Technology trends

In 2014 it was the advent of Mobility as a Service. In 2022, 15-minute cities were all the rage. In 2023, it was perhaps the rise of electric mobility. What emerging transport technology trend of 2024 will we be nostalgically looking back upon in a few years’ time? Some say it's unmanned urban aerial mobility but Intertraffic gave that very topic an article of its own last month, so what else is on the horizon that is set to take the smart mobility world by storm?

The traffic technology, smart mobility and intelligent transport systems sectors (or perhaps ‘sector’) are constantly evolving. As computing power increases exponentially, so do the possibilities of seamless, sustainable travel that it engenders,

Predictions, therefore, for 2024 and 2025 suggest several emerging tech trends are vying for top spot. V2X communication technology is getting better every day, but as the subjects of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAV) and Connected Cooperative and Autonomous Mobility (CCAM) have been extensively covered in the business press, we take a look at three other trends that are currently grabbing the mobility experts’ attention: Trust Architecture and Digital Identification Tools; Web3; and Quantum Tech.

Trust Architecture & Digital ID

Trust Architecture refers to the framework of mechanisms, protocols, and systems designed to establish, verify and maintain trust among participants in a digital ecosystem. It ensures that interactions between entities - whether they are individuals, organizations, or devices - are secure, reliable, and trustworthy. In the context of ITS and smart mobility, trust architecture plays a crucial role in enabling secure communication, data sharing and decision-making processes that underpin all of these systems that constitute the basic tenets of today’s intelligent transport systems.

Trust architecture must include mechanisms to ensure that any data exchanged within the system can be deemed to have been properly sent (non-repudiation), from a trusted source (authentication), unaltered since being sent (integrity) and protected from unauthorized access (confidentiality). These are the four main requirements of a public key infrastructure. This is essential in ITS, where real-time data is critical for decision-making, such as in traffic management or autonomous vehicle navigation.

In terms of data, trust architecture ensures that that all personal data is handled in compliance with privacy regulations and user consent, thereby preventing misuse or exposure of sensitive information – or both. When it comes to secure V2I and V2V comms, trust architecture ensures that these crucial exchanges of data are secure, authenticated, and resistant to tampering. For example, in a smart city, data from public transport, private vehicles and infrastructure needs to be shared to optimize the city’s available mobility while respecting user privacy.

“For autonomous vehicles to function effectively,” says smart mobility technology expert Eric Masaba, “they must trust the data they receive from other vehicles, infrastructure and, of course, cloud services. Trust architecture underpins this by ensuring that the data is from verified sources and has not been compromised in any way. This trust is crucial for making split-second decisions that could impact safety.”

As an example of a company that is residing on the cutting edge of digital ID technology, California’s Reviver has developed a digital vehicle licence plate, RPLATE, that enables drivers to use a car anonymously on a public road. The technology behind this breakthrough is known as ZKP, or Zero Knowledge Proofs, the basis of which can be traced back to the early 1980s. So, not strictly a new technology trend, but most certainly a new use of existing technology.

Reviver says that it has reimagined the license plate into a future-proofed connected vehicle platform. By embracing technology advancements and working collaboratively with partners throughout the automotive ecosystem, the RPLATE, legal in California, Arizona and Michigan, has helped to enable ‘a better experience for everyone, including drivers, departments of motor vehicles, law enforcement agencies, auto dealerships, and commercial fleet businesses’.

“There seems to be so little understanding of Zero Knowledge Proofs,” adds Masaba. “Zero Knowledge Proofs have the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with technology and uphold our constitutional rights. By enabling privacy-preserving proofs, ZKPs can prevent intrusive measures like geofence trawls and ensure that law enforcement operates within the bounds of reason. Through education and advocacy, we can implement ZKPs to create a more secure and liberty-enhanced digital existence.”

Web3: The Third Wave

Web3 is, for all intents and purposes, the next generation of the Internet where decentralization, blockchain technology and digital assets take centre stage. Unlike its predecessor Web2, which is dominated by centralized platforms and corporations that control and monetize user data, Web3 is ostensibly designed to empower individuals by giving them more control over their data, online identity and digital transactions.

This, in turn, means that Web3 is poised to revolutionize the worlds of transport and mobility. Here’s how.

Web3 enables the development of decentralized ride-sharing platforms that operate without a central authority. In a Web3-based model, riders and drivers connect directly through peer-to-peer networks, while smart contracts could automate payments, with transactions executed using cryptocurrencies. This reduces the need for intermediaries, potentially lowering costs for users and providing the likes of Uber drivers with a larger share of their earnings.

Platforms such as dride.io are exploring these game-changing, decentralized ride-sharing services where users can maintain control over their data and where payments are processed transparently through blockchain.

However, it’s perhaps in the operation and management of Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) where Web3 is likely to find its most appreciative audience. Decentralized networks could be used to coordinate fleets of AVs, ensuring that they operate efficiently and transparently without relying on a single controlling entity. Smart contracts could handle payments, tolls and even dynamic routing based on real-time data shared across a blockchain.

While not exactly in its infancy, Web3 is most certainly still in the early stages, but its intrinsic integration in smart mobility solutions could lead to significant innovations that reshape how we move and manage our movements in the future.

A Quantum Leap

We’re all familiar, presumably, with the notion of quantum mechanics, the fundamental theory in physics that describes the behaviour of nature at and below the scale of atoms. Fortunately, this is not a scientific publication and we can move on to our third and final technology trend: the entirely related quantum technology.

Quantum technology leverages the principles of quantum mechanics, particularly the phenomena of superposition and entanglement, to create new capabilities in computing, communication, sensing and cryptography. Here's how quantum technology relates to sustainable transport and smart mobility:

Quantum computers can process vast amounts of data more efficiently than classical computers, enabling the optimization of traffic management systems and therefore traffic flow. This can reduce congestion and improve fuel efficiency, while quantum algorithms can optimize route planning for the logistics sector and public transport, thereby having a welcome positive effect on energy consumption and emissions.

Quantum sensors can provide highly accurate positioning and navigation information, improving the efficiency of autonomous vehicles and public transport systems alike. They can also detect environmental pollutants and fine particulate matter, helping to monitor and manage air quality in urban areas.

Quantum communication, on the other hand, ensures secure transmission of data for CAVs (connected and autonomous vehicles), protecting against cyber threats and enhancing the reliability of transport networks and smart mobility systems.

Finally, advances in quantum algorithms can optimise energy distribution in smart grids, supporting the integration of renewable energy sources and the efficient charging of electric vehicles. By enhancing the efficiency, security and environmental impact of intelligent transport systems, quantum technology is primed to play a significant role in the future of sustainable mobility.