With the increase of the global economy, the global transportation and logistics industry has continually undergone expansion. However, this increase lends to a demand of not only increased capacity, but efficiency and flexibility as we transition to low-emission transport.
Changing consumer behaviours and technical innovations are likewise accelerating demand for smart logistics and freight systems. There is an increasing need for connecting infrastructures (e.g. road, rail, air, shipping), tracking goods (tagged cargo) as well as efficient automatic distribution in urban areas independent of a transport provider.
Staying mobile and connected is a particular a challenge in remote areas where cost-efficient solutions are needed to serve the local population. In contrast, urban areas need shared, on-demand, electric, connected, autonomous, and multimodal solutions for the mobility transformation.
Planning and providing a variety of new services to meet urban needs is a complex challenge. Traditional automotive, public, and private transport models are being challenged by new services and transport solutions. Cities need up-to-date traffic information, research to plan new electric infrastructure, and manage multiple streams on vehicles and transportation systems. Policy makers are also faced with various complex tasks from monitoring emissions to efficient and sustainable spatial planning and governance.
Smart traffic management systems are becoming crucial for identifying the optimal transport mix of public and private transport, and optimising utilisation of vehicles and roads in real-time (speed and traffic density, tolling, parking, congestion, charging, among others). Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platforms are one such innovation that allows the integration of various forms of transport into a single service: from micro-mobility to on-demand-shuttles.
Connectivity is major precondition for smart mobility and smart logistics, including vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure connectivity. On-board and external sensors, such as on-vehicle cameras, low resolution radar or ultrasonic sensors, create large volumes of data which need to be transferred in a fast and secure manner. Digital platforms, artificial intelligence systems, machine learning and data processing capabilities will determine the further technical development path. As transport systems become increasingly automated, leading ultimately to Connected Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) and Autonomous Aeronautical Vehicles (UAVs), the need for satellite connectivity and precise and reliable navigation services is becoming ever more vital.
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