As we have entered February it is already possible to distinguish the trends that will be influencing the mobility scenery for, at least, the next year.
While some of them are quite predictable and have been here for years (e.g. sustainability, autonomous vehicles), the others have emerged mostly because of the pandemic.
1.More customer-centric rider experience
Customer-centricity is nothing new, however, the comfort, security, and satisfaction of the customer became crucial for the businesses in the last year. With the fall of the demand and ongoing restrictions, any mobility-providing service has to fight for the customers that ask for maximum reliability and confidence in this uncertain time. This results in transport modes that are considered safe becoming more popular.
2. Importance of real-time information
For the same reason of uncertainty, knowing the real-time situation is increasingly important for all parties in the industry. Various researches prove that real-time data collection and sharing improves the situation on the roads, as well as raises demand. It is worth mentioning, though, that with the development of such technologies, the cybersecurity market for the automotive industry will grow rapidly as currently, we have a very limited number of standards that secure hardware and software of the vehicles.
3. Maas and Mobility on Demand
While the lines between the two terms are continuing to blur, most of the discussions result in the realisation that MaaS is a tool that provides access to MOD. By simplifying the method of finding and paying for transportation on-demand, using big data and two-way communication while continually seeking and implementing user feedback, MaaS solutions could replace individual car ownership that seems less and less attractive to the drivers recently.
4. Healthier, future-proof mobility
For many of us, the crisis revealed for the first time how important the mobility is and what a world with little traffic and clean air could look like and how the previous reality appears downright absurd: pollution, traffic jams, difficulties accessing mobility. Thus, the crisis opened up a great opportunity realisation: the design of new, healthier and future-proof mobility. It accelerated the employment of new technologies, transfer to more sustainable choices, and resilience building.
