Since the beginning of human history, people have been looking for methods to make travel easier and more efficient. After developing the wheel, we moved on to creating carts and wagons, steam power, and finally, the internal combustion engine. The invention continued with autonomous vehicles, electric bikes, and wind powered vehicles that drove themselves. Ideas that were previously thought to exist only in the domain of science fiction are now being brought into the real world. Continue reading to learn about the amazing developments on the horizon for the future of transportation.
Why transportation has to undergo transformation
It’s easy to overlook how Henry Ford’s ‘vehicle for the vast multitude’ altered the lives of regular people because of the internet’s speed and immediacy. The availability of low-cost, easily accessible transportation for the people fundamentally altered our society, making it possible for us to actually broaden our horizons and the career opportunities available to us.
But as a result of this widespread acceptance, we now have pollution and traffic congestion in our cities, both of which are unsustainable for the sake of our planet and the health and pleasure of its inhabitants.
The transportation of both people and products is the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions. Similarly, transportation uses 70% of all domestic oil use in the United States, making it the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases.
So, in the not too distant future, would we be able to witness automobiles that fly through the air as in the movie Bladerunner? Probably not quite yet, even though picturing futuristic means of transportation will likely continue to captivate our minds.
Three ideas shaping the future of mobility
The future of transportation depends on developing new, more efficient energy sources, modes of transportation, and the requisite physical and technical infrastructure.
Innovation in transportation has three common threads- Electrification, smart technology, and self-reliance.
Since these technologies have grown rapidly in recent years. We may expect that they will all play an important role in our transportation future.
New methods of transportation
Here is a taste of what’s to come in the transportation industry.
Autonomous aerial vehicles (AAVs)
Is public transit going to the sky in autonomous aerial vehicles (AAV)? In the not too distant future, this may become a reality. Autonomous aerial vehicles (AAVs) have already had successful demonstration flights. AAVs are distinct from drones, despite their unmanned nature. Drone-like vehicles that are meant to carry people are known as autonomous aerial vehicles (AAVs).
VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) is the most common take-off and landing mode for these aircraft. Commuters will be transported in AAVs, which will divert them off clogged roads and deliver them directly to their destinations, resulting in significant time savings.
Hoverbikes
The VTOL platform used in this design is similar to an AAV. On the other hand, the hoverbike is piloted by a human operator. The design is based on a quadcopter with four rotors and can carry one person. For short-distance trips. The goal is to offer an alternative mode of transportation.
Self-driving taxis
Self-driving vehicles will be commonplace in the near future, although they are yet confined to testing facilities and experimental programs. In busy areas such as Las Vegas, where Lyft provides autonomous rides for a fee, their fleet of 30 ‘Aptiv’ cars is now on the road. In addition to their electric and self-driving capabilities, these cars symbolize a Smart Mobility mindset. This next generation of future taxis uses ICT to connect with other vehicles, smart infrastructure, and the Internet of Things (IoT) while also communicating with passengers. And collecting vast quantities of data as they travel through Smart Cities.
The Hyperloop
Elon Musk came up with the concept of the Hyperloop in 2012. Long-distance commuting will soon be possible due to this new method of transportation.
The Hyperloop works on the premise that humans can travel vast distances in pods or capsules at high speeds. Magnetic levitation (MagLev) technology is used to propel the pods housed in low-pressure environments devoid of air. Since the friction between the pods and the ground is minimal due to the combination of MagLev and low pressure, the pods may reach speeds of 600 mph.
Maglev trains, hybrid vehicles, cable cars, electric bikes, skateboards, and even Falcon 9 Rockets are just a few examples of various modes of transportation that might one day be used to send people across the world in a short period of time, as well. Several of these are already in widespread use and development.
Motivating factors, such as the expense of transportation and the desire for change
The world’s human population is expanding exponentially, with many more people choosing to live in cities. Modern transportation demands cannot be met by roads built decades or even decades ago. As a consequence, our roads are becoming congested.
The global economy loses billions of dollars every year due to traffic inefficiencies. Transport via road, train, air, and sea does not always function as a cohesive network, which adds to the costs and delays.
Environmental Protection Agency data shows that in 2017. Transportation generated a whopping 28.9 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Besides contributing to climate change, greenhouse gases endanger human health and safety. In addition to other factors, ambient air pollution from automobiles is blamed by the WHO for millions of early deaths and diseases worldwide.
Get ready for a revolution in mobility.
People are turning to alternative modes of transportation due to the high expense of owning a car and the availability of new services. In recent years, ridesharing services like Lyft, Uber, Car2Go, Zipcar, and others have proliferated like weeds in the urban landscapes we inhabit. Around 27% of people in the age bracket of 18 to 34 in Canada have begun using mobility services like these.
In order to prepare for the next industry transformation. Several automakers are adding electric vehicles to their lines and funding mobility-related R&D.
It is official: The future of transportation has here.
Big data, IoT, and zero-emission technologies promise greener and more efficient modes of travel. Even though cars will continue to be on the road. The energy they use and the methods used to purchase, lease, rent, or operate will undoubtedly change. The following examples are only a few new technologies that might transform human mobility in the years to come.
