Page 33 - TT Magazine Aug-Sep 2018

INFRASTRUCTURE

dramatically alter the face of the these changes can lead to cities that
transport sector. As we see it, this are compact, sustainable, healthy, and
change will be led by three factors: livable.
Sharing Platforms: online platforms However, digital innovation does
are making it easier than ever to match not automatically guarantee that the
supply and demand, resulting in the future of mobility will indeed be more
development of a growing sharing sustainable. If we don’t get it right,
economy. these disruptions could also exacerbate
Electric Technology: innovation in existing urban transport problems. The
batteries, fast charging capabilities, and deployment of electric vehicles, for
electric technology will make electric instance, could reduce the urgency to
vehicles a viable alternative in the near manage motorization and lead to less
future. livable, congested cities. The transition vehicles driving around in traffic all day
to driverless cars has challenges as
Automation: most new vehicles to avoid parking fees.
today have some safety-critical control well, as it is not clear how to make Special infrastructure – such as special
autonomous vehicles perform in a
function – such as steering, throttle mixed environment. lanes or zones - inspired by today’s low-
or brakes – already automated. Major emission zones and high-occupancy
automakers and software companies Jaywalking pedestrians or less-than- lanes could facilitate the transition to
have announced they would release fully perfect manual drivers would cause light small autonomous “commuter
automated vehicles in the near future. autonomous cars to stop; experts cars”, ideally in a ride-sharing mode.
One forecast suggests automated suggest that to get the societal gains A particularly hard question will be
vehicles would become mandatory in from autonomous - most of the how to address issues of equitable
some markets before 2050. fleet on that road would need to be access in the most cost-effective
autonomous. Thus, while society and
One of the main potential advantages individuals may have much to gain from manner, in an environment where
of automation is safer driving. While a fully autonomous stream, without technology is quickly evolving. One
a large part of vehicle design today policy incentives individual consumers principle could be to direct subsidies
is dictated by safety imperatives, a may not have adequate incentive to at consumers directly rather than at
safer autonomous system could allow pioneer the use of autonomous cars particular modes such as buses.
for different and significantly lighter if most other cars are manually driven. From a practical standpoint, the
vehicles. A lower weight would, in turn, Moreover, by making driving virtually transition to driverless mobility will be
make electric propulsion more viable effortless, automated vehicles may also tricky, and the benefits of automation
by reducing the effort demanded of encourage longer trips and an exodus will only be achieved if the majority of
batteries. A fleet of easily available to the suburbs, translating into more drivers convert to automated vehicles.
automated vehicles could also make ride- and more urban sprawl. Combined
sharing more attractive, and potentially with the ease of shared mobility, these To make this happen, developing
reduce levels of auto ownership. If factors can increase congestion and the right policy framework and
a variety of automated vehicles are make public transport less viable. infrastructure will be essential. And all
readily available at costs comparable of this has to be combined with mixed
to ownership, then perhaps the thrill of Boon or bust? It all depends on policy land use policies that bring people, jobs,
using a special car on a date, but still and incentives and services closer together.
being able to use a sensible alternative to We believe that developing the The possibilities of a technology-
ferry family around or commute to work, right pricing and policy incentives will driven mobility disruption are much
will outweigh the pride of ownership for be essential to ensure technological more exciting than what a Jetson-
more consumers. In situations where innovation brings real benefits, like future could have predicted. Of
ridesharing does replace ownership, especially measures that can help put a course, innovation can be intimidating,
the evidence suggests that auto trips price on outcomes. and often comes with its fair share of
and vehicle miles travelled will decrease. A carbon tax could support zero/low- challenges. In the case of transport,
With public transport targeted to carbon technologies, while a congestion harnessing the benefits of new
primary corridors, and urban planning tax will be essential to discourage the technologies will require an acute ability
policies that promote mixed land use, nightmare scenario of zero-occupant to anticipate and adapt to change.

www.trafficinfratech-com-500653.hostingersite.com August-September ’18 / TrafficInfraTech 33