Converged networks, city-wide surveillance projects and improved information sharing are allowing authorities to take more co-ordinated approaches to transport management. The results will be big benefits for users and more liveable urban environments.

According to Statistics New Zealand, the country’s population grew by 86,900 people in the year to June 2015. If current growth rates continue, the total population is likely to reach 4.82 million in 2018 and 5.16 million by 2025. Much of this growth will occur in the major cities.

Ensuring the cities are capable of catering for increased numbers and can support the associated flow of goods and services is a conundrum facing both the national government and local councils across the country.

Simply investing more money in larger public transport fleets isn’t the complete answer. Using trains and buses to move commuters around is helpful, but it’s only a start. Governments need to find other ways to facilitate efficient transport flows within increasingly populated urban areas.

Creating integrated networks
By connecting and integrating all the disparate transport networks servicing any given city – such as aviation, maritime, trains, buses and roads – using smart communications technologies, it is possible to create a more holistic view and holistic management of transport across the urban environment.

Surveillance and monitoring systems enable each transport agency to capture data about activity such as delays, bottlenecks, security issues or any other problems. The input is shared with related organisations, enabling each agency to respond to issues accordingly.

If a train breaks down and blocks a line for example, additional buses can be quickly scheduled or re-routed to assist. Traffic lights, variable speed signs and the allocation of lanes on highways can be manipulated to alter the behaviour of commuters, to minimise bottlenecks and help dissipate traffic. Throughout, public transport users are kept informed with real time transportation updates, ensuring passengers continue to move towards their destination as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Integrated networks also include emergency services such as the police and fire department, so the relevant authorities are able to speedily respond to incidents such as major road accidents, hazardous spills or fires.

Informed networks are more efficient
Enthusiasm for integrated transport networks is fuelled by the huge potential for efficiency gains. Transport operators know that more intelligent networks mean moving more people from one point to another. They can identify the most efficient routes and forms of transport, and encourage commuter or commercial traffic to travel accordingly.

It’s a sustainable approach to the problem of people movement; one that maximises the investment in urban transport infrastructure and that is ultimately improving the workability, productivity and quality of life for urban inhabitants.

The technology is here
The enablers for this vision are largely present, particularly with the advance of the UFB network. However, overseas experience shows that monitoring and information sharing is just the beginning of the journey. As agencies integrate historical data about their operations, add sensor inputs for real-time views of current events and employ advanced spatial analytics, transport management is elevated to a new level of effectiveness.

And that’s something that will be essential if our cities are to remain people-friendly and functional, given population growth expectations over the next thirty years.

ABOUT SCOTT PENNO//

Scott Penno is APAC marketing manager at Allied Telesis. He has a background in networking and communications technologies with practical experience in a broad range of environments.