Transformative technologies in transportation : Global report.

Abstract

Transformative technology is destined to play a critical role towards sustainable, smart, and equitable mobility, to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet� viii Technologies become transformative when they change the paradigm, allowing us to do new and different things that were not possible previously. Technology innovations have been a transformative force that reshape the transport sector over time. Historically, innovations have been concentrated in vehicle technologies and transportation infrastructure. In the past few decades, the transport sector has started to benefit from technological advances in information and communication technology, which helped transform how mobility services are provided. Doorto-door transport services spanning multiple modes could be available within minutes with a simple swipe of your fingertips on a smartphone screen, be it for a passenger or a parcel. The convergence of technological innovations in digital connectivity, data platforms, automation, and alternative energy is creating exciting changes to our transport system. From mobility to accessibility, sustainability to ecosystem stewardship, regional equity to social justice, economic development to efficient markets, the transport sector is called upon to play a growing and ever more critical role in the sustainable future that we aspire to. And yet, critical questions, such as what makes a technology innovation transformational, how to harness the most benefits and mitigate potential negative impacts, and what are the roles of the public and private sectors in technology adoption have not been sufficiently addressed, particularly in the context of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It is essential to understand how mobility can evolve through the influence of technology to meet changing economic requirements and social expectations. Likewise, social and economic forces that may be shaping future travels are increasingly relevant to the discussion of the associated infrastructure. Exciting technological innovations have emerged across the developing world. The stakes of taking the “right” actions are high. Transformative technologies can influence developing countries’ transport service delivery and unlock opportunities for development through enabling transport systems. They can also structure policy responses and interventions by governments and other stakeholders to realize positive dividends from innovation in the sector. This report examines the cutting-edge transformative technologies that enable higher mobility that can be attained at lower costs to the society, while creating new service delivery options. It also investigates their potential contributions to solving existing and future developmental challenges. The report focuses on major participants of the transportation system: infrastructure providers, passengers, freight, and policy makers. Collectively, these materials provide both a panorama of recent technology-driven innovations in the transport sector, and detailed takeaways to advance relevant policy dialogues, supported by examples of World Bank operational engagement in various areas, illustrating relevant investment and collaboration possibilities in LMICs. Although each community will need to find its own path towards technology adoption, this report helps to foster the dialogue within the context of LMICs.