Navigating a densely populated urban environment is no easy affair, and these days, it often involves multiple modes of transportation. Most of our cities are relatively well-equipped with various options to get around; from subways, commuter trains, streetcars and buses, to personal vehicles and rideshare apps, to active transportation like e-bikes, there is an abundance of options to choose from.
But quite often, the separate elements of these multi-modal transportation systems are partially or completely siloed from each other, leaving the onus to the user to plan travel and connect the different systems they will use.
The next step in the technological evolution is Smart Mobility. Smart Mobility doesn’t have one single definition; rather, it encompasses several leading-edge trends in the mobility space to move people and goods with smarter technology, data and analytics in a manner that balances safety, efficiency, comfort, sustainability, ability, inclusion, equity and cost-effectiveness. Smart Mobility encompasses the Mobility as a Service (MaaS) and Mobility on Demand (MOD) conversations, along with other services for those with a personal vehicle, such as electric vehicle charging, tolling, parking, congestion pricing,
Smart Mobility can also mean closing the gaps on our different transportation systems, connecting them automatically using a centralized Smart Mobility Platform. Imagine using a single app to set up your trip, which could automatically arrange an Uber ride to the train station? With a Smart Mobility Platform, that much and more would be possible, seamlessly integrating public and private transportation providers with a single point of contact for the end-user.
To deliver on the promises of Smart Mobility, we will need to establish strong data governance systems, build relationships and buy-in with the many stakeholders, and create the groundwork for a smarter way to travel. Learn more about the next steps by listening to our mobility experts’ Smart Mobility podcast, and reading our Smart Mobility and Data Governance whitepaper.
Listen to the podcast
Smart Mobility
What if we could improve the efficiency of how people and goods move? What if we can optimize the mode of travel based on disparate features such as weather, price and reliability of the trip, and other factors significant to the user? Listen in as Mara Bullock breaks down the complex and exciting world of smart mobility—a utopia that has yet to exist—and how it can change the way we commute.
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