Smart Transportation – Emerging Technologies to Help the Movements of People and Goods

As technology improves, so does how we live our lives day to day. While there are some drawbacks to AI, VR, and other technological advancements, the majority of changes are beneficial. Smart transportation is one of the most prominent examples of positive changes thanks to modern technological devices and improvements.

With internet-based connectivity linking transportation systems, it is easier than ever to access updated traffic reports, public transportation, emergency and public works vehicles, and shipping information.

Smart transportation is a futuristic idea, coming to fruition one smart city at a time, positively impacting communities, cities, and lives.

What Is Smart Transportation?

Smart transportation, otherwise known as an intelligent transportation system (ITS), is a group of innovative technologies that monitors transportation systems, collects data to analyze and evaluate them, and manages and maintains them with smart devices to increase the safety and efficiency of transportation systems.

With highly advanced technology infused into the transportation world, commuting, shipping, and transporting from one place to another is easier and more efficient than ever.

6 Benefits of Smart Transportation

Adding modern technology to our current transportation systems can significantly impact all aspects of daily life, from the daily commute to supply chains and shipping goods.

There are many ways smart transportation can benefit communities. Here are six of the most important benefits.

1. More Affordable Option

Utilizing smart transportation can lower costs for the public and for businesses. With easy access to an abundance of public options, people can use these services, saving more money than it would cost for private transportation. Using a bus, trolly, or shuttle is more efficient and convenient and can save users a ton of money on gas, car payments, and insurance.

Intelligent transportation is more cost-effective as a whole because it is self-maintained, uses data analysis to ensure the best routes, decreases the chance of accidents, and significantly lowers energy consumption.

2. Quick, Informative Insight

With IoT, smart devices, and connected grids, it is easier than ever for the public to access real-time information. This can include a whole slew of helpful data, including:

• Public transportation schedules
• Quickest routes
• Accident and detours
• Bus and shuttle capacity

The city and all municipalities receive quick and informative insight into transportation and traffic systems thanks to the Internet. This information can help officials find solutions to congested areas, a lack of parking, and other common complications.

Implementing smart transportation devices helps city traffic management systems keep a close watch on traffic with a fast notification when congestion occurs. It is also a great way to provide real-time alerts in case of accidents, allowing emergency responders to report to the scene faster using the most efficient route.

3. Much Safer Commuting

Smart transportation is also a safer way to travel for both people and goods. Autonomous vehicles and other smart transportation technologies lessens the chance of accidents.

These innovative devices can help with smart vehicles, traffic signals, and public transportation information. Decreasing human contact and decision-making on the roads can eliminate accidents caused by human error. Simply put, electronic devices cannot fall asleep at the wheel, drive while impaired, or become distracted.

4. Easier to Manage

Having clean, clear, and real-time data allows administrators to monitor operations, track and tend to maintenance needs, and identify areas needing repairs.

Along with maintenance management, using IoT in conjunction with data collection and analytic software, management can see what systems are working, where changes need to be made, and where to implement specific devices, apps, and monitors.

Smart technology can aid in frequent and scheduled maintenance tasks, eliminating the need for human interference. These tedious and time-consuming jobs can be programmed to ensure all systems are sound and running at optimal efficiency.

5. More Efficient and Environmentally Friendly

One thing we are all searching for these days is a way to be more efficient in every aspect of our lives. This includes saving energy, making routes more accessible, or adding additional transportation options to specific highly populated areas.

Parking sensors reduce traffic congestion by providing real-time alerts when a space becomes available, eliminating a lot of circling while searching for a parking spot.

Navigation systems used on smart vehicles can assist in fewer stops and fewer gas fills by pinpointing ideal commute times and quicker routes. This reduces the fuel used and the time it takes to get from point A to point B.

6. Modern Appeal

In such a busy world, there is nothing more appealing to the public than quick, easy, affordable, and efficient transportation. Everyone is looking for a faster way to get to work, an easier and smoother drive, and a more eco-friendly option that requires less fuel.

Increasing the availability of smart transportation will bring larger and more diverse groups of people into the city, boosting the economy and providing more interest to the community.

Smart Transportation and Emerging Technology Facts and Stats

So, what types of smart technology can we thank for all the amazing benefits of smart transportation? Well, it depends on the areas of transportation you are talking about. While everything relies on high-speed internet and smart devices, the software, monitors, and sensors differ depending on their roles in each situation.

Some systems are set up to collect data for detailed and precise analysis, while others provide immediate alerts, aid, and attention to traffic information in real-time.

Smart Transportation and Added Security

Along with the benefits listed above, you can also count on smart transportation technology to aid in reducing the amount of transportation-related attacks, accidents, and violations.

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), the rate of car theft in the nation has increased more than seven percent between 2021 and 2022, with over a million cars stolen in a single year. There are also more than six million car accidents each year, with about 90 deaths every day.

Another disturbing fact we should all be conscious of is how much pollution current transportation contributes to the environment. According to some sources, cars and trucks emit roughly 24 pounds of carbon dioxide and other gasses that contribute to global warming with every gallon burned.

Artificial intelligence, smart devices, sensors, data analysis, and other smart technologies are used to combat these concerning issues.

• Autonomic Cars: Cars that drive without human interference will decrease the number of fatal accidents that occur each day.
• CCTV and HD Cameras: Real-time HD video for additional eyes on roadways and the ability to monitor traffic with rapid response timing.
• IoT Road Sensors: Sensors installed under roadways provide data regarding weather, traffic congestion, accidents, effects on traffic conditions, and more. This assists in providing effective solutions to various issues which affect driving conditions.
• Air Quality Sensors: These sensors are used to analyze air quality to help reduce emissions.
• Video Traffic Detection: This can assist in reducing road conditions and clearing congestion during accidents to provide room for emergency responders.

These are just a few useful products found in smart transportation infrastructures that greatly benefit communities and the planet.

Supply Chain Adaption

We have seen firsthand how unforeseen conditions can impact the supply and demand markets in all industries around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced hands-free, no-contact, and strict protocols in handling the transportation of goods, as well as an employee shortage for package delivery and handling goods.

In 2021, a reported 38.8% of American small businesses experienced significant supply chain delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, around 2.14 billion people turned to online shopping to obtain goods in the same year, leaving many companies struggling to keep up.

Thanks to innovative technologies, many of these barriers in the supply chain system can now be easily rectified.

• AI and Autonomous Vehicles: Vehicles using AI or other remote means to travel eliminate the need for person-to-person contact. It can also solve the need for more drivers in various industries.
• Smart Management Traffic Systems: These systems can automatically collect data and take real-time video to produce useful information regarding road conditions, giving drivers better routes with faster delivery time. These devices can also help to re-route drivers when there is an obstruction before they get stuck in a traffic jam.
• Improved Communication Devices: More effective communication devices for smart transportation systems gives all parties a better and faster way to contact one another. Many devices are connected, allowing all operators to see the same information and data in real-time.
• Cost Management: With smart traffic and transportation equipment, companies can move products further and faster while using less energy, increasing productivity, and decreasing fuel consumption.

Smart transportation and emerging technologies are consistently increasing in popularity and improving how we travel, whether for vacation, day-to-day tasks, or business. There are many great benefits to the various products and devices available today in the smart traffic space.

Examples of Smart Transportation Implementation

There are many cities already utilizing the benefits of smart transportation systems. Each city has its own setup using various forms of technology to improve its roadways and make communing an easier and safer feat.

Here are a few examples of smart technology at its finest.

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)

SEPTA was created to develop a safer way to dispatch numerous public transportation vehicles throughout Philadelphia while maintaining a safe and efficient way to travel. This plan was implemented through “Positive Train Control” (PTC), which signals trains, monitors speeds, and prevents derailments, signal violations, and more.

Miami Dade Smart Traffic Management

The Miami Dade Smart Traffic Management System was designed to reduce delays and congestion in heavy traffic and improve vehicle mobility.

Suburban Mobility Authority for Rapid Transit (SMART)

Detroit developed an advanced technological dispatch system to assist in deploying, maintaining, and monitoring more than 300 active buses daily throughout the city.

FAQs

How does smart transportation systems work?

Smart transportation is the combination of smart infrastructure and smart vehicles. Both parts require sensors, wireless and wired internet connections, smart devices, etc. These technologies allow transportation systems to work independently to collect data, develop solutions to roadway issues, and improve transportation in communities.

What are the benefits of smart transportation systems?

There are tons of benefits to the implementation of smart transportation. Some of the most significant examples include lessened environmental impact, increased safety and security, higher efficiency, more cost-effectiveness, and easier management and maintenance.

What are the different types of smart technology for transportation?

The technological devices for smart transportation are incredible, with even more products becoming available all the time. Some types of smart technology often used for transportation benefits include road sensors, CCTV 5G video, GPS communications, and connected traffic light systems.

How does smart technology help in the movement of goods?

Smart technology provides various benefits to the transportation of goods, assisting in the supply and demand chain. Some of the ways these innovative technological devices can help include reducing the need for human interference, increasing efficiency, and reducing the chance of accidents.

Why Smart Transportation Is Changing the World

In a perfect world, car accident-related deaths would be non-existent, traffic jams would be the exception, and commutes would be smooth and fast. Unfortunately, this isn’t realistic, but we are getting closer and closer to these goals every day.

With the help of smart devices, sensors, videos, data, and more, we can feel safer on our roadways. This technology also helps reduce the stress of traveling in high-traffic areas and solves many of the significant issues associated with public transportation.