Impacts of Emerging Transportation Technologies on Urban Mobility and Public Transportation Systems

Today, new transportation technologies are emerging as a result of higher education levels and more talented people. The rapid development of contemporary technology has led to significant advancements in various aspects of the whole society, while the two main considerable ones are about the urban mobility and the public transportation systems. Innovations such as Low Traffic Neighborhoods (LTNs), the Internet of Vehicles (IoV), and Autonomous Cars (AC) are at the forefront of this transformation. These technologies promise to enhance urban sustainability by reducing traffic congestion, creating smart transformation, improving safety, and minimizing environmental impacts. LTNs, for instance, aim to create safer and more livable urban environments by restricting through-traffic and encouraging alternative modes of transportation such as walking, cycling, and public transit. This could effectively reduce the emission of toxic or greenhouse gasses and lower the amount of private traffic flow on roads. The IoV connects vehicles, infrastructure, and users, optimizing traffic flow and enabling new services like Usage-Based Insurance (UBI), which is a kind of car insurance that promotes responsible driving behavior since its premium is installed depending on this. Meanwhile, Autonomous Cars represent a paradigm shift in personal and public transportation, offering the potential to drastically reduce accidents and improve mobility for all, including those with disabilities. In addition, autonomous vehicles are also a famous and recognized symbol of the new era of smart cities. However, these innovations also present challenges, including public acceptance, regulatory hurdles, and potential disruptions to existing transportation systems. How can these difficulties be breached at a time when the will of the public and the true utility and sophistication of the technologies become more highly valued? This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of these emerging technologies, discussing their potential benefits, challenges, and the broader implications for the future of urban environments.