{"id":1481,"date":"2013-07-23T21:41:10","date_gmt":"2013-07-23T21:41:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.roadtrafficsigns.com\/blog\/?p=1481"},"modified":"2024-07-29T02:12:20","modified_gmt":"2024-07-29T06:12:20","slug":"5-developments-in-transportation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.roadtrafficsigns.com/blog\/5-developments-in-transportation\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 5 new developments in transportation"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s an exciting time for transportation – never before has getting from point A to point B been as fraught with questions about ease of use, customer experience, environmental implications and innovative progress as it is today. From dynamic parking pricing in San Francisco and taxi apps to world-changing bus rapid transport in Colombia, trends are emerging out of some expected, and other perhaps unlikely places. Check out our selection of the top five new developments in transportation, and keep your eyes peeled for changes coming soon to your city.<\/p>\n

1. Dynamic prices for parking<\/b><\/h2>\n

This idea<\/a> first picked up steam in 2011, when Los Angeles began testing it out with ExpressPark. The concept: Using sensors to determine parking demand at approximately 6,000 sidewalk meters and about 7,500 public parking spaces, the prices at the meters changed throughout the day in response to parking demand.<\/p>\n

SFPark in San Francisco is also embracing the idea, gathering realtime data on available spaces to help drivers find parking faster and more efficiently. The goal is to save drivers time while improving traffic congestion and increasing revenue.<\/p>\n

\"Cars<\/a>

[ed: As New Yorkers, we here at RoadTrafficSigns are hesitant to give San Francisco much credit for anything besides fresh seafood and cool weather. But we have to admit – their parking system makes us jealous. From Wouter Kiel<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/h2>\n

2. Pay-by-mobile public transit<\/b><\/h2>\n

Beijingers can now swipe their mobile phones to charge their subway and bus rides, after the city\u2019s public transit company signed a contract with China Mobile in July 2013. The service costs about $3 USD, and is also available at certain markets and restaurants.<\/p>\n

3. Taxi apps<\/b><\/h2>\n

Anyone who has been stuck on a Manhattan street corner in a downpour knows that, given the right circumstances, finding a taxi is a near impossible proposition. App-makers realized the conundrum and piloted apps in December, such as Uber<\/a> and Hailo<\/a>, that enable users to request cabs from their smartphones\u2014but a temporary restraining order prevented people from taking advantage of the technology.<\/p>\n

Today, though, there\u2019s good news for stranded city dwellers: the Supreme Court lifted<\/a> the restraining order in June. Though there\u2019s still a chance of a bumpy road ahead, for now users have the go-ahead. (Even NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg has backed the idea.)<\/p>\n

\"New<\/a>

Looking for a cab in New York? At long last, there’s an app for that. From nromagna<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n

4. Bus Rapid Transit<\/b><\/h2>\n

Masivo Integrado de Occidente<\/a>, or Western Mass Integrated, is a bus rapid transit system covering the city of Cali, Colombia. The widespread route encompasses nearly 100% of the city’s area, and services nearly 3\/4 of the city’s public transport needs as one of the most efficient BRT systems in existence.<\/p>\n

Following Cali\u2019s lead, the city of Haifa, Israel, plans to kick off Metronit, a BRT system that will initially be free for users and, for the first week, offered during nonpeak hours. Haifa is the first area in Israel to adopt BRT, and the government cites higher bus frequency, longer service hours, and an improved rider experience as key benefits. Back in the States, other recent adopters include Nashville, Tennessee and Alexandria, Virginia.<\/p>\n

\"BRT<\/a>

A rapid transit bus in Cali, Colombia. By Manuel Vieda<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n

5. Making electric vehicles work across borders<\/b><\/h2>\n

A joint effort<\/a> between the U.S. Department of Energy and the European Commission\u2019s Joint Research Centre will \u201cdevelop and harmonize interoperability between electric vehicles and the electric charging infrastructure.\u201d In laymen\u2019s terms, the collaboration will work towards establishing standards for electric vehicles and charging standards. (Perhaps not a edge-of-your-seat development in transportation, but certainly a necessary one; as anyone who has blown out an electronic product while traveling abroad knows, electric currents vary from place to place.)<\/p>\n

While the debate around EVs continues, on the this blog and elsewhere, most can agree that there\u2019s great benefit to preventing electrical blowouts on a scale larger than that of your American blowdryer!<\/p>\n

\n

Like this topic? Check out our related products:<\/h3>\n
 <\/div>\n