Understanding Urban Mobility Strategies for Smart Cities

Smart Mobility Solutions

Public Transportation: It is often said that a developed community is one where the commuters use public transport more than personalized modes. Mass transportation can lead to considerable reduction in the traffic on street and could reduce the emission levels. However, the operational efficiency of the system will be vital in attracting more number of passengers along with the provision of better quality at cheaper rates. Further, providing exclusive right of way for public transportation will reduce the travel time and attract more passengers. Interchange infrastructure, that offers seamless interchange for the last mile connectivity, needs to be provided at suitable locations.

Pedestrian Friendly Street Design: Walking is one of the most simple and commonly used mode of transport and every commuter becomes a pedestrian at some part of the journey. Lack of proper pedestrian facilities have forced pedestrians to look for other modes of travel. Thus redesigning the streets, which is centred on pedestrians, will encourage commuters to walk than depend on motorized transport, especially for short trips. Pedestrian facilities are to be physically segregated form vehicular traffic and designed to suit and assist all pedestrians. The upcoming smart cities have pledged to convert several key locations within the city to be vehicle-free zones. City centres and places of tourist attraction in many European cities are closed to motorized traffic. Similarly, certain zones in Indian smart cities that house heritage structures, important landmarks, tourist attraction spots can be considered to be made vehicle free. Such an initiative around Taj Mahal in 1992, has been useful to dissuade polluting motorized traffic away from this beautiful monument.

Bicycling and Bike Sharing: Bicycle can be an environment friendly alternative for providing the last mile connectivity. However, separate lanes, which are physically segregated from the main carriageway, along the roads are essential to promote cyclists. Bike sharing projects and bike rental schemes can further encourage people towards cycling. Bike sharing network in Paris has effectively reduced the traffic by 5%. Popularizing the use of cycles and other non-motorized transportation modes will contribute to substantial reduction in air pollution in our cities.

Traffic Management: Management of traffic within a city is one vital step in avoiding congestion. Traffic management systems consist of a wide array of components including the collection and processing of realtime traffic data, traffic monitoring platforms, and traffic control systems for traffic signs and digital road signage systems. Real time traffic monitoring and use of strategic solution will improve the efficiency of the system and will ensure a smooth flow of traffic within the existing infrastructure. Use of multilevel parking facilities, especially near interchanges, will attract more passengers towards public transport. Initiatives like carpooling, park and rides schemes, congestion charge schemes, etc will relieve several streets from congestion during peak hours. An integrated Traffic Management Centre can act as showcase of state of art technologies and a bold commitment to tame the urban traffic.

Seamless Multi-modal Transport: Interchange facility at different parts of a city will help commuters to move across the available modes. Physical and online integration among various modes of transport and use of a single ticketing mode will ensure minimum waiting time for a passengers at such facilities. Facilities like online journey planners, real time information through digital signs and text messages will further enhance the travel experience. Mobility cards can help in reducing the frictions between multiple modes and also promote cashless travel in a big way.

Electrical Vehicles: Use of alternative fuels have significantly contributed to the reduction in air pollution. The use of CNG for public transport is a successful example, which is been adopted across several other places in India. However, a much better option will be to use electric powered vehicles. In many of the cities across the world (such as Barcelona, Berlin, Paris, Vienna, etc.), electric powered vehicles have been replacing many of the conventional ones. However, charging stations (can be solar powered) should be suitably located across different parts of the city for recharging these vehicles.

Smart city is an initiative that will use the advances in technology not only to alter the way cities are planned and built, but also will change the manner in which they will function. The key to the proper functioning of any city is efficiency with which its transportation network operates. Thus mobility becomes a vital aspect of a smart city and development of the city should be around its transit facilities. Vehicles have been given undue preference while designing streets and had led to the chocking of the existing facilities. Hence, it is time to shift the focus from motorized vehicles to moving people. This can be achieved by improving public transport and other associated facilities to attract more commuters. Encouraging non-motorized transportation modes and electric powered vehicles can significantly reduce vehicular emissions as well as traffic on roads. Improving of pedestrian facilities and increasing vehicle-free zones will encourage people to walk than depend on motorized modes, especially for short trips. Hence during the planning of smart cities, emphasis should be given to transit oriented development and priority should be given to non-motorized transport and pedestrians for the design of streets. This mission is a golden opportunity to pursue the new paradigm of urban development and create a habitat that meets the aspirations of new generation Indians.