Digital technology is breaking down barriers between different modes of transport and helping us reimagine the future of mobility. As the on-the-go young adult crowd cares about increasing their step count and moving closer to downtown for walkability, technology doesn’t only play a big role in offering commuting information but also in gamifying to amplify that experience.
AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality) may create an immersive scenery as you walk to your grocery store. You could increase your level in a game by taking more steps and completing certain milestones. Smart technology could show you specific walking routes with greenery to make the walk interesting, where you don’t have to fear crossing the road.
Microsoft’s DreamWalker, a VR system, guides a person through a virtual world to arrive at their real-world destination, using a tracking system and GPS (Global Positioning System) to prevent collisions with people and objects.
Walkscore, a metric that helps pedestrians find a place to live within walking distance of essential stores and services, is another example of how technology can promote walking as the primary form of transportation. In October 2023, Google Maps launched Project Green Light that uses AI (Artificial Intelligence) to help cities improve traffic flow at intersections and reduce stop-and-go emissions helping save fuel and lower emissions for up to 30 million car rides monthly.
Digital technology is breaking down barriers between different modes of transport and helping us reimagine the future of mobility
However, is technology the problem or the solution in our world? Interaction with our smartphones is becoming one of the major causes of road accidents; wouldn’t a VR headset be worse? As we focus on technology to solve transportation problems, we’re overlooking the root cause: infrastructure, and the way cities have been built primarily for cars. Using technology or encouraging public transportation may be the obvious solution, but we cannot benefit unless there is infrastructure accessible to all.
While European cities have walking-friendly policies, the same can remain a challenge for countries like India unless sound infrastructure plans and investments are made. Bad roads, inadequate sidewalks, potholes, lack of dedicated bicycle lanes, and grid-like layouts make it difficult to improve transportation and walkability. Meanwhile, the U.S. has grid-like layouts and bike lanes but remains stubbornly auto-oriented.
But we know that an infrastructure of walkable streets presents enormous benefits to accessibility, gender equity, and economic productivity. When sidewalks are not present or maintained, it can impose accessibility challenges to pedestrians such as sharing the road with vehicles, or difficulty in crossing the road for vision impaired individuals. Walkable streets also lead to gender equity because when streets are not walkable, female populations typically shrink in those areas. Pedestrian-friendly streets are also more economically productive because businesses usually thrive around areas where walking is safe and easy.
Is technology the problem or the solution in our world?
This means we need both technology and infrastructure to promote slow mobility. Helsinki, Finland’s capital, is planning a Mobility on Demand system to provide cheap and flexible transportation that is at par with car ownership. Using an app, users would type in their origin and destination, and receive customised transport plans including buses, ferries and driverless cars. Copenhagen, in Denmark, shows how cities can be designed and built for cycling. Stakeholders have invested in cycling infrastructure and facilities such as footrests at intersections, bicycle air pumps, and Intelligent Transport System technology that provides residents with real-time information about traffic.
As smart technology solutions and AR/VR continue to grow and improve, it concerns me that we’re encouraging people to depend on it instead of disconnecting and engaging with their surroundings. Additionally, those who lack access to technology will be excluded. Even though digital technology is helping us reimagine future mobility, we need to combine both technology and infrastructure wisely to promote sustainable and healthier transportation choices that are good for both people and the planet.
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