February 2, 2024

The New Normal in Transportation

Three emerging digital technologies for the new normal in transport

The consensus in the transport and digital development communities has long been that digital tools can transform transportation. These tools have been instrumental in promoting system efficiency in logistics, ensuring access for all by mapping out travel patterns for vulnerable groups, and even reducing transport’s environmental impact through apps that alert residents about high pollution levels. Digital solutions are considered a key pathway to achieving Sustainable Mobility for All. However, the emergence of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in 2019 had introduced an unprecedented global crisis, abruptly disrupted our daily lives and mobility options. Following transport shutdowns and restrictions, a new phase has emerged, characterized by a blend of shut-ins, recovery efforts, and considerable uncertainty. The long-term trajectory for transport is now uncharted territory, likely influenced by volatile oil prices, financially distressed public transport operators, and a new stigma surrounding shared mobility due to contagion fears. As societies brace for an unknown new normal, technology plays a crucial role in keeping our communities functional amid lockdowns and quarantines. In this blog, we look ahead to explore three complementary technology developments in transport that could become integral aspects of the evolving landscape.

Placing data capture and sharing at the heart of mobility solutions
 

Data has always surrounded us, but the ability to capture raw information in real time, interpret it, share it, and utilize it for informed decision-making has become more sophisticated. Advanced devices enable the logging of granular data over temporal and spatial resolutions, allowing for the synthesis of “big data” and facilitating large-scale data sharing. While data use in transportation has been on the rise, the urgency for innovation has increased. Countries and major corporations are now collaborating to utilize open-source data on people’s mobility trends to make decisions related to enforcing lockdowns, ensuring the mobility of essential workers, monitoring public transit, and implementing various strategies. Data platforms are playing a crucial role in ensuring effective space management in shared mobility (e.g., metros) and enabling a staggered approach to travel. In the long term, data will be essential to optimize Mobility as a Service (MaaS) systems in real-time to meet the dynamic supply and demand for both freight and passenger travel. Simultaneously, as attitudes towards data sharing evolve, it is imperative to explore technologies that address ethical, privacy, and security concerns while still facilitating big data analytics and adaptive data sharing across both the private and public sectors.

Innovating intelligent transport systems at scale

he ongoing 4th Industrial Revolution signifies a convergence of advancements across various technologies. Within this transformative phase, we witness the emergence of smart transport systems characterized by connectivity, integration, and data-driven operations. Technologies like contactless payment systems in transit, the utilization of smart containers and electronic documentation in logistics, and the deployment of temperature-checking infrared cameras on buses have swiftly transitioned from conveniences to necessities in crisis response scenarios.

As economies reopen, a surge in private vehicle use is anticipated due to sanitary concerns. In this context, the significance of technologies such as adaptive sensors in smart traffic lights becomes paramount to ensuring the safe and efficient movement of pedestrians and traffic. Likewise, the implementation of smart curbside management and optimized deliveries through smart city systems will contribute to the efficient movement of freight. Looking ahead, innovations like smart buses equipped with high-tech enhanced pathogen filtration systems will play a crucial role in reviving demand and instilling a sense of health safety in public transport.

Embracing vehicular automation and mobile robots

In China, autonomous vehicles (AV) played a valuable role by providing access to essential commodities for healthcare professionals and the general public during a crisis. These vehicles delivered goods in affected areas and assisted in disinfecting hospitals, minimizing person-to-person transmission, and addressing staff shortages. Although experts often emphasize that long-term applications of AV technology are best suited for urban areas and dense spaces, with limited relevance in rural and sparsely populated regions, some view the COVID-19 applications optimistically as initial steps toward a fully autonomous future.

In conclusion, the three highlighted technology areas represent only a fraction of the potential for digital innovation and applications in a dynamic and ever-evolving mobility environment. While digital technologies offer unprecedented tools for steering the transport sector towards a sustainable future, they are just one component of a broader response effort. Recognizing the unique needs of each country, city, and region is crucial for a successful recovery of the global mobility system. Achieving this requires an understanding of the evolving macroeconomic environment, a high degree of agility, and substantial cooperation between sectors and stakeholders.

 Source: WorldBank