Skip to main content

Adding intelligence to transportation

Restarting city transportation systems following a natural disaster can take time. The impact of a storm cannot be predicted, but transportation systems and fleets of vehicles with embedded intelligence can provide the knowledge needed to get up and running faster. Machine to machine (M2M) technology can help collect and process information to better monitor and manage transportation systems on an ongoing basis. In the event of a disaster, technology could provide cities with critical data about bridges, r
November 6, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Restarting city transportation systems following a natural disaster can take time. The impact of a storm cannot be predicted, but transportation systems and fleets of vehicles with embedded intelligence can provide the knowledge needed to get up and running faster.

Machine to machine (M2M) technology can help collect and process information to better monitor and manage transportation systems on an ongoing basis. In the event of a disaster, technology could provide cities with critical data about bridges, roads, rail, and other public transit systems, alerting leaders where action needs to be taken.

According to a recent report, technology can go even further, providing passengers with information about delays. A recent report suggests the penetration of on-board computer units with GPS and wireless communication in buses and trams will increase. With a smartphone, travelers can receive instant information about the expected arrival time of the public-transit system.

The report, from 6817 Global Information, says the use of technology in buses and trams will increase from 40 per cent in 2011 to 56.1 per cent in 2016. Also, as a whole, ITS is expected to grow at an annual rate of 15%, reaching US$1.9 billion by 2016 in Europe alone.

ITS is also likely to see a some growth in the United States as well.  MAP-21 (Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century) provides funds for states to develop and implement an asset-management plan and grants to accelerate the use of ITS.

Aside from developments in the public sector, the private commercial vehicle telematics market is also set to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 9.09 per cent from 2011 to 2015, according to Global Information.

Related Content

  • August 6, 2012
    5.7 million fleet management systems in Europe by 2016
    According to a new research report from the analyst firm Berg Insight, the number of active fleet management systems deployed in commercial vehicle fleets in Europe was 2.5 million in Q4-2011. Growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.9 per cent, this number is expected to reach 5.7 million by 2016.
  • June 11, 2019
    Moscow summit urges transit change
    Moscow summit urges transit change
  • June 11, 2019
    Moscow summit urges transit change
    International ITS experts flocked to Russia for a new conference on the challenges of urban transit. Eugene Gerden reports from Moscow The Leaders in Urban Transportation Summit is a new international conference organised by the Moscow Department of Transport and Road Infrastructure Development. Dedicated to the latest developments in the field of ITS in the city of Moscow, it took place in the Moskva-Citi Business Center in April – and the intention is to make it an annual event. Senior transport o
  • April 24, 2017
    IoT fleet management market to grow by more than 20 per cent by 2021
    A new report by MarketsandMarkets estimates that the Internet of Things (IoT) fleet management market will grow fromUS$3.16 billion in 2016 to US$8.28 billion by 2021, at a CAGR of 21.26 per cent. According to the report, the key factors driving the growth of the IoT fleet management market are increased demand for optimised business operations, real-time fleet monitoring and a growing number of government mandates for fleet safety. Routing management accounted for the largest share of the IoT fleet managem