02-05-2020, 08:32 PM
Smart mobility: 6 solutions helping reduce traffic congestion
<div><p>Traffic congestion is a problem in cities all over the world. The U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs states that 68 percent of the world’s population will live in cities over the coming decades up from 55 percent today.<sup>1</sup> As cities grow, congestion will get worse.</p>
<p>In Moscow, Russia, the average driver spends 210 hours a year waiting in traffic, while in Mexico City, Mexico, the average driver spends 218 a year in traffic. In Chicago, Illinois, the average driver is relatively lucky as they only spend 138 hours a year in traffic.<sup>2</sup></p>
<p><img class="attachment-large size-large webp-format" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion.webp" alt="person sitting at a bus stop, looking at a smartphone" width="1024" height="683" data-orig-srcset="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion.jpg 1024w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...tion-4.jpg 300w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...tion-5.jpg 768w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...tion-6.jpg 330w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...tion-7.jpg 800w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...tion-8.jpg 400w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...tion-9.jpg 1500w" data-orig-src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion.jpg"><img class="attachment-large size-large webp-format lazyload" alt="person sitting at a bus stop, looking at a smartphone" width="1024" height="683" data-orig-srcset="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion.jpg 1024w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...tion-4.jpg 300w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...tion-5.jpg 768w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...tion-6.jpg 330w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...tion-7.jpg 800w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...tion-8.jpg 400w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...tion-9.jpg 1500w" data-orig-src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion.jpg" data-sizes data-src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion.webp" data-srcset></p>
<p>One solution to traffic congestion is smart mobility. Smart mobility is the concept of connecting the elements of a city’s transportation system to the cloud. Data from each element—vehicles, traffic signals, people, roads, and <a href="https://azure.microsoft.com/services/azure-maps/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">maps</a>—is collected, combined, and analyzed to optimize the flow of vehicles in the city.</p>
<p>If we drill down on how cities are using smart mobility to reduce traffic congestion today, we see best practices emerge. Let’s look at six key items that cities should embrace to enable smart mobility solutions.</p>
<p>To learn how Microsoft can help you get started with smart mobility, <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/industry/automotive/smart-mobility-services?activetab=pillars:primaryr6" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">explore these resources</a>.</p>
<h2>Connected infrastructure</h2>
<p>One criterion required to enable smart mobility to reduce traffic congestion is connected infrastructure. The different parts of a city’s transportation system need to be connected to the cloud: traffic lights, cars, buses, trains, bikes, people, maps, and even roads. This Internet of Things (IoT) approach allows location, speed, capacity, and other data to be collected, stored, and analyzed. Wilson Parking recently <a href="https://news.microsoft.com/apac/features/traffic-and-azure-drive-across-the-worlds-longest-sea-bridge-and-park-with-help-from-the-cloud/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">invested in connected infrastructure</a> to decrease congestion for drivers using the new Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. The city of Taipai has <a href="https://customers.microsoft.com/story/724998-city-of-taipei-azure-aaeon-taiwan" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">launched an initiative</a> to connect 150,000 streetlights.</p>
<h2><img class="attachment-large size-large webp-format" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-1.webp" alt="Singapore aerial view" width="1024" height="575" data-orig-srcset="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-1.jpg 1024w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-10.jpg 300w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-11.jpg 768w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-12.jpg 1536w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-13.jpg 2048w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-14.jpg 330w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-15.jpg 800w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-16.jpg 400w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-17.jpg 235w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-18.jpg 960w" data-orig-src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-1.jpg"><img class="attachment-large size-large webp-format lazyload" alt="Singapore aerial view" width="1024" height="575" data-orig-srcset="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-1.jpg 1024w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-10.jpg 300w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-11.jpg 768w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-12.jpg 1536w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-13.jpg 2048w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-14.jpg 330w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-15.jpg 800w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-16.jpg 400w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-17.jpg 235w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-18.jpg 960w" data-orig-src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-1.jpg" data-sizes data-src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-1.webp" data-srcset></h2>
<h2>Access to data</h2>
<p>Another criterion is access to data. Cities continuously collect and produce large quantities of data for planning, production, and decision-making. Sharing this data with the private sector can help accelerate smart mobility solutions. The City of Denver creates <a href="https://customers.microsoft.com/story/city-and-county-denver-government-azure" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">a holistic data environment</a> that brings together data from multiple siloed sources to meet its smart mobility goals. Helsinki, Finland, opened access to city <a href="https://hri.fi/en_gb/hri-service/what-is-hri/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">GIS transportation data</a>.</p>
<h2>Alternative transportation</h2>
<p>A third criterion is offering compelling options to the “one car, one driver” model. For smart mobility, alternative options would need to be connected to the cloud:</p>
<ul>
<li>Bicycle commuting: ideal for commutes of a few miles</li>
<li>Carsharing: rent cars by the minute or by the hour</li>
<li>Ridesharing (carpooling): make use of the empty seats already in the system</li>
<li>On-demand ride services: use personal vehicles to offer transportation services</li>
<li>Buses and trains: reimagining existing transportation by integrating them into end-to-end trip plans, including how to travel the last mile home</li>
</ul>
<h2>Autonomous vehicles</h2>
<p>A fourth criterion required to enable smart mobility to reduce traffic congestion is the evolution of autonomous vehicles. While still in development, autonomous vehicles are cars or trucks in which human drivers are not required. These vehicles use sensors and software to control, navigate, and drive the vehicle. The use of autonomous vehicles to reduce traffic congestion depends on public policy. For example, self-driving cars could connect transit hubs, provide public transit services to communities not currently served, and be used to improve public transportation.<sup>3</sup></p>
<h2><img class="attachment-large size-large webp-format" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-2.webp" alt="Downtown city view" width="1024" height="683" data-orig-srcset="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-2.jpg 1024w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-19.jpg 300w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-20.jpg 768w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-21.jpg 1536w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-22.jpg 2048w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-23.jpg 330w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-24.jpg 800w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-25.jpg 400w" data-orig-src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-2.jpg"><img class="attachment-large size-large webp-format lazyload" alt="Downtown city view" width="1024" height="683" data-orig-srcset="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-2.jpg 1024w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-19.jpg 300w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-20.jpg 768w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-21.jpg 1536w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-22.jpg 2048w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-23.jpg 330w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-24.jpg 800w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-25.jpg 400w" data-orig-src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-2.jpg" data-sizes data-src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-2.webp" data-srcset></h2>
<h2>Traffic management</h2>
<p>Traffic management is ultimately at the heart of reducing congestion. The new Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge is a modern-day marvel that has forever changed traffic patterns across one of Asia’s fast-growing areas. Recent estimates say daily volume on the world’s longest sea bridge will reach 29,100 vehicles by 2030 and 42,000 vehicles by 2037. <a href="https://news.microsoft.com/apac/features/traffic-and-azure-drive-across-the-worlds-longest-sea-bridge-and-park-with-help-from-the-cloud/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Wilson Parking</a> enables drivers to pre-book spaces on the bridge, resulting in smoother traffic flows. The <a href="https://customers.microsoft.com/story/city-and-county-denver-government-azure" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">City of Denver</a> uses its capabilities to take a proactive approach to transportation optimizations, for example, by enabling real-time adjustments to traffic flows in the case of accidents or other disruptions.</p>
<p> <img class="attachment-large size-large webp-format" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-3.webp" alt="Two people standing with luggage, looking at a smartphone" width="1024" height="682" data-orig-srcset="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-3.jpg 1024w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-26.jpg 300w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-27.jpg 768w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-28.jpg 1536w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-29.jpg 330w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-30.jpg 800w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-31.jpg 400w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-32.jpg 2000w" data-orig-src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-3.jpg"><img class="attachment-large size-large webp-format lazyload" alt="Two people standing with luggage, looking at a smartphone" width="1024" height="682" data-orig-srcset="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-3.jpg 1024w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-26.jpg 300w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-27.jpg 768w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-28.jpg 1536w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-29.jpg 330w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-30.jpg 800w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-31.jpg 400w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-32.jpg 2000w" data-orig-src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-3.jpg" data-sizes data-src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-3.webp" data-srcset></p>
<h2>Mobility as a Service (MaaS) Applications</h2>
<p>Mobility as a Service (MaaS) applications complete the smart mobility picture. The vision of MaaS is to make it easier and less expensive for car drivers and passengers to travel via alternative forms of transportation. MaaS applications enable travelers to plan trips based on their priorities and preferences. Microsoft is working with companies like <a href="https://news.microsoft.com/transform/moovit-helps-people-disabilities-ride-transit-confidence/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Moovit</a> and <a href="https://news.microsoft.com/2019/02/04/tomtom-expands-partnership-with-microsoft-to-power-microsoft-cloud-offerings-with-location-based-services/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">TomTom</a> to offer critical real-time data to MaaS application providers, enabling them to deliver compelling applications.</p>
<p>By connecting traffic lights, vehicles, people, and roads to the cloud, sharing data, embracing alternative modes of transportation, and building traffic management systems, cities like Hong Kong, Taipei, and Denver are experiencing success and leading the way for other cities. As travelers adopt MaaS applications, they will increasingly choose mass transit options over driving on their own. The advent of autonomous vehicles will eventually help reduce traffic congestion even further.</p>
<p>Learn how Microsoft can help you <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/industry/automotive/smart-mobility-services?rtc=1&activetab=pillars:primaryr6" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">get started with smart mobility.</a></p>
<hr>
<p>References:</p>
<p><sup>1</sup><a href="https://population.un.org/wpp/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">United Nations Dept. of Economics and Social Population Dynamics</a></p>
<p><sup>2</sup><a href="https://inrix.com/scorecard/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">INRIX 2018 Global Scorecard</a></p>
<p><sup>3</sup><a href="https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/maximizing-benefits-self-driving-vehicles" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Union of Concerned Scientists, Maximizing the Benefits of Self-Driving Vehicles</a></p>
</div>
https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/2020/02/...ongestion/
<div><p>Traffic congestion is a problem in cities all over the world. The U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs states that 68 percent of the world’s population will live in cities over the coming decades up from 55 percent today.<sup>1</sup> As cities grow, congestion will get worse.</p>
<p>In Moscow, Russia, the average driver spends 210 hours a year waiting in traffic, while in Mexico City, Mexico, the average driver spends 218 a year in traffic. In Chicago, Illinois, the average driver is relatively lucky as they only spend 138 hours a year in traffic.<sup>2</sup></p>
<p><img class="attachment-large size-large webp-format" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion.webp" alt="person sitting at a bus stop, looking at a smartphone" width="1024" height="683" data-orig-srcset="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion.jpg 1024w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...tion-4.jpg 300w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...tion-5.jpg 768w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...tion-6.jpg 330w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...tion-7.jpg 800w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...tion-8.jpg 400w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...tion-9.jpg 1500w" data-orig-src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion.jpg"><img class="attachment-large size-large webp-format lazyload" alt="person sitting at a bus stop, looking at a smartphone" width="1024" height="683" data-orig-srcset="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion.jpg 1024w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...tion-4.jpg 300w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...tion-5.jpg 768w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...tion-6.jpg 330w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...tion-7.jpg 800w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...tion-8.jpg 400w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...tion-9.jpg 1500w" data-orig-src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion.jpg" data-sizes data-src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion.webp" data-srcset></p>
<p>One solution to traffic congestion is smart mobility. Smart mobility is the concept of connecting the elements of a city’s transportation system to the cloud. Data from each element—vehicles, traffic signals, people, roads, and <a href="https://azure.microsoft.com/services/azure-maps/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">maps</a>—is collected, combined, and analyzed to optimize the flow of vehicles in the city.</p>
<p>If we drill down on how cities are using smart mobility to reduce traffic congestion today, we see best practices emerge. Let’s look at six key items that cities should embrace to enable smart mobility solutions.</p>
<p>To learn how Microsoft can help you get started with smart mobility, <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/industry/automotive/smart-mobility-services?activetab=pillars:primaryr6" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">explore these resources</a>.</p>
<h2>Connected infrastructure</h2>
<p>One criterion required to enable smart mobility to reduce traffic congestion is connected infrastructure. The different parts of a city’s transportation system need to be connected to the cloud: traffic lights, cars, buses, trains, bikes, people, maps, and even roads. This Internet of Things (IoT) approach allows location, speed, capacity, and other data to be collected, stored, and analyzed. Wilson Parking recently <a href="https://news.microsoft.com/apac/features/traffic-and-azure-drive-across-the-worlds-longest-sea-bridge-and-park-with-help-from-the-cloud/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">invested in connected infrastructure</a> to decrease congestion for drivers using the new Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. The city of Taipai has <a href="https://customers.microsoft.com/story/724998-city-of-taipei-azure-aaeon-taiwan" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">launched an initiative</a> to connect 150,000 streetlights.</p>
<h2><img class="attachment-large size-large webp-format" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-1.webp" alt="Singapore aerial view" width="1024" height="575" data-orig-srcset="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-1.jpg 1024w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-10.jpg 300w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-11.jpg 768w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-12.jpg 1536w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-13.jpg 2048w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-14.jpg 330w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-15.jpg 800w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-16.jpg 400w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-17.jpg 235w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-18.jpg 960w" data-orig-src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-1.jpg"><img class="attachment-large size-large webp-format lazyload" alt="Singapore aerial view" width="1024" height="575" data-orig-srcset="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-1.jpg 1024w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-10.jpg 300w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-11.jpg 768w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-12.jpg 1536w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-13.jpg 2048w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-14.jpg 330w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-15.jpg 800w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-16.jpg 400w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-17.jpg 235w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-18.jpg 960w" data-orig-src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-1.jpg" data-sizes data-src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-1.webp" data-srcset></h2>
<h2>Access to data</h2>
<p>Another criterion is access to data. Cities continuously collect and produce large quantities of data for planning, production, and decision-making. Sharing this data with the private sector can help accelerate smart mobility solutions. The City of Denver creates <a href="https://customers.microsoft.com/story/city-and-county-denver-government-azure" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">a holistic data environment</a> that brings together data from multiple siloed sources to meet its smart mobility goals. Helsinki, Finland, opened access to city <a href="https://hri.fi/en_gb/hri-service/what-is-hri/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">GIS transportation data</a>.</p>
<h2>Alternative transportation</h2>
<p>A third criterion is offering compelling options to the “one car, one driver” model. For smart mobility, alternative options would need to be connected to the cloud:</p>
<ul>
<li>Bicycle commuting: ideal for commutes of a few miles</li>
<li>Carsharing: rent cars by the minute or by the hour</li>
<li>Ridesharing (carpooling): make use of the empty seats already in the system</li>
<li>On-demand ride services: use personal vehicles to offer transportation services</li>
<li>Buses and trains: reimagining existing transportation by integrating them into end-to-end trip plans, including how to travel the last mile home</li>
</ul>
<h2>Autonomous vehicles</h2>
<p>A fourth criterion required to enable smart mobility to reduce traffic congestion is the evolution of autonomous vehicles. While still in development, autonomous vehicles are cars or trucks in which human drivers are not required. These vehicles use sensors and software to control, navigate, and drive the vehicle. The use of autonomous vehicles to reduce traffic congestion depends on public policy. For example, self-driving cars could connect transit hubs, provide public transit services to communities not currently served, and be used to improve public transportation.<sup>3</sup></p>
<h2><img class="attachment-large size-large webp-format" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-2.webp" alt="Downtown city view" width="1024" height="683" data-orig-srcset="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-2.jpg 1024w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-19.jpg 300w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-20.jpg 768w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-21.jpg 1536w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-22.jpg 2048w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-23.jpg 330w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-24.jpg 800w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-25.jpg 400w" data-orig-src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-2.jpg"><img class="attachment-large size-large webp-format lazyload" alt="Downtown city view" width="1024" height="683" data-orig-srcset="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-2.jpg 1024w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-19.jpg 300w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-20.jpg 768w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-21.jpg 1536w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-22.jpg 2048w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-23.jpg 330w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-24.jpg 800w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-25.jpg 400w" data-orig-src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-2.jpg" data-sizes data-src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-2.webp" data-srcset></h2>
<h2>Traffic management</h2>
<p>Traffic management is ultimately at the heart of reducing congestion. The new Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge is a modern-day marvel that has forever changed traffic patterns across one of Asia’s fast-growing areas. Recent estimates say daily volume on the world’s longest sea bridge will reach 29,100 vehicles by 2030 and 42,000 vehicles by 2037. <a href="https://news.microsoft.com/apac/features/traffic-and-azure-drive-across-the-worlds-longest-sea-bridge-and-park-with-help-from-the-cloud/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Wilson Parking</a> enables drivers to pre-book spaces on the bridge, resulting in smoother traffic flows. The <a href="https://customers.microsoft.com/story/city-and-county-denver-government-azure" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">City of Denver</a> uses its capabilities to take a proactive approach to transportation optimizations, for example, by enabling real-time adjustments to traffic flows in the case of accidents or other disruptions.</p>
<p> <img class="attachment-large size-large webp-format" src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-3.webp" alt="Two people standing with luggage, looking at a smartphone" width="1024" height="682" data-orig-srcset="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-3.jpg 1024w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-26.jpg 300w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-27.jpg 768w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-28.jpg 1536w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-29.jpg 330w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-30.jpg 800w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-31.jpg 400w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-32.jpg 2000w" data-orig-src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-3.jpg"><img class="attachment-large size-large webp-format lazyload" alt="Two people standing with luggage, looking at a smartphone" width="1024" height="682" data-orig-srcset="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-3.jpg 1024w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-26.jpg 300w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-27.jpg 768w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-28.jpg 1536w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-29.jpg 330w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-30.jpg 800w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-31.jpg 400w, https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-conte...ion-32.jpg 2000w" data-orig-src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-3.jpg" data-sizes data-src="https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/smart-mobility-6-solutions-helping-reduce-traffic-congestion-3.webp" data-srcset></p>
<h2>Mobility as a Service (MaaS) Applications</h2>
<p>Mobility as a Service (MaaS) applications complete the smart mobility picture. The vision of MaaS is to make it easier and less expensive for car drivers and passengers to travel via alternative forms of transportation. MaaS applications enable travelers to plan trips based on their priorities and preferences. Microsoft is working with companies like <a href="https://news.microsoft.com/transform/moovit-helps-people-disabilities-ride-transit-confidence/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Moovit</a> and <a href="https://news.microsoft.com/2019/02/04/tomtom-expands-partnership-with-microsoft-to-power-microsoft-cloud-offerings-with-location-based-services/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">TomTom</a> to offer critical real-time data to MaaS application providers, enabling them to deliver compelling applications.</p>
<p>By connecting traffic lights, vehicles, people, and roads to the cloud, sharing data, embracing alternative modes of transportation, and building traffic management systems, cities like Hong Kong, Taipei, and Denver are experiencing success and leading the way for other cities. As travelers adopt MaaS applications, they will increasingly choose mass transit options over driving on their own. The advent of autonomous vehicles will eventually help reduce traffic congestion even further.</p>
<p>Learn how Microsoft can help you <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/industry/automotive/smart-mobility-services?rtc=1&activetab=pillars:primaryr6" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">get started with smart mobility.</a></p>
<hr>
<p>References:</p>
<p><sup>1</sup><a href="https://population.un.org/wpp/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">United Nations Dept. of Economics and Social Population Dynamics</a></p>
<p><sup>2</sup><a href="https://inrix.com/scorecard/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">INRIX 2018 Global Scorecard</a></p>
<p><sup>3</sup><a href="https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/maximizing-benefits-self-driving-vehicles" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Union of Concerned Scientists, Maximizing the Benefits of Self-Driving Vehicles</a></p>
</div>
https://www.sickgaming.net/blog/2020/02/...ongestion/