Connectivity Is the Unifying Element of New Mobility

GPS devices and smartphone applications already provide connectivity to individual drivers and public transit users, but the future of New Mobility envisions networks of vehicles connected to each other and to roadside infrastructure. Such network connectivity can provide benefits ranging from better network management and improved safety to informed personal trip-making and go-anywhere infotainment.

5 January 2018
Reading Time : 3 minutes

New Mobility Now

The term “New Mobility” once referred to a futuristic concept, but the future is now. Today, New Mobility describes the progression of change in transport, technology and mobility that is transforming the global landscape. New Mobility encompasses a range of possible outcomes based on the unique starting points and specific needs of each community.

A WSP white paper shares consensus surrounding the long-term outcomes and benefits of New Mobility, with a focus on developing practical action plans. Drawing upon research derived through extensive interviews with international industry experts and direct learning from cutting-edge projects around the world, New Mobility Now is designed to assist technology firms, national, regional and local governments, transport network and system operators, investors, developers and strategic land-owners in mapping out their New Mobility future today.

New Mobility Now presents a structured approach based around five defined strands of a New Mobility future:

Automated
Connected
Electric
Shared
Business Models and Revenues

CONNECTED

The emergence of GPS devices and smartphone applications has already provided greater connectivity to drivers and public transit users. Yet, the future of New Mobility promises far greater connectivity. While current connectivity technology relies heavily on cellular communications networks that connect individuals to services, the same data collected by service providers and road network operators can produce real-time understanding of road networks.

Merging Innovations

As multiple technologies around the world continue to advance the state-of-the-art of connectivity, their widespread application and potential to be merged into broader New Mobility networks offer great promise. While today’s vehicles provide unprecedented levels of individual connectivity, pilot projects and trials already underway are looking at ways to connect vehicles to each other, as well as to roadside infrastructure and other devices that transfer data to network operators and users. The resulting two-way street will transform individual vehicles into sophisticated mobile sensors, and vehicle operators will benefit from data collectively gathered from a network.

Connectivity advances are progressing on a global level, as collaborations between vehicle manufacturers and technology developers show great progress. Yet, key decisions and even greater collaboration are required in order to pave the way to more productive futures that include much broader connectivity benefits for cities, routes and networks.

The Prospects of Greater Connectivity

The impacts of connectivity will continue to affect all types of mobility, and New Mobility Now examines the opportunities, challenges and practical next steps towards a future featuring better network and fleet management, informed personal trip-making, healthier air quality, improved safety, efficient navigation, better road asset maintenance, enhanced planning and much more.

Download the WSP white paper New Mobility Now to know more about the five strands of a New Mobility future.

Interested in learning more about the opportunities, challenges and critical steps to successfully implement New Mobility strategies? Contact WSP’s global research team at NewMobility@wsp.com and we will be pleased to provide you with valuable insight into your market.

Download New Mobility Now