Industry leaders explore the road to efficient transport

Cambridge Consultants, a leading design and development firm, released today a report discussing the critical needs and opportunities presented by ageing and inefficient transport systems across Europe.  The report, entitled “The Efficient Journey: Creating a commercial reality or just a dream?” is the culmination of a 24-hour transport workshop hosted by Cambridge Consultants that included experts from TomTom, Siemens AG, British Gas, and other industry and academic leaders in the transport and energy space.

The report suggests several possible solutions to decrease transport’s carbon footprint.  Controlling price is a notable tool, including price increases on less efficient travel methods, and higher pricing as a load balancing tool during peak travel times.  Intriguingly, mobile devices could play a significant role in allowing consumers to make better-informed decisions. Sophisticated automotive ‘Black Boxes’ could provide data to Pay-as-You Drive insurance, in-vehicle driver advice (e.g. the optimum gear for a given speed) and fuel monitoring.  Social media could also play a key role, as real-time information-sharing among peers gains increasing influence over behaviour.

Four broad categories are identified by which to measure “the efficient journey”: transportation, technological, economic and experiential. These cover costs (economic, financial and social), fuel efficiency, energy storage, resource allocation and traveller experience. Once the goal of diminishing travel’s carbon footprint is established, some disagreement on how to address the goal drives competition, and competition drives innovative solutions.

“Behaviour will not change based purely on scientific arguments, particularly when it comes to travel choices.  With transport accounting for 20-25 percent of world energy consumption, we must be resolute in our determination to effect significant change in infrastructure, technology and consumer decisions” said Dr. Liz Orme, Commercial Director of Energy and Transport, Cambridge Consultants.  “Surprisingly, large government funded infrastructure projects are not necessarily the solution.  Our conversations suggest that governments need to set broader transportation goals and then focus on market mechanisms to drive behavioural changes and allow competition to drive innovation.”

Cambridge Consultants are innovators in the development of transport applications, specialising in intelligent transport systems that function at the interface between technology and operations.  Deploying techniques such as active traffic management, transport RADAR and NMCS compatibility, Cambridge Consultants’ team of engineers and experts have enabled their clients to resolve the challenges and demands placed on today’s transport infrastructure.