5 benefits of implementing IoT for smart mobility

The recent boom in mobility has largely been spurred by smart mobility. Smart mobility can optimise and automate our roadways, reduce our carbon footprint, and cut costs on various fronts — but only if we can seize the opportunity.

This post will look at the benefits smart mobility offers and how you can capitalise on those benefits today.

What is smart mobility?

Smart mobility refers to any transportation means or tools that have embraced connectivity. Trains and aeroplanes are the most familiar examples. Connectivity and automation make these vehicles more consistent, secure, and efficient.

More recently, though, we've seen smart mobility in micro-mobility solutions. This includes eScooters and bike-sharing services, which use connectivity to enable access via apps and web services.

We also see smart mobility implemented in traffic lights, smart motorways, and cars. These solutions can drastically improve how we get around by reducing traffic congestion, creating safer roads, and decreasing emissions within urban areas.

How does IoT for smart mobility work?

Core to the future of smart mobility is IoT. IoT, or the Internet of Things, is the combination of technologies and connectivity solutions so that all devices are communicating with one another.

In the smart mobility sector, IoT is critical. It will bring IoT sensors to various vehicles and transportation devices, allowing them to better understand, interact with, and navigate their environment.

The result will be smarter roadways, where vehicles are aware of and communicate with one another, moving in harmony. It'll mean less traffic, more eco-friendly transportation options, and increased access to transportation.

Clear benefits of smart mobility

There are plenty of benefits of smart mobility, but let’s look at five of these benefits in detail to start to see the bigger picture of how smart mobility will impact our world and our urban areas.

1. Optimization and automation

At the heart of smart mobility, innovations are optimisation and automation. Optimisation increases the amount of data vehicles have access to, allowing for new routines and features that have never been possible.

For instance, cars will be able to proactively react to maintenance concerns. Trains will be able to let nearby vehicles know when they're about to impede a specific route, traffic lights will cut down on traffic delays, and traffic accidents will become fewer and farther between.

2. Road safety

Speaking of fewer accidents, road safety is another huge benefit of smart mobility investment. Road accidents nearly always occur due to human error or mechanical failure.

As covered, smart mobility allows vehicles to respond to mechanical failures proactively, reducing the chances that this will lead to an accident. And automation removes the opportunity for human error, reducing the number of traffic accidents substantially.

3. Reduced carbon footprint

Another core feature of smart mobility is its ability to reduce our carbon footprint. It does this in many ways, some of which we've already touched upon.

Smart mobility optimises transportation. This optimisation means shorter routes, less idling, and more fuel-efficient travelling. These features work together to put a dent in the carbon footprint that transportation generates.

Plus, smart mobility vehicles often run on clean energy. Many of them are electric or, in the case of bike-sharing, powered by people, so they use less energy. The energy they do use can often be sourced outside of fossil fuels. The more people rely on smart mobility, the smaller our overall carbon footprint will be.

4. Reduced costs

According to the NHTSA, traffic accidents account for $299.5 billion in economic losses every year. That's a scary number to consider, but it's also one that we know we can cut down with smart mobility.

Thanks to smart mobility's ability to reduce traffic accidents, we can start to bring this number down, putting more money in people's pockets and diverting government resources to more productive projects.

5. Improved urban life

Last but not least, smart mobility can improve urban life for individuals. Alongside creating safer, more eco-friendly roads, it increases access to and lowers the cost of transportation.

Options like bike and ride-sharing and eScooters provide a quick and affordable option for last-mile transportation. This can help people commute to work for less money and can help them avoid buying cars or using fossil fuel transit options.

Smart mobility also reduces the crowding on city streets, creating a safer and quieter cityscape.

How Velos IoT can help you benefit from smart mobility

Velos IoT has developed various solutions for the IoT sector, including IoT management platforms, SIM distribution, and global connectivity. You can get your smart mobility fleet connected today by filling out the form below.