cars

Public, private sector engagement key to smart cities, experts say


Not only can government and private sector collaboration result in new revenue opportunities, but it can also result in more long-term, sustainable and holistic transportation solutions, said Trevor Pawl, chief mobility officer in Michigan’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer established the state office last February.

“It’s going to be a big decade for transportation and public-private partnerships,” Pawl said. “Private sector engagement can unlock new revenue channels, new ways of thinking.

“It’s important, as we’re addressing things like patching potholes and repairing bridges,” he added, “we need to ensure that we’re also future-proof.”

With that, it’s critical that state governments and transportation departments invest in the right, smart infrastructure — including lane markings, signage and other infrastructure — that support connected and electric vehicle technologies, autonomous vehicles and first- and last-mile solutions. These all “need to fit into our existing transit networks,” Pawl said.

Increasingly smart and connected vehicles can transform cities if they can communicate with this smart infrastructure, said Amanda Roraff, co-founder of Ford’s AV mobility corridor team. Ford is renovating the historic Michigan Central Station in downtown Detroit as a mobility launchpad and also is part of the development of a 40-mile connected- and autonomous-vehicle corridor between Detroit and Ann Arbor.

“The integration of smart infrastructure, talking, communicating with, smart vehicles will basically optimize this transportation network,” Roraff said. But, “it really does take state government to lean in and create opportunities for the public sector and private sector to work together.”

Cost-effectiveness, and accessibility, also are factors to consider.



READ NEWS SOURCE

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.