Engineering news
Transport Systems Catapult has highlighted the need for a shared vision across the UK transport sector in a new technology strategy for intelligent mobility.
The group is warning that the UK could fail to capture a big enough share of a potential £900 billion global intelligent mobility market if its response to radical developments in the transport sector is slow and uncoordinated.
According to the Transport Systems Catapult (TSC), the shift from traditional transport models to intelligent mobility is being driven by the 'digital revolution'. It is expected that market spend will move away from traditional transport to service models akin to mobile phone contracts.
In its new Technology Strategy, the TSC has suggested eight intelligent mobility goals to provide focal points for innovation and investment. These include making travel an 'end-to-end user-centric experience', with more personalised and tailored transport services and increasingly connected and automated transport. Other areas of focus include making our transport systems more resilient by utilising data-driven insights and connected and cooperative systems, as well as making it more sustainable and reducing its environmental impact by collaboration and increased measurement and awareness of eco footprint.
In addition, the report lists market sectors where the UK is best able to compete globally, including autonomous vehicles, intermodal smart ticketing and data management and analysis.
The TSC has said it will also work with partners in the intelligent mobility community to develop a series of assets, collectively labelled the “IM Integrated Test Environment”, which address areas where the UK needs to develop capability. The TSC is hoping that this will facilitate a more coordinated industry approach towards competing in the changing global transport industry.
To aid this the group has created an online repository of data, information and research to support its intelligent mobility strategy (TSCtechstrategy.co.uk) and is inviting industry, academia and government to collaborate on its development.
Chief executive officer, Steve Yianni, said: “The UK is well placed to take advantage of recent advancements in technology and service models. With a shared vision, we can positively impact the UK economy by driving transport innovation and boosting business competitiveness in this shifting transport industry landscape. We need to embrace change, collaborate and focus our investment towards areas where the UK has the best chance of capturing a significant share of the global market.
“The Technology Strategy for Intelligent Mobility is the first step towards achieving this. We are now calling on businesses, academia and government to contribute towards developing a collaborative roadmap which can draw the industry together under a common approach.”
Chief technical officer, Paul Zanelli, said: “To create a people-centred, smart, sustainable and safe travel system from these developments, the UK transport industry needs to prepare for the opportunities ahead and aspire to be at the forefront of innovation. The Technology Strategy for Intelligent Mobility will help create an environment that will make the UK a world leader in transport systems innovation.”