There are all sorts of ways that movies and TV shows have shown transportation in the future. These ways usually involve things being very convenient and quick, with no dirt or mess. We want transportation to be clean, accessible, and inclusive for everyone. I think the future of transportation will involve electric cars that drive themselves. This way, we can use different modes of transportation to get around our cities easily.
The wider implications of electric vehicles
This year, the number of electric vehicles sold is expected to be more than 10.5 million. This is a growth of nearly 4 million from 2021. This growth is going to cause big changes in our cities. These changes can make our lives better if they are planned well and done right.
One example is the many gas stations in the United States. These stations often have prime corner real estate. An organization called Architecture x Mobility is exploring how to turn these stations into places where people can eat, shop, or even work. This would decentralize the amenities and functions that urban residents need.
These new community centers can bring people together in places that were originally only meant for people to pass through. This would help create a network of neighborhoods where residents can access everything they need by walking, biking, or using other micromobility services. It also would support cities’ sustainability goals by repurposing existing structures instead of building new ones.
Electric cars are becoming more like other consumer electronics. This means that they have more possibilities. For example, imagine an electric car that collects solar energy to use later or sells it to other places it goes. It can also gather data about its surroundings to help with navigation and other technologies.
Electric vehicles (EVs) could give consumers more control over their energy purchases. This would allow them to buy power from sources that reflect their personal preferences and values. Overall, EVs empower users to live more connected and sustainable lives.
The autonomous revolution
Even though autonomous vehicles are not as common as electric vehicles yet, automation is making transportation safer and easier than ever before. This includes features like automatic emergency braking, driver-assist technology, adaptive cruise control, and self-parking systems.
As autonomous cars and trucks enter the market, they will change how we commute, transport goods, and design our cities. The need for parking garages will decrease, opening up valuable real estate to new uses. We can bring forward the positive changes we saw in our cities during the pandemic: outdoor dining spilling out onto sidewalks and curbside parking, expanded lanes for bicyclists, and streets entirely closed to cars where people can stroll, exercise, and generally enjoy the outdoors.
As autonomous long-haul freighters transport goods in dedicated lanes, highway congestion will ease. Several companies are preparing to roll out autonomous trucks as early as next year, with the cost of new technology offset by the elimination of labor costs and the ability to run the vehicles nearly 24 hours a day.
If large trucks moved during off-peak hours, it would improve the human experience. Rush hour would be less clogged and the urban infrastructure would be better suited to people. There will be challenges in making this change, but it will bring greater opportunity.
Multimodal transportation is the way of the future
Mobility in the future needs to be able to use multiple methods of transportation. This will include public transportation, which has taken a hit lately because of the pandemic. However, public transportation will continue to be an important part of urban mobility. In addition, AVs (autonomous vehicles) will provide point-to-point service that helps people get from their homes to the nearest transit stop.
The city needs to invest in making the experience of using public transportation better. This means taking cues from aviation design to make subways, buses, and other public systems safe, secure, and healthy. If a subway station were more like an airport – with abundant daylight, desirable amenities like retail and dining, and seamlessly integrated security measures – passengers might be more willing to take the train and even spend time at the station, generating needed revenue for the system.
Public transportation systems can help people get around cities quickly. They can connect 20-minute cities to each other. People can use things like AVs, ride-sharing programs, and micromobility services like e-bikes and e-scooters to move around the city more easily. These different types of transportation work together to make it easier for people to experience their city and also be healthy.