Transatlantic boost for C-ITS

ITS (UK) members debated the proposition that “MaaS will reduce private vehicle ownership long before automated vehicles (AVs) will have any impact on it” at their 2018 annual general meeting. There was scepticism about scenarios predicting that AVs as providers of on-demand transport will be the norm by around 2030. Doubts centred on two factors: owning and driving a personally-owned vehicle being too precious for most people to cede; and the reality of urban streets proving too difficult for AVs as curren
August 21, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
© Karl Francis Dale Tapales | Dreamstime.com
ITS (UK) members debated the proposition that “8356 MaaS will reduce private vehicle ownership long before automated vehicles (AVs) will have any impact on it” at their 2018 annual general meeting. There was scepticism about scenarios predicting that AVs as providers of on-demand transport will be the norm by around 2030. Doubts centred on two factors: owning and driving a personally-owned vehicle being too precious for most people to cede; and the reality of urban streets proving too difficult for AVs as currently designed.  


On Mobility as a Service (MaaS), members challenged a proposed ‘Netflix of transport’ subscription model as being incapable of realisation by appearing to assume usage by professional, well-off users. It would also reduce municipalities’ ability to control travel to improve accessibility, reduce congestion and pollution, and improve safety.

MaaS in itself, with the ability to plan and pay for travel via one app, would, however, be “a thoroughly good thing” – but only if municipalities retain ultimate control.  

Points strongly in favour of MaaS included safety for young people and the need of a ‘lifeline’ for older ones. If the former have a transport offer which is reliable and available, particularly late at night, this could stop them from using old, unsafe, privately-owned vehicles, with their drivers perhaps under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. For the latter, it needs to be a public-sector undertaking, including subsidised services.

Related Content

  • How technology is propelling the development of urban shared transport
    April 11, 2024
    Over 18 million people use ride-hailing apps in the UK alone, says Mariusz Zabrocki of Freenow
    Read More
  • Vision technology: the future in focus
    November 23, 2018
    Just a few years ago, terms such as ‘embedded’ and ‘polarisation’ were buzzwords. But now they are real and present examples of vision technology in action – and, Adam Hill finds, the ITS industry is waking up to a number of possible applications Every aspect of the intelligent transportation systems industry moves quickly – but developments in camera technology change with a rapidity which can appear quite bewildering. And with ITS providers constantly searching for an edge against fierce competitio
    Read More
  • Substantial savings from smarter street lighting
    February 25, 2015
    As authorities strive to reduce expenditure and carbon emissions, Colin Sowman looks at some of the smart ways of managing street lighting while containing costs and maintaining safety. Street lighting can account for 40% of an authority’s energy consumption. So, faced with the need to reduce outgoings, some authorities are looking for smart ways of managing street lighting or even turning off swathes of street lights in the small hours. Back in 2008 the E-street Initiative report concluded that authorities
    Read More
  • Florida’s Altamonte Springs uses Uber pilot program with Uber to expand transportation coverage
    April 5, 2017
    To Uber or Not to Uber, that is the question cities must answer as they consider the pros and cons of inviting private transportation service providers to fill transportation gaps. Back in 1999, Frank Martz, city manager of Altamonte Springs, Florida, had an idea to expand transportation services to areas not covered by the local bus company.
    Read More

Highlighted Content