Skip to main content

Bill Ford discusses future mobility at World Congress

Bill Ford’s thoughts on the future of mobility may be a surprise to many as he told delegates about his concerns over what he termed ‘Global Gridlock’. “You can’t just keep on sending more vehicles into the urban environment, it isn’t going to work.”
September 8, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
Bill Ford Executive Chairman of Ford

Bill Ford’s thoughts on the future of mobility may be a surprise to many as he told delegates about his concerns over what he termed ‘Global Gridlock’. “You can’t just keep on sending more vehicles into the urban environment, it isn’t going to work.”

278 Ford’s executive chairman said the current model of urban mobility was under threat and believes it is imperative that in future all transportation modes are interconnected as that is the only way to cope with a growing population in an increasingly urbanised world. However, he said: “Cities are struggling with transportation today and will do so even more in the future and often the money isn’t there to fix the infrastructure – even if they knew how to fix it.

“We need to redefine mobility for the coming century… but there is no one single silver bullet,” he said, adding that many of the individual ‘building blocks’ have been developed but they must be seamlessly integrated. 

When it comes to connected vehicle technology he highlighted major challenges that remain with privacy and bringing the often less tech-savvy older generation on board, saying: “We can’t afford to leave anybody behind.”  

Booth: 425
%$Linker: 2 Asset <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 4 36970 0 oLinkAsset <span class="mouselink">www.ford.com </span> Ford Website true /EasySiteWeb/GatewayLink.aspx?alId=36970 false false%>

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Next generation of SafeEnd energy absorbing barrier terminals
    March 3, 2014
    Norwegian company SafeRoad will use Intertraffic Amsterdam 2014 to present SafeEnd, a new generation of energy absorbing end terminals, developed and tested according to the ENV 1317-4 and prEN 1317-7 standards. Features of the product are fast and easy installation, narrow width to allow usage at places with limited space, and low weight. The terminal can be used in combination with any existing safety barrier system, on central reservations as well as along the roadside.
  • In-car video integrated with Google Glass
    February 28, 2014
    CopTrax In-car video is a software solution integrated with Google Glass and Stalker Radar. With no bulky DVR, the CopTrax software solution uses the patrol vehicle’s laptop to record and stream video through 3G/4G or WiFi for cloud storage or department’s servers. A command and control centre, accessible from any internet connected computer, displays device locations, search, and playback with GPS tracking data.
  • Intelligent parking barrier
    February 28, 2014
    The Barrier.Gate, an intelligent barrier system from Skidata, is an inexpensive solution for long-term parking facilities because it combines column and barrier in one product. Less consumption of energy and space are among its sustainable benefits. The barrier communicates via light signals of the integrated track light, while the built-in camera helps to prevent vandalism and unauthorised entry through a closing barrier.
  • ID badge incorporates video and audio recording
    February 28, 2014
    VideoBadge2 is the new professional body-worn system that captures high quality video and audio recordings, with built-in encryption for data security and evidence integrity. It boasts full shift recording capability in both daylight and low-light conditions as well as features such as a 150° wide angle lens, prerecord function, and forward facing activation switch to ensure total incident capture.