The digital transformation of mobility presents exciting opportunities for the transport sector. Thanks to smart mobility, the quality of technological transport platforms has improved. Furthermore, this service has become cleaner, safer, and more efficient.
Major advances in digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud and edge computing, and 5G networks are driving the digital transformation of the mobility sector. In fact, autonomous vehicles are booming, enabling new transportation solutions such as robotic taxis, connected trucks, and driverless delivery systems.
New mobility services enabled by digital platforms are changing the way we move, from shared mobility (such as ridesharing and bike sharing) to Mobility as a Service (MaaS), even when it provides access to multiple modes of transport in a single app. Freight transport relies more heavily on greater synchronization between modes.
The data generated and exchanged by vehicles is skyrocketing.
Autonomous vehicles could produce around 4 terabytes of data per day (Intel). Vehicles are becoming increasingly connected to their physical and digital environment. New habits and behaviors brought about by digitalization, such as the rapid development of e-commerce and remote work, are transforming mobility patterns.
What are the benefits and challenges ahead?
The benefits of smart, connected, and automated mobility include making roads, railways, and waterways safer. By optimizing the use of vehicles and infrastructure, it can improve efficiency, reduce congestion, and help lower emissions.
CAM can also create business opportunities and increase competitiveness, and will make transport more accessible for the elderly or people with disabilities, transforming travel in the coming years. Mobility as a service enables seamless multimodal travel and facilitates access to greener alternatives, and can help decarbonize transport.
Leveraging the complementarity between different modes of transport would allow for more efficient use of resources and save time, as well as costs for passengers and carriers. Sharing and exchanging mobility data can improve synchronization between different modes of transport and infrastructure.
Access to large datasets drives the development of AI-powered applications. Better access to mobility data will help public authorities monitor transportation activities and their impacts, and plan transportation infrastructure and services. Access to mobility data can create new sources of value: data from car sensors, for example, can be very valuable to insurance, navigation, or road maintenance companies.
Supporting the transition to zero-emission mobility. AI can improve the energy efficiency of electric or hydrogen vehicles and optimize the deployment of charging infrastructure. Bidirectional electric vehicle charging could provide grid flexibility, allowing for optimized energy use and production while better integrating renewable energy sources.
Such sector coupling requires digital enablers and real-time data exchange. Simplified visionary use case for sector coupling: energy-connected electromobility and smart buildings.
Challenges of smart mobility
Intelligent transportation systems require significant investment to develop and deploy new technologies and infrastructure. We will need a continuous stream of cloud computing to process large amounts of data in real time, and 5G connectivity to ensure fast and reliable data transfer.
Artificial Intelligence is needed to analyze complex information, for chips in smart vehicles, and for new types of automotive operating systems. The transportation sector is currently heavily reliant on technologies such as AI, cloud computing, and semiconductors.
The European mobility ecosystem comprises a multitude of actors with varying specializations and sizes. This diversity is a strength, but it can also lead to fragmentation. To harness the benefits of digitalization, mobility, and transport, stakeholders will need to forge partnerships, pool investments, and agree on common standards, infrastructure, platforms, and governance frameworks to achieve critical mass.
It also seeks to avoid dependence on large, dominant players. Ensuring security and privacy is paramount. The digitization and automation of transportation pose challenges in terms of personal data protection, cybersecurity, and user acceptance. Cyberattacks can disrupt services, damage systems, steal data, and even cause injuries.
Smart mobility contributes to the management of social impacts
Social acceptance of autonomous mobility will be key to its deployment. This transition will require new skills and could lead to the disappearance of certain types of jobs. Therefore, it must be well managed. Certain new forms of smart mobility create types of work characterized by more flexible conditions, which must comply with labor laws to guarantee social protection. Digitalization is an essential enabler for the transformation toward safer, more efficient, accessible, and sustainable mobility.
