Mobility on demand: transforming transportation

In the 21^st century, mobility is less about moving vehicles and more about moving people, data and freight. Long-existing silos among cities, states, counties, and road and transit agencies are disappearing and private mobility service providers are offering dynamic services that did not exist a decade ago. Collaboration between the public and private sectors is playing a key role in the next generation of mobility.

More choices exist now, but for travellers to fully realise the benefits of this new world of mobility, it must be easier to choose whatever option best meets their needs – and options must be available for every traveller and in all communities and districts.

If public and private transport providers, as well as mobility operators, are to realise the benefits of this new world of mobility, it is critical to address the policy, business models and shared values that power MOD. This could be around funding and programmed benchmarks, integrated operations, data sharing, pricing models or accessibility.

MOD is a vision for an integrated network of safe, care-free and reliable transportation options that are available to all. Today, the way we travel in cities, suburbs and rural areas is changing rapidly due to wireless communications and other technological innovations. New mobility concepts and solutions, from ride-sourcing to bike-, scooter- and car-sharing systems, and demand-responsive bus services, are providing travellers with flexible and convenient transportation options.

Data dependency

In cities, MOD offers convenient, affordable and – in the case of bike-share, ride-share or micromobility services – more sustainable alternatives to driving in congested environments. For suburban areas, MOD offers first- and last-mile accessibility to transit, as well as more dynamic on-demand services to get around town. Deployed in rural areas, MOD can also provide first- and last-mile (though more like first- and last-50-mile) connections to transit, intercity bus and rail transport. Ride-share and ride-sourcing is providing support for older adults to access social and health services.

MOD treats transportation supply and demand as commodities, blending both public and private sector entities in a more singular, customer-driven mobility service. Focused on the traveller and personal choice, these services are focused on trip satisfaction or more efficient delivery, building on the backbone of public transport as well as fibre, data networks and intelligent infrastructure to achieve public mobility goals such as equity, accessibility and sustainability.

The framework for aggregating and managing supply and demand depends on connected data rather than any particular technology. It is by connecting data, whether individual trip information, vehicle locations, trip planning or booking information, that we can improve the customer experience or better support real-time mobility options. For instance, public and private partners are rapidly implementing tools that integrate trip planning and payments across transit, transportation network companies, car- and bike-sharing services, micromobility providers and even private vehicles. Others are building platforms and exchanging data that enable managing kerb-side passenger drop-off and fee structures, or distributing scooter or mobility solutions around the city for better customer access.

MOD solutions are advancing a more seamless, traveller-centric, intelligent mobility future across the U.S.:

Virginia

A county agency has partnered with an NGO and Uber to provide free treatment-related transportation to those trying to overcome opioid addiction, aiming to make it easier and more affordable for recovering participants to seek treatment.

Las Vegas

A transportation planning agency partnered with Lyft on a six-month paratransit pilot programme. Through this programme, paratransit riders can opt-in to receive Lyft rides instead of their standard paratransit service. Unlike the existing service, participants can book Lyft rides not only in advance but also on-demand. Over the six months, costs to operate the service were cut by 50 per cent and customer satisfaction increased.

Denver

The public transit agency in Denver has partnered with Uber to integrate public transit information and ticket payment options into the Uber app for a more seamless user mobility planning experience.

Considering policy

Developing the policy conditions for MOD to flourish will better enable consumers to identify and use the transportation options that best meet their mobility needs at any time. In addition, MOD promotes societal benefits such as a less congested, less costly, and more sustainable transportation system. New business models can be developed to enhance mobility and address unmet transportation needs by leveraging the insights gained from MOD data. This includes policy considerations that support an MOD programme that leverages public transportation investment and encourages flexibility with federal funding to meet changing mobility needs, including partnerships with companies offering shared-use trips, data management for mobility operations, and other technology companies for first- and last-mile services.

ITS America and the Mobility on Demand Alliance recently released a series of policy proposals for federal lawmakers to consider as they rewrite transportation law. Focused on helping to help shape the future of mobility, we are striving for a world that is safer, greener, smarter, and, with MOD, more seamless.

Biography

Shailen Bhatt is President and CEO of ITS America, promoting policies that advance the development and deployment of intelligent transportation technologies throughout the United States. He has testified before Congress about the positive safety impact of intelligent transportation technologies, including connected and automated vehicles. Bhatt was appointed as a transportation leader by three governors. While serving as Executive Director for the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), the agency launched the Road X programme which focuses on deploying technology solutions such as connected vehicles and teaming up with the private sector to shape the future of transportation. Prior to CDOT, Bhatt was Cabinet Secretary for the Delaware Department of Transportation.