Intelligent Solutions Beyond Technology

As companies in a multitude of industries seek to solve problems of the present and future with new solutions, there is always an emphasis on “intelligent” options: creating technologically advanced versions of established infrastructure. From smartphones to smart refrigerators, these products join the Internet of Things and provide invaluable data and insight that allows us to streamline and improve our daily lives.

But in all of the discussion of smart technology, we must also focus on making our own decision-making as intelligent as possible. For as much as we can rely on smart device information to inform our choices, there are also several paths that we can take to maximize the impact of our enhanced infrastructure. Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) should not only refer to the technology involved, but also the vision and choices of industry leaders.

With that in mind, here are three collective decisions that will allow us all to draw more from our technological advances.

1. Maximizing Previous Investments | While it can be inspiring to create a new, revolutionary transportation system, we can arguably find as much value in bringing new operational capabilities to established systems. The first version of any new infrastructure is never completely flawless, and leveraging the lessons learned from these unintended consequences allows us to develop solutions that amplify the efficiency of our existing infrastructure. And in choosing to complement these systems rather than replace them outright, we are able to deliver improvements and solutions that are faster and more cost-effective than sweeping changes.
2. Collaboration Over Competition | While a great number of technological advancements have come as a result of competition between companies or governments, we have reached a point where our developments in the transportation industry will benefit far more from collaboration and integration. Many cities rely on multiple transportation agencies and companies to serve their citizens, and the potential benefit of integrated information and communication technology (ICT) grows as more organizations are involved. Powerful examples can be seen in cities like London and Berlin, where travelers benefit from integrated systems for efficient service and real-time information. At a corporate level, the incentive for collaboration is arguably as strong: Cubic is proud of its partnerships with companies like Microsoft, Cisco, and Mastercard to work towards the intelligent solutions of the future.
3. Innovation Fueled by Open Data | In addition to established industry partnerships, our transportation community can create a spirit of collaboration by sharing data freely throughout the industry. If each individual transport agency were left with only their own data to make decisions for the future, we would be forcing thousands of organizations to “reinvent the wheel” with regard to many upgrades and innovations; by moving towards open data, we allow travelers throughout the world to reap the rewards of society’s progress. A rising tide lifts all ships, and so too does open data propel all transportation.

What do you think of these suggestions towards “Working Beyond Technology”? Don’t forget to like the article, share your comments and insights.

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