As urban populations grow, tech-driven solutions are making mobility more efficient and sustainable.
Cities and transportation have always shaped each other, but today’s rapid urbanization is pushing transit systems to their limits. More than 4 billion people live in cities, and that is expected to increase to about 6 billion by 2050, according to the United Nations. However, as it is, only half of urban residents currently have reliable access to public transit.
With cities generating 85% of global economic output, efficient transportation networks are more critical than ever. To meet the demands of modern city living, transit authorities around the world are increasingly adopting innovative technologies to create smarter, more interconnected transit systems.
Sustainable Transport and Electrification
Electric vehicles (EVs) are at the heart of making transportation more sustainable as climate concerns grow. In 2023, Stockholm debuted the world’s first electric passenger ferry. That same year, Dakar, Senegal, launched Sub-Saharan Africa’s first fully electric Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line. Backed by the World Bank, this project took the equivalent of 250,000 gas-powered cars off the road each year.
Policies to make EVs more accessible are ramping up, too. Across Europe, governments are offering incentives to encourage people to swap personal cars for eco-friendly public transit.
Intelligent Transportation Systems and Smart Mobility
Smart digital infrastructure, like intelligent transportation systems, helps cities find new rhythms as traffic flows more smoothly. Combining artificial intelligence tools, real-time tracking, and smart sensors allow transit agencies to fine-tune their services while nudging riders to make better travel choices.
For example, Singapore’s congestion pricing system adjusts tolls in real time, raising costs during peak hours to deter additional traffic on already crowded streets and encourage alternate routes.
Smoother Transit
Cubic Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) offers a robust technology portfolio to empower agencies in creating safer, more sustainable streets. With over 130 years combined industry experience, ITS is a long standing partner in using technology to increase efficiency and optimize traffic operations.
In Seoul, bus riders receive real-time updates on arrivals, while in Florida, signal integration technology prioritizes rapid transit buses, reducing travel times by 35%. AI-driven traffic systems in London and Barcelona dynamically adjust signals to prevent bottlenecks and optimize traffic flow.
Advancements in AI and 5G connectivity — like ultra-fast data transmission and capacity for large-scale Internet of Things integration — are inspiring some creative experimentation. In California, officials are testing cooperative adaptive cruise control and freight platooning — systems that allow vehicles to adjust speed and spacing in real time. To determine road maintenance priorities, Hawaiian officials use AI to analyze crowdsourced dashcam footage and identify infrastructure issues.
Autonomous and Connected Vehicles
To err is human, and behind the wheel, simple human error causes about 90% of road accidents. Turning control over to autonomous vehicles could make travel safer — if the policies and the public’s trust catch up.
In Singapore and the U.S., pilot programs for self driving shuttles and ride-sharing platforms address transit accessibility issues in rural areas and first-and last-mile gaps in public transit systems. In Europe, projects like the Union Internationale des Transports Publics’ SHOW H2020 explore the feasibility of connected, electrified fleets of autonomous vehicles in 20 cities. According to project coordinator John McSweeney, these trials “carrying real passengers, serving real mobility needs, in real-world environments has advanced not just the technology, but our wider understanding of use cases, business models, service design and wider impact.”
MaaS and Shared Mobility
Smartphones have revolutionized how we commute, making it easier than ever to access and pay for transportation. New Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) platforms allow users to plan, book, and pay for trips through a single app, even when they’re connecting buses, trains, and micro-mobility options. The goal is seamless experiences, regardless of operators within the network.
Countries like Finland, Japan, the Netherlands, Australia, and Belgium are piloting MaaS, but Beijing’s popular platform stands out. Launched in 2019, it integrates public transit, bike-sharing, and ride-hailing for 30 million users. The platform rewards eco-friendly travel with carbon credits redeemable for discounts to encourage cutting more than one million metric tons of CO2 emissions. As MaaS adoption grows, the platforms hint at a future where owning a personal vehicle is optional.
Transportation is the backbone of urban life, influencing our economies and daily routines. As cities grow, our tomorrow is shaped by the transportation choices we make today.
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