As cities continue to grow and evolve, so too must their transportation systems. With the advent of new technologies and the increasing need for sustainable transportation options, smart cities are leading the charge in developing new and innovative ways to get around. Flying taxi here are some of the types of urban transportation that we can expect to see in the smart cities of the future.
How did elevated trains and subways improve urban transportation?
Here are some interesting stats and facts about how elevated trains and subways have improved urban transportation:
Increased Capacity: Elevated trains and subways have the ability to transport a large number of people in a short amount of time.
For example, New York City’s subway system carries over 5 million riders each weekday, making it the busiest rapid transit system in the United States and one of the busiest in the world.
Speed and Efficiency: Compared to other forms of transportation, elevated trains and subways are faster and more efficient. For example, in Mexico City, the Metro system can travel up to 45 km/h (28 mph) and has a maximum capacity of 4,000 people per train. This means that a single train can transport more people than 60 buses.
Reduced Congestion: Elevated trains and subways help to reduce traffic congestion on city streets. For example, in 2019, the London Underground transported over 1.3 billion passengers, reducing congestion on the city’s roads and preventing an estimated 125 million car trips.
Increased Accessibility: Elevated trains and subways provide access to areas of the city that may be difficult to reach by other modes of transportation. For example, the Skytrain system in Bangkok, Thailand, provides access to the city’s airports, which are located on the outskirts of the city and may be difficult to reach by car.
Economic Benefits: The construction and operation of elevated trains and subways can create jobs and stimulate economic growth in the areas they serve. For example, the construction of the Dubai Metro system created over 30,000 jobs, and the system itself has contributed to the development of new businesses and residential areas along its route.
Environmental Benefits: Elevated trains and subways also have environmental benefits. For example, the Tokyo Metro system, which carries over 8 million passengers each day, helps to reduce carbon emissions by providing an alternative to cars.
Safety: Elevated trains and subways are generally considered to be safer than other forms of transportation. For example, the New York City subway has a crime rate that is significantly lower than the city’s overall crime rate.
Overall, elevated trains and subways have had a significant impact on urban transportation, providing faster, more efficient, and safer transportation options for commuters.
Electric Buses: With a growing focus on reducing emissions, electric buses are becoming an increasingly popular option for public transportation. These buses are powered by electricity, meaning they produce zero emissions, and they can be recharged quickly and easily at charging stations throughout the city. Electric buses are already in use in many cities around the world, including London, Paris, and New York.
The global electric bus market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 16.6% from 2020 to 2027, reaching a market size of $84.3 billion by 2027.
In 2019, there were over 400,000 electric buses on the roads globally, with China accounting for more than 99% of them.
Electric buses can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 75% compared to traditional diesel buses.
Autonomous Vehicles: Self-driving cars are no longer just a futuristic concept – they are becoming a reality. Autonomous vehicles use advanced sensors and computer systems to navigate the roads, and they have the potential to greatly reduce traffic congestion and improve safety on the roads. Companies like Waymo and Tesla are already testing their autonomous vehicles on public roads, and many cities are exploring how they can integrate these vehicles into their transportation systems.
The global autonomous vehicle market size is expected to reach $556.67 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 39.47% from 2019 to 2026.
Waymo’s autonomous vehicles have driven over 20 million miles on public roads since 2009.
Autonomous vehicles have the potential to reduce traffic fatalities by up to 90%, as most accidents are caused by human error.
Micro-Mobility Options: In addition to traditional forms of public transportation, smart cities are also exploring new micro-mobility options. These include electric scooters, skateboards, and other small, lightweight vehicles that can be easily rented and used for short trips around the city. Companies like Lime and Bird have already launched their electric scooter-sharing services in several cities, and these services are likely to become even more prevalent in the future.
The global micro-mobility market size is expected to reach $250 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 17.6% from 2020 to 2030.
Lime, one of the largest electric scooter-sharing companies, had over 130,000 scooters in more than 100 cities globally as of 2019.
The average distance traveled on a shared electric scooter is around 1.5 miles.
Personal Rapid Transit: Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) systems are designed to provide fast, efficient, and personalized transportation within a city. PRT systems use small, automated vehicles that run on dedicated tracks, providing passengers with direct, non-stop service to their destinations. The PRT system being developed in Milton Keynes, UK, is one example of this technology in action.
The PRT system being developed in Milton Keynes, UK, will cover a network of 1.9 miles and will feature 100 automated vehicles.
PRT systems have the potential to reduce travel times by up to 30% compared to traditional public transportation.
The global PRT market size is expected to reach $4.4 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 17.5% from 2020 to 2027.
Electric Bikes: Electric bikes are another popular option for sustainable transportation. These bikes use electric motors to assist with pedaling, making them a faster and more efficient way to get around the city. Electric bike-sharing services are already in use in many cities around the world, and they are likely to become even more prevalent in the future.
The global electric bike market size is expected to reach $23.83 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2019 to 2025.
In 2019, there were over 200 million electric bikes on the roads globally, with China accounting for more than 98% of them.
Electric bikes can travel up to 20 miles per hour and have a range of up to 50 miles on a single charge.
Flying Taxis: While still in the early stages of development, flying taxis have the potential to revolutionize transportation in smart cities. These vehicles, which are essentially small, electric-powered aircraft, can take off and land vertically, making them ideal for use in dense urban environments. Companies like Uber and Lilium are already developing prototypes of their flying taxis, and it’s possible that these vehicles could become a common sight in the cities of the future.
The global flying taxi market size is expected to reach $1.5 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 18.9% from 2020 to 2025.
Uber plans to launch its flying taxi service, Uber Air, in 2023 in Los Angeles, Dallas, and Melbourne.
Lilium’s flying taxi has a range of up to 186 miles and can reach a top speed of 186 miles per hour.
In conclusion,
the transportation options available in the smart cities of the future are likely to be diverse, innovative, and sustainable. From electric buses and autonomous vehicles to micro-mobility options and flying taxis, there are many exciting developments on the horizon. As these technologies continue to evolve and become more widespread, we can look forward to a cleaner, more efficient, and more enjoyable transportation experience in our cities.