Urban Mobility is the future of Smart City

- Technology (namely the widespread penetration of smartphones on 3G/4G networks, but also Big data, cashless payment systems, and connected vehicle services and infrastructure)
- Societal changes (as ownership is being redefined with the emergence of the sharing economy and peer-to-peer networking)

Source: lgi-consulting.com

It is confirmed that thanks to IT, traveling is transformed and everything is easier for travelers. Road planning, finding the shortest way (by car or by foot), collecting fares or tolls, or just traffic management. The Internet of Things helps with transforming automobiles. Automakers are focused on connecting cars to existing voice and data networks. There is a technology based not only on popular GPS tracking but also on Bluetooth, WiFi, or UWB. And thanks to that moving around the city could be faster, cheaper and the most important  - much safer. 

How does it look like?

 

We do not have to look far away from home to see how transportation, private or public, has changed. Everything is focused on people and the environment. For people public transport became better, faster, cheaper and modern. And carsharing became a good thing for green areas in the city. What is more important, people are now focused on being eco-friendly and conscious. 

Scandinavian solutions

 

If we are thinking about IoT expansion a good example is the Nordics. They are investing in smart public transportation. Sharing vehicles became very popular so the infrastructure is connected. Roadside sensors and positioning technologies have increased the amount of traffic information that is gathered. Everything is based on software services such as cloud and analytics tools. Thanks to 4G and modern smartphones transportation services are on a high level. We can predict the traffic or the crowd inside the bus. Counting people has helped with more efficient route planning. One all of that helped to lower fuel costs and the ride is smoother for passengers. Authorities of the biggest Nordic cities want to increase the share of public transport. They assumed that only the digitalization of the system could help to improve it. More and more contracts also include specific clauses regarding customer satisfaction and safety, such as Wi-Fi and surveillance cameras onboard. In Norway, most buses or trains in the city are focused on decreased environmental impact and cost-efficiency. Following successful examples from the Swedish market, the Danish Public Transport Authorities formalized new goals, predominantly focused on increased connectivity, availability and eco-driving. Finally, the city of Helsinki has set a goal, to provide a mobility-as-a-service concept by 2025, which makes it quite unnecessary to own a car.

 

Source: Telia A. S.

Innovative ideas from Poland

 

Westbee

 

There is a solution to make the payment in a very easy way. Westbee is a comprehensive solution, being an ideal alternative to classic system city cards. It is an innovative analysis system and optimization of urban transport. Easier in commissioning and cheaper than solutions dedicated to big cities, and at the same time user-friendly - passengers and self-governments administering the communication. How does it work? A network of traffic lights at stops and in vehicles small devices emit a signal in BLE technology; they allow passenger traffic to be recorded. The module communicates with the beacon monitors, monitors the stops where the passenger gets in and out. Mobile application and payment module with payment card tools that allow the passenger to get easy access to call information and purchase tickets. The main system and analysis module collect and process passenger traffic information. The diagnostic module detects inactive navigation signals and allows for a quick repair. 

 

DSDi

 

Look at DSDi from Cracow. Poland is a good example of innovations that are not visible for users but help to predict traffic or choose the best route. They are using the system DSDi Flow which thanks to beacons counts people who come in and out of the bus. DSDi Flow terminals work in a way that is completely invisible to passengers. The system can provide information about the number of passengers at stations, stops and in individual vehicles, as well as average travel time, how long passengers are waiting for vehicle utilization, and infrastructure at different times and on different days of the week. DSDi Flow can also be used to measure passenger flows between specific locations. It is a comprehensive tool for analyzing and optimizing routes, stops, and timetables.

Summary

 

So what is next? Most cities predict that the city area should not be for cars, there is only a place for public transport. But what about citizens? What is an alternative to a comfortable car? As we are looking at how European cities are changing we do not have to be afraid about our future. But if we look a little farther, we will see how technology could improve the lives of citizens. World’s First Commercial Hyperloop is coming to Abu Dhabi in a few months. It could connect people and goods at extremely high speeds. Is it possible? We will believe in it when we see it. 

We have a piece of advice for governments: do not forget about technology because we are here to help you with innovation, health, and safety. 

 

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