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.
