Skip to main content

Ito World manifesto calls on cities to embrace MaaS

Data and alternative transport can combat congestion, pollution and private car dependency in global cities, says Ito World. The UK transit data specialist has published a manifesto which calls on cities to embrace Mobility as a Service (MaaS) to ‘unlock’ their future potential. The MaaS Manifesto: smart data and accessing a city’s potential insists cities also need to have the right infrastructure and ensure the public and private sectors work with emerging players. Ito World says city authorities u
September 25, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
Data and alternative transport can combat congestion, pollution and private car dependency in global cities, says 5957 Ito World. The UK transit data specialist has published a %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external manifesto false https://www.itoworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Manifesto_Final-1.pdf false false%> which calls on cities to embrace Mobility as a Service (8356 MaaS) to ‘unlock’ their future potential.


The MaaS Manifesto: smart data and accessing a city’s potential insists cities also need to have the right infrastructure and ensure the public and private sectors work with emerging players.

Ito World says city authorities using real-time data to understand people patterns and schedule joined-up services to meet demand is one of five key steps for realising the full opportunity of MaaS.

Other recommendations include: using real-time shared transport occupancy data to optimise services; providing accessible passenger information to encourage travellers to move away from private car use; and making cities people-friendly through establishing green community spaces. In addition, Ito World suggests city authorities should create safe walking and cycling routes to interconnect seamless multi-modal transportation.

Belgian politician Pascal Smet, minister of the government of the Brussels-Capital region, says it is up to city governments to redefine the role of public transport and form partnerships with innovators.

“Public transport needs to remain the backbone of a city. In the future, shared private automated services will have to connect to that backbone within a framework set out by city governments,” Smet adds.

According to the manifesto, MaaS requires a collaboration between private transport companies, data experts and public authorities to be a success in cities.

Authorities and operators working with data experts which utilise open and proprietary data will be able to deliver a single integrated dataset which gives a ‘total-city picture’ of transit options, the document adds.

Johan Herrlin, CEO at Ito World, says transport service providers, mayors, transport commissioners and city authorities are responsible for sharing data and putting measures in place to guide the behaviour of individuals to drive wider societal goals.

“We need to better encourage people to ditch the car and see public transport, bicycles and their own two feet as reliable methods to get around,” Herrlin adds.

UTC

Related Content

  • May 9, 2019
    ITS America ‘disappointed’ at Toyota V2X decision
    Trade association ITS America has expressed disappointment that Toyota is pausing its Vehicle to Everything (V2X) deployment in the US. The Japanese car maker sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) saying that a lack of activity from other manufacturers on V2X – plus uncertainty over the regulatory position – had led to the decision. In a statement, ITS America said it was ‘disappointed’, adding: “We appreciate Toyota’s leadership and commitment to life-saving V2X technology.” Th
  • November 14, 2019
    Amey: sustainability ‘crucial’ for future of mobility
    No business conversation over the next 10 years can really be had without talking about sustainability, says infrastructure support company Amey. Speaking at the launch of the firm’s latest white paper at the London Transport Museum this week, managing director of Amey Investments Asif Ghafoor insisted that “it needs to be part of your core DNA in your business decisions and investment decisions”. He explained that the paper addresses issues such as having the right people to deliver infrastructure wh
  • January 31, 2018
    Polis: the role of cities and regions on road vehicle automation
    Local and regional authorities and public transport providers need to play a more prominent role in the development of policy around autonomous vehicles (AVs), according to a new paper from Brussels-based Polis. Called Road Vehicle Automation and Cities and Regions, the study aims to raise awareness of AV developments and their potential mobility impact among city and regional administrations and to assist them in setting transport policies. In addition, Polis intends to increase awareness of transport
  • October 15, 2019
    ITS Australia: National Awards 2019 nominees
    An autonomous Mobility as a Service pilot at a retirement village is among the nominees in ITS Australia’s National Awards 2019. Aurrigo is exploring how the technology will be used safely by elderly passengers in an environment where technical systems are not well understood. The Queensland Police Service’s forensic crash unit has also been nominated - for using drones to map crash scenes to help reduce road closure times and traffic congestion. In addition, Cooee Busways was chosen for using vehicl