The nine engines of smart mobility

Technologies, social changes and regulatory evolution. It is the convergence of these three factors that drives the growth of smart mobilitywhich allows us to respond to a series of current needs, from traffic management to safety. Mundysan Italian multinational which through its subsidiaries manages airports, urban and interurban mobility services, motorways and infrastructures has created in collaboration with Oliver Wyman (strategic consultancy) a study onevolution of sustainable mobilityincluded in the white paper “Fast-tracking the Mobility Revolution”.

The mobility ecosystem

The analysis identifies new mega trend which will impact the future evolution of the mobility ecosystem. Many trends are related to emerging technologies that could provide new mobility solutions, such as space-based technologies. Others, however, have to do with making better use of urban space and customer experience, as well as supporting the transition towards more sustainable and equitable access to mobility.

The evolutionary drivers identified are:

1. Urbanization

2. Digital mobility services

3. Connected and autonomous vehicles

4. Smart devices and infrastructure

5. Tech transfer from the defense to the civil sector

6. Tecnologie space-based

7. Sustainability-oriented regulations

8. Sustainable energy and fuels

9. Artificial intelligence

In such a dynamic context, analysts explain, the challenge for sector players is to focus on the most attractive opportunities. The areas to consider to accelerate the transition towards the mobility of the future are multimodal solutions and public-private partnerships.

Convergence towards multimodal solutions

Industries appear to be progressively converging on multimodal solutions to meet the complex needs of customers. But what was once exclusively the domain of pure transport operators has now opened up to players from different sectors, with the ability to exploit their technological know-how and relationships with mobility consumers.

For mobility players, the key is to look beyond traditional transport services and integrate them with a broader range of solutions. For example, in the context of a sharp decline in car purchases, manufacturers will need to combine the capabilities of a technology company, with those of an energy company and a services company, so as to be able to provide consumers an alternative offer to simple vehicle ownership. Therefore, stakeholders should try to identify synergies and collaboration opportunities between different sectors. This collaborative approach would enable the pooling of resources, skills and innovationleading to more efficient and sustainable solutions in response to evolving customer needs.

The role of the public

Il public financing is important — like, for example, the Recovery Fund dell’Unione Europea, which has allocated around 20 billion to stimulate sales of electric vehicles — but it is not enough on its own. Companies also play a crucial role in supporting mobility on the market, guiding the path of innovation and introducing new technologies. The public-private partnership have emerged as a valuable tool for bridging the gap between public funding and private sector expertise, fostering collaboration and accelerating progress.

To ensure a successful mobility transformation, risk allocation and innovation support plans are needed, also leveraging blended finance solutions and other innovative financial instruments. Blended finance, or the strategic use of public funds to attract private investors by reducing their exposure to risk, is particularly impactful, as it allows investors with different risk tolerances to participate in the same project. By working together, institutions and private companies can create an accessible mobility ecosystem that is environmentally friendly and capable of meeting the needs of an evolving society.

Ultimately, sound systemic policies that encourage carbon neutrality, resilience and energy security — at all levels — are urgently needed to promote innovation, competitiveness and unlock market opportunities. Systemic policy can harmonize standards, promote interoperability and facilitate the integration of different modes of transport across jurisdictions. As well as encouraging collaboration and knowledge sharing among all stakeholders.