The 30th Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress and Exhibition featured a session titled “Accelerating Mobility Transition Towards Smarter and More Sustainable Cities.” Participants agreed that high-quality data is crucial for decision-making in this transition. The focus is not just on collecting data but on analysing it effectively to advance transportation systems towards smarter, sustainable urban environments.
Mohammed Al Mudharreb, CEO of Corporate Technology Support Services Sector at the Road and Transport Authority, opened the session with a keynote address. He stated, “The rapid urban growth cities are experiencing worldwide poses a challenge to urban planning, the integration of public transport networks, and their transformation towards smarter, more sustainable systems.” Al Mudharreb emphasised the efficiency of RTA’s Traffic Management System, which is supported by a skilled technical team using advanced technology.
Faysal Ali from Parsons Corporation highlighted the importance of sharing knowledge and experiences in public transport and intelligent systems. He said: “Entities involved in public transport and intelligent systems must capitalise on sharing knowledge and the global experiences of others. In this field, we are designing cities for people, not just for vehicles or mobility units. By fully applying the benefits of intelligent transportation systems, we can propel economic growth and promote wellbeing.”
Jon Newhard, CEO of Yunex Traffic in Munich, Germany, stressed the significance of clean transportation and reliable data in achieving net-zero emissions in modern cities. He noted that big data plays a critical role in enhancing user experience during this transition to smarter cities.
Ramin Massoumi from Arcadis praised RTA’s technological initiatives in smart applications and sustainable transport. He pointed out that smart technologies are vital for managing energy consumption efficiently. Massoumi emphasised that these energy sources should work alongside sustainable transportation to foster healthier cities with cleaner air.
Dr. Yandong Fan from Transurban in Melbourne discussed similar challenges faced by modern cities globally due to population growth. He mentioned ongoing collaborations with leading companies to develop smart city infrastructure focusing on sustainable transport networks like trams and electric vehicles.
Pioneering Projects in Smart Transportation
Addison Ferrell from Skyports shared insights into an innovative project involving air taxis in Dubai. This initiative is being implemented with Joby Aviation and aims to establish Dubai as a leader in smart and sustainable urban mobility.
The session underscored the need for collaboration among stakeholders to harness technology effectively for creating smarter cities. By leveraging data-driven strategies and innovative projects like air taxis, urban areas can become more efficient and environmentally friendly.