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.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • US DOT announces funding opportunity to improve bus service nationwide
    March 31, 2016
    The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced the opportunity to apply for approximately US$266 million in competitive grant funding for bus programs nationwide. The funding consists of US$211 million in grants for buses and bus facilities projects, as well as US$55 million specifically for FTA’s Low and No Emission (Low-No) bus program, which promotes technologically-advanced and environmentally-friendly buses. These investments will help advance the President’
  • Rapid growth makes Texas an incubator for tolling innovation
    September 8, 2014
    As the IBTTA’s annual meeting and exhibition heads for Austin, Mitchell Beer, president of Smarter Shift, considers the role of Texas in the development of tolling strategies and technology. The State of Texas has always prided itself on being ‘larger than life’. From the sprawling geography of the state itself with its wide open skies, to its entrepreneurial ‘get-it-done’ attitude, Texas exudes an impatient restlessness that pushes businesses and public agencies to deliver faster, better results. More ofte
  • Berg Insight: 3G/4G technologies will dominate cellular M2M communications
    August 26, 2014
    According to a new research report from analyst firm Berg Insight, the global cellular machine to machine (M2M) market has entered a period of transition from 2G to 3G/4G technologies. The share of cellular M2M devices connected to HSPA/LTE networks is projected to more than double from less than 20 percent at the end of 2014 to more than 50 per cent by 2018. When it comes to device shipments, 3G/4G is expected to overtake 2G already in 2017. HSPA will be the largest technology in an intermittent period unt
  • Colorado DoT locates data-rich environment
    January 14, 2020
    Colorado DoT and Esri have been cooperating to unlock data’s potential. Jason Barnes finds out what that has to do with firing a howitzer at snowy mountains – and exactly why things that happened in the past point the way towards future proofing