What is the future of transportation?
Are you aware that very soon, flying taxis and drones will disrupt urban transportation?
Concerns over carbon emissions and environmental impact will drive innovation toward sustainable transportation solutions. Are you into transportation management? Beware!
The future of transportation is a captivating issue that has been explored by many experts and visionaries. This future of transportation is not predetermined or fixed per research. It is expected to be shaped by the choices and actions of various actors; such as governments, businesses, civil society organisations and individuals. As such, the future of transportation is not only a matter of prediction but also a matter of participation. Everyone has a role to play in creating that better future of transportation for themselves and others, so let’s explore what this future of transportation is all about.
Considering that smart technology, electrification and operation of our vehicles without human intervention are some of the trends and innovations which could shape the future of transportation, it is also worth noting that the future of transportation is not only about technology but also about people’s needs, preferences and behaviour. As such, how people choose to travel will depend on various factors such as cost, convenience, accessibility, reliability, safety, environmental impact and social norms – which is seen happening already.
Have you realised that of recent times there is use of data, sensors, artificial intelligence and connectivity to improve the efficiency, safety and convenience of transportation systems? This is what smart technology is all about. For example, smart traffic-lights that adjust to real-time traffic conditions; smart parking systems that guide drivers to available spots; and smart mobility platforms that integrate different modes of transport and services.
The shift from fossil fuels to electricity as the main source of energy for vehicles is what electrification is all about. This could reduce greenhouse gas emissions, air-pollution and noise levels, as well as lower the operating costs of vehicles – for example, through electric cars, bikes, buses, trucks and trains that run on batteries or hydrogen fuel cells.
The development of vehicles that can operate without human intervention or supervision introduces us to the concept of autonomy. This could enhance the safety, comfort and productivity of passengers and drivers, as well as optimise the use of road space and infrastructure. For example, by utilising autonomous cars, trucks, buses, shuttles, drones and aerial vehicles that use sensors, cameras and software to navigate their environment. But what will we make of transportation’s future when at minimum we are yet to get settled with proper navigation systems.
These trends and innovations are not mutually exclusive but rather complementary and interdependent. Smart technology can enable electrification and autonomy by providing data, communication and control systems. Electrification can facilitate autonomy by simplifying the mechanical complexity and maintenance of vehicles. Autonomy can accelerate electrification by increasing the utilisation and efficiency of vehicles.
The future of transportation will likely be diverse and dynamic, offering different options and solutions for different situations and scenarios. The future of transportation is also influenced by the broader perspective of society, economy, politics and environment. Social change, urbanisation, climate change as well as demographic change could be some of the challenges and opportunities that affect the future of transportation.
On urbanisation, you can identify with the fact that growth of cities and urban areas can create more demand for mobility and transport services. Inasmuch as this could increase congestion, pollution and inequality in urban areas, it could also provide opportunities for innovation and collaboration among stakeholders.
Climate change as a factor will take a look at the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of global warming. This could create pressure for more sustainable and resilient transportation systems that use renewable energy sources and minimise environmental damage.
On demographic changes, the alterations in size, structure and distribution of the population could also create different mobility needs and expectations for different groups of people; such as aging populations, millennials, women, children and even immigrants. The changes in the values, attitudes and lifestyles of people could also create new forms of mobility culture and behaviour seen as social change.
The future of transportation is expected to be highly advanced, focusing on efficiency, sustainability and connectivity. As such, there could be some key developments we expect to see globally.
Dynamic Future Options – Use of Electric Vehicles (EVs), Autonomous Vehicles, MaaS platforms, Hyperloop and High-Speed Rail, Urban Air Mobility (UAM) and others for the future
With the growing concern over climate change, there will be a greater shift toward electric vehicles. Advances in battery technology will increase their range, reduce charging times and make them more affordable. EVs will become more mainstream and offer a sustainable alternative to traditional combustion engines.
Self-driving cars will become increasingly common. This technology will enhance safety, reduce accidents caused by human error, and improve traffic flow if well-designed and implemented globally. Autonomous vehicles will also enable new business models like ride-sharing services and reduce the need for individual car ownership.
Hyperloop technology, as we know now per research, is from Elon Musk with the sole aim of providing ultra-fast, low-pressure tube-based travel at speeds of over 700mph – allowing passengers to travel quickly and comfortably between cities. This high-speed rail system is set to revolutionise long-distance transportation.
Flying taxis and drones will disrupt urban transportation. Urban Air Mobility (UAM) aims to alleviate traffic congestion by utilising the three-dimensional airspace above cities. Vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft will enable quick and efficient transportation, reducing travel times for short- to medium-distances.
On Smart Transportation Systems, cities will integrate various technologies to create intelligent transportation systems. This includes real-time traffic management, optimised routing and scheduling, and improved public transportation systems. Smart infrastructure, such as vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication and sensors, will enable efficient traffic flow.
On Sustainable Transportation, research has it that concerns over carbon emissions and environmental impact will drive innovation toward sustainable transportation solutions. We can expect the continued development of alternative fuels, such as hydrogen, biofuels and renewable energy sources.
MaaS platforms, also known as Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS), platforms will integrate various modes of transportation – including public transport, ride-sharing, bike-sharing and more – into a single app or service. Users will have seamless access to different transportation options, optimising their travel experience and reducing reliance on private cars. They aim to provide users with seamless access to different transportation options, promoting efficiency, convenience and sustainability. The Ubers are typical examples of MaaS – including Whim as found in Finland; Citymapper available in many major cities worldwide; and Moovit and Didi Chuxing as found in China.
It’s important to note that the future of transportation is dynamic, and there may be developments which cannot be predicted with certainty now. However, these advancements represent the direction transportation is likely to take in the coming years.
Some Challenges of Mobility Platforms
Most countries are used to what I term the ‘get to the station’ approach to moving about, and different stakeholders are already cashing in on this obsolete mobility platform and are okay. With this get to the station approach, passengers usually travel to a central location in order to access the services of commercial vehicles plying different routes/destinations. Though very-time consuming, many countries still use this system even in this 21st century – of which Ghana is not an exception.
Thanks to the introduction of mobility platforms like Uber, passengers now have options and choices. From the comfort of our homes and with use of the mobile phone we select comfort, luxury and manage time efficiently. I first experienced this mobility platform system some 20 years ago outside the country, and it’s now here today for our use after such a long time. So, you see, though this future of transportation change could be at a slow pace, it will still happen as per research.
Practically, as in Political Science, we don’t change a winning team. As such, of what benefit would it be for the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) to consider using mobility platforms to innovate the transportation landscape in Ghana when they are already cashing in with the current ‘get to the station’ system and its working for them – why change?
Why would passengers travelling a short distance be willing to disclose their personal information for use to develop such innovative systems in Ghana? As government sets the transportation conversation with all stakeholders, it must address these salient issues and assure stakeholders of the benefits and opportunities thereof – as well as the road map of government.
What happens when your machines, apps and created systems know you better than yourself? How will data from the public be protected? Which investors will be given the node to access, own and use this information to the detriment of Ghanaian people and businesses? The future of transportation is dynamic, as indicated earlier; and it is expected to be shaped by the choices and actions of various actors – such as governments, businesses, civil society organisations and individuals. As such, the future of transportation is not only a matter of prediction but also a matter of participation. Let’s take note of these three (3) challenges mobility platforms face per research as the country rolls out the transportation conference.
Data Integration: Aggregating and integrating data from various transportation providers and services can be challenging, due to differences in data formats, systems and APIs. Standardisation and collaboration among different stakeholders are crucial for smooth functioning. Failure to cooperate will affect the development and use of mobility platforms.
Complex Partnerships and Regulations: Mobility platforms require collaboration and partnerships with various transportation providers, which may involve negotiating agreements, navigating regulatory challenges and ensuring data security and privacy compliance.
Balancing Service Coverage: Ensuring sufficient coverage and availability of transportation services across different areas, including urban and rural areas, is a challenge. Achieving a balance between meeting demand and optimising utilization can be complex. But our ability to manage these seamlessly is what keeps us in the transportation business.
Africa is still bedevilled with so many challenges. Considering the future is all about problem-solving. Let’s take one day at a time, brainstorming the future of transportation to discover solutions to drive the ideal future we want. Let’s remember we are not the only occupants of this planet earth – let’s think sustainability as we think future of transportation.
Baptista outlines in her writing current trends and changes to the future of work, the workforce and work itself. She is the CEO of FoReal HR Services and author of the New Book – Prepare for the Future of Work. Building teams of efficient & effective workforces is her business. Affecting lives is her calling! She is a Hybrid Professional, HR Generalist, public speaker, researcher and a prolific writer. You can reach her via e-mail on [email protected] or follow this conversation on social media pages; @Sarahtistagh. Call or WhatsApp: +233(0)262213313. Follow the hashtag #theFutureofWorkCapsules #FoWC
