Page 16 - Transportation Infrastructure 2019

Technological Innovations in

Transportation

Innovations in the transportation sector are starting to pick up. While in some

parts of the world, transportation infrastructure may be lagging behind, a
number of innovative cities are channeling their resources around innovations
in transportation.

• The electrification of transportation applies across various modes. We
already see electric vehicles in various countries such as China (Shenzhen
and Shanghai), Norway, France, and the United Sates. Electrification in
ships is also gaining momentum. Rolls-Royce – a British power system

company recently launched SAVe Energy, a battery system to electrify
ships. With increasing air traffic, aircraft companies are also investing in
the electrification of airplanes.

• Transportation is going driverless and autonomous. Cars, planes, and ships
are joining the artificial intelligence game. Companies are testing
autonomous cars. Autonomous cargo ships are following behind. Similarly,
tests flights are being conducted on autonomous passenger aircraft.

• Advanced road paving and maintenance technology are underway.
Automated asphalt paving is now being used in Europe, the US, and Asia.
Similarly, concrete pavement is being done with modern construction

vehicles.

• Solar and Glow in the Dark Roads harness the power of the sun to
illuminate roads and highways. The Netherlands is the first country to
apply this technology. In China, a 1,080-meter long highway in the province
of Jinan was embedded with solar panels. The technology meant to gather
solar energy to light the highways and 800 homes.

• Transportation integrates into one system. Singapore’s connected bus stop
system has already tapped into this potential. In the future, other different
transportation modes will become interconnected. Soon, you can hop into
an electric vehicle that will take you to the nearest train stop.