integrating technologies such as collision avoidance systems and emergency braking, enhancing driver response to potential risks. It can also assist in emergency management by quickly dispatching emergency services to accident sites or road incidents, ensuring faster response times and potentially saving lives.

Environment

Intelligent Transport Systems are essential for addressing the challenges of rising emissions and traffic congestion in cities. These systems use real-time traffic data to help authorities and operators make informed decisions that enhance the efficiency of transportation networks. By monitoring traffic conditions and adjusting signals, routes, and public transit operations accordingly, ITS ensures smoother traffic flow across all modes of transportation.

This improved flow of vehicles on daily trips leads to significant fuel savings, as cars spend less time idling in traffic or taking longer routes. As a result, there are fewer harmful emissions being released into the atmosphere, contributing to a positive environmental impact. Additionally, travelers can reach their destinations faster and more efficiently, reducing the number of vehicles on the road and making travel more sustainable.

How does it work?

Intelligent Transportation Systems can vary based on their specific purposes, but their core principles remain the same. These systems rely on advanced technologies like Computer Vision, Deep Learning, Edge Computing, and the Internet of Things to develop smart solutions for transportation challenges.

An ITS model typically follows several stages:

• Data Collection: Sensors, cameras, and other devices gather traffic, vehicle, and environmental data.
• Data Annotation: Collected data is labeled and organized to prepare it for analysis.
• Data Analysis: This data is then analyzed using algorithms to detect patterns, predict outcomes, or identify traffic conditions.
• Training and Testing AI Models: Artificial intelligence (AI) models are trained using this data to make accurate predictions and improve system functions over time.

These processes enable ITS to perform various functions:

• Speed control to regulate traffic flow.
• Capacity management to optimize road and public transport usage.
• Efficiency and safety improvements in multi-modal mobility (cars, buses, trains, etc.).
• Fuel usage reduction by optimizing traffic flow.
• Incident management to detect and respond quickly to accidents or other traffic issues.

ITS technologies help make transportation more efficient, safer, and environmentally friendly by leveraging cutting-edge tech and data-driven insights.

ITS applications

Automation is a key advantage of Intelligent Transportation Systems, as tasks that once required human intervention can now be performed automatically. This reduces the need for manual control and increases efficiency, allowing systems to operate seamlessly. For example, traffic signals, toll collection, and even incident detection can be managed autonomously.

Another benefit is the ability to monitor and adjust road networks in real-time. Using advanced sensors, cameras, and data sources, ITS can gather real-time information on traffic conditions, road usage, and incidents. In the past, this data was collected using costly infrastructure, but newer technologies allow for cheaper and more abundant data collection methods.

In addition to real-time monitoring, advanced data analytics helps analyze both current and historical data, using AI systems to predict traffic patterns, optimize routes, and improve overall traffic management.

Moreover, travelers now have access to a wider variety of channels to receive real-time travel information. Instead of relying solely on road signs, users can access up-to-the-minute updates through their mobile devices or in-car systems. This allows them to make informed decisions about routes, delays, or alternate modes of transportation, leading to faster and more convenient journeys.

Intelligent Transportation Systems offer significant benefits by optimizing trips and improving the efficiency of transportation networks. ITS provides route guidance, which helps travelers choose the most efficient paths, reducing unnecessary mileage and minimizing the time spent on congested highways and streets. Additionally, ITS encourages the use of alternative transportation modes, such as public transit, cycling, or walking, to ease the pressure on road networks.

One of the key advantages of ITS is its impact on air quality. By optimizing travel routes and reducing fuel consumption, ITS lowers the emission of pollutants, improving overall environmental conditions. It also decreases reliance on foreign oil by facilitating more efficient use of vehicles and fuel.

ITS manages traffic and transit systems by considering factors like travel timing, acceleration, deceleration, and stopping patterns. By reducing time spent idling in traffic and controlling vehicle movements, fuel consumption is lowered. This leads to less congestion and greater efficiency across all types of vehicles—personal, commercial (such as delivery trucks), public transportation, and emergency services.

In the case of emergency services, ITS also improves response times by providing the quickest, most efficient routes, ensuring that they can reach their destinations faster, saving lives and reducing damage during emergencies.

Why the needs of ITS?

Intelligent Transportation Systems have the potential to address many of the longstanding challenges in the transportation industry. Cities are experiencing increasing levels of congestion, leading to longer travel times and significant stress on infrastructure. Additionally, billions of dollars are spent annually on maintenance, dealing with road accidents, and the resulting fatalities from crashes.

ITS provides solutions by:

• Improving transit efficiency: ITS optimizes traffic flow, reduces bottlenecks, and helps manage transportation networks more effectively, leading to shorter travel times.
• Enhancing safety: With technologies like collision avoidance systems, automated traffic management, and real-time monitoring, ITS significantly reduces the risk of accidents.
• Optimizing systems and processes: Through data analysis and automation, ITS streamlines transportation management, improving the performance of vehicles and infrastructure.
• Saving money and fuel: By reducing congestion and idling time, ITS helps save fuel and lowers the costs associated with road maintenance and repairs.
• Reducing environmental impact: ITS promotes more efficient use of vehicles and public transit, which cuts fuel consumption and lowers emissions, helping to mitigate transportation’s effects on the environment.

Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is crucial to achieving sustainability goals and preserving the future of our planet for upcoming generations. The transportation sector, being one of the largest contributors to emissions, plays a key role in this effort. Intelligent Transportation Systems can drive this transformation by shifting transportation towards more sustainable and efficient practices.

Experts view the digitization of the transport sector as a major step toward reducing emissions and improving transportation. This includes the adoption of technologies that optimize routes, reduce congestion, and promote cleaner energy usage. A significant milestone in this process is highlighted in the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, which aims to deploy automated mobility on a large scale by 2030. Automated mobility is expected to enhance safety and efficiency, helping eliminate fatalities across various modes of transportation and creating a safer, more reliable transit network.

Implementing these advanced technologies, however, requires significant effort, including the involvement of skilled personnel, substantial resources, and time. Despite these challenges, the long-term benefits—such as reducing emissions, improving safety, and advancing global mobility systems—make the investment well worth it. As technology continues to evolve, the future of sustainable transport and smart mobility looks promising, and these innovations are expected to bring about transformative changes in how we move and interact with our environment.

ITS and Carbon Footprint

The term “carbon footprint” refers to the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs), such as carbon dioxide (CO2), released into the atmosphere through human activities like driving cars, manufacturing, and energy consumption. These emissions are considered one of the primary drivers of global warming, which is the gradual increase in Earth’s average temperatures. This warming leads to more extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and widespread environmental changes, commonly referred to as climate change.

As Earth's natural resources become depleted, the growing demand for consumption and production only worsens the situation. To address this pressing challenge, governments, organizations, and global agencies have combined efforts to reduce carbon emissions and slow down the effects of climate change. Understanding our carbon footprint is key to recognizing the impact of our daily activities on the environment.

Route optimization uses advanced technologies like AI and data analytics to improve the efficiency of traffic and transportation networks. The goal is to find the most efficient routes for vehicles, reducing travel time, fuel consumption, and congestion on the roads.

Route optimization works by collecting real-time data from various sources, including sensors, cameras, GPS, and traffic reports. This data is then processed to identify patterns, predict traffic conditions, and suggest the best routes for vehicles to take. It takes into account factors like traffic density, road conditions, weather, and accidents to make informed decisions.

Vehicle fleet management uses advanced technologies like AI, GPS, data analytics, and IoT sensors to improve the efficiency, safety, and performance of vehicle fleets. This system allows fleet managers to monitor, track, and manage their vehicles in real-time, ensuring that operations are streamlined and costs are minimized.

public transit optimization uses advanced technologies such as AI, real-time data analytics, and GPS to improve the efficiency, reliability, and convenience of public transportation systems. By integrating these technologies, public transit agencies can better manage their fleets, schedules, and routes, enhancing the overall experience for passengers and making transit operations more effective.

Autonomous vehicles integrate advanced technologies like AI, sensors, GPS, and machine learning to enable vehicles to drive themselves with little to no human intervention. These autonomous vehicles (AVs) rely on a network of systems that allow them to navigate roads, respond to traffic conditions, and make real-time decisions to ensure safe and efficient transportation.

Demand management refers to the use of advanced technologies and strategies to influence and optimize the demand for transportation services. The goal is to reduce congestion, improve efficiency, and balance travel demand across various modes of transportation. By managing when, where, and how people travel, ITS helps create a more sustainable and efficient transportation system.

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