Many trends are coming together in the US. This opens a unique chance to rethink how to make transportation more accessible, usable, and good for the environment in the long run. This article talks about how the Internet of Things (IoT)-based transportation, transit, and public safety technology solutions can change cities by making them safer, saving money and time, and reducing harmful pollutants.
1. Smart Intersection Connectivity Should Be a Top Priority
The next round of infrastructure investments in the U.S. should focus on making the country’s intersections more modern. We can do this by connecting them with fiber optic or cellular networks. Connectivity (like “smart” intersections) makes software- and cloud-based solutions possible. And these are often cheaper to install and keep up than hardware solutions that are made for a specific job. This could also make traffic management safer, more efficient, sustainable, and more flexible. Lastly, smart intersections are a great place to offer things “as a service,” often paid for by making operations run smoother.
By putting connectivity features in key intersections and vehicles, U.S. roads and traffic patterns can take advantage of technology. These tools help save people’s lives. And this would reduce the current risk of intersections as scenes of 40% of all crashes and more than 20% of traffic deaths.
2. Move Vision Zero Forward across the Country
President Biden approved the “Safe Streets for All” plan to pay for Vision Zero plans in states and cities. Every year, about 40,000 people die in car accidents in the US. This is way too many. These tragic deaths have a massive effect on families and communities. They also cost society because taxpayers must pay for emergency services and health care.
Since traffic deaths are a widespread and systemic problem, the Vision Zero approach of shifting the responsibility for road safety from each user to a model in which traffic system designers and road users share the commitment is a great start.
3. Make Public Transportation More Accessible and Fair
Cities and towns need to increase the number of people who use public transit by 50%. And we also need to make it easier for low-income communities to get around. This will increase the benefits of public transit, such as less traffic. There would also be less pollution of the air and climate and more social and economic opportunities.
Increasing the number of transit options can have a significant effect on communities. Many low-income and minority communities depend on public transportation. Access to reliable and safe transportation is vital for getting to work, school, and health care. A study said that commute time is the most significant factor affecting a person’s chance of escaping poverty.
4. Cut Down on Harmful Emissions to Protect Public Health
Any country’s contribution to the Paris Agreement is only as good as its domestic policy. In the same way, any country’s domestic policy is only as good as the technology used to reduce carbon emissions. Because of this, reducing pollution from city traffic is vital to any plan to stop climate change.
In this part comes integrated signal priority systems. They help reach goals for reducing traffic emissions by reducing the amount of time public transit vehicles are idling. They encourage more people to use public transit by making the system more reliable and efficient. And they improve the efficiency of each vehicle by reducing the amount of start-and-stop driving. Lastly, this can significantly help electric cars get to places faster and reduce the chance of their batteries running out.
5. Use Software to Scale Up Infrastructure
Transportation infrastructure is not a fixed asset that needs a significant investment all at once. They are systems that change over time and need regular investments. To do this, agencies should access 50% more money to use subscription models to pay for new transportation services.
Financing physical infrastructure with old, capital-intensive models that worked in the 20th century will only help today. Cities should make it possible for more flexible ways to pay for new technologies based on the Internet of Things (IoT) and innovative ideas. These technologies should be seen as infrastructure upgrades, not only as services.
Wrapping It All Up
The U.S. should try to make public transportation more fair, accessible, and used because it meets real needs. MOD and MaaS tools already connect riders, services, and transportation agencies in a positive circle. This makes transportation sustainable. Because of this, they will open up new opportunities for consumers and businesses.
Investing in smart intersections, subscription-based infrastructure projects, and new vehicle connectivity can improve American communities and roadways. Such developments would make everyone safer and more equitable, offering more accessible public transit options and improving public health. Political leaders, transportation regulators, transit authorities, and other interested parties should take prompt action to invest in these critical aspects of transportation.