Highlights from the TRA2018 conference programme – Day 2 – Digitalisation

Digitalisation of the transport system was at the centre of discussions on Day 2 at TRA2018. Digitalisation is currently transforming the transportation sector; new digital infrastructures are being developed, new players are pushing digital business models and services onto the market, which are affecting the whole sector. Expanding digitalisation will affect all modes of transport, carriers and operators, whether in motorised personal transport, public transport, logistics, shipping or aviation. Automated and Connected Driving (CCAD) and Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) are key elements of digitalised systems and the necessary changes and adaptations of infrastructure and vehicle technology to enable their successful deployment were discussed in numerous sessions.

The participants of all the discussions maintained that artificial intelligence, big data and blockchain technology will disrupt the existing systems, but the specific effects and ramifications are still unclear. These data-driven developments and technologies demand that issues of data and cyber security be closely observed in the future. For this aspect, the participants particularly emphasised the potential of blockchain technologies.

Increased cooperation among actors on all levels (e.g. through PPPs) is vital and a whole system approach is needed to be able to respond to these rapid technological developments and at the same time use them establish a more efficient and sustainable transport system.

At present, the extensive changes facing economy, labour market and society cannot be assessed or estimated either. For this reason, increased in-depth research is needed to identify the potential challenges and test concepts to counter the negative effects of digitalisation. The panellists, speakers and audience stated repeatedly that people need to be the central focus throughout these future developments.

“We need to provide information channels which allow the inclusion of groups who do not take part in the digitalisation process”, stated Floridea Di Ciommo, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Co-founder of cambiaMO [STR1.1]