A methodological framework for benchmarking smart transport cities

Abstract

Besides responding to challenges of rapid urbanization and growing traffic congestion, the development of smart transport systems has attracted much attention in recent times. Many promising initiatives have emerged over the years. Despite these initiatives, there is still a lack of understanding about an appropriate definition of smart transport system. As such, it is challenging to identify the appropriate indicators of 'smartness'. This paper proposes a comprehensive and practical framework to benchmark cities according to the smartness in their transportation systems. The proposed methodology was illustrated using a set of data collected from 26 cities across the world through web search and contacting relevant transport authorities and agencies. Results showed that London, Seattle and Sydney were among the world's top smart transport cities. In particular, Seattle and Paris ranked high in smart private transport services while London and Singapore scored high on public transport services. London also appeared to be the smartest in terms of emergency transport services. The key value of the proposed innovative framework lies in a comparative analysis among cities, facilitating city-to-city learning.

Calculation of vehicle delay at signal-controlled intersections with adaptive traffic control algorithm

“…Transport navigation systems for navigating city streets and automated traffic control systems are becoming more popular; they are synchronized with GPS navigation data; the so-called smart traffic light technology is introduced, etc. [1]. This trend is consistent with the principle of sustainable urban development and should ultimately lead to implementation of the livable city concept [2].…”

How Can Autonomous and Connected Vehicles, Electromobility, BRT, Hyperloop, Shared Use Mobility and Mobility-As-A-Service Shape Transport Futures for the Context of Smart Cities?

“…This, from a transport perspective, implies that any urban environment looking to be classified as a smart city, should respond effectively, among others, to the dual mobility challenge, as defined by [2], of rapid urbanisation and growing traffic congestion. The way to address this obstacle is by conceiving, designing and delivering a transport system that provides socially inclusive, environmentally friendly, safe, cost-effective, integrated and technologically informed travel options to road users that enable them to reach their preferred destinations with ease.…”

Urban Policies and Mobility Trends in Italian Smart Cities

“…The elements of definition of the performance are: (i) the result, expressed ex ante as a target and ex post as an outcome; (ii) the body to whom this result is due; and (iii) the activity that is put in place by the body to achieve the result". Numerous studies analyse the development and performance of cities using indicators, after which they compare them with each other and assess progress [34][35][36][37][38][39][40]. Among the problems these studies surely encounter are the incomplete availability of data, and the difficulty of weighing indicators with different units of measure, and combining them to obtain a single indicator [41].…”