Technology has developed rapidly over the past few decades, and standing atop of that development is the creation of the 5G network. This technology has surpassed its predecessor in every way imaginable, and the impact it has on industries all over the world is highly beneficial. One of the industries benefiting from this technology is the transportation industry. A World Bank report titled ‘Envisioning 5G – Enabled Transport’ has lay out some use cases for the transport sector and how 5G is likely to enable important transformations in 3 major potential applications, such as the rise of connected autonomous vehicles, increasingly smart and efficient logistics, and improved urban transportation with the implementation of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platforms. The sheer prowess of the 5G networks will transform and take the transportation industry into the digital era.

Logistics Sector

It’s a given that if the transportation industry would be changed by the 5G networks, then the logistics sector of it would also undergo a heavy transformation. 5G technology will be able to open three fundamental aspects for increasing efficiency. The first aspect is unlocking the operation of autonomous vehicles, with multiple terrains covered, such as the land, sea, and air. The second aspect is the simplification of communications and signaling processes while also drastically reducing the cost of connected devices. The third and final aspect is the increase of battery life, ranging up to 10 years. All of these aspects combined will produce impacts that will raise the potential for connected freight massively, resulting in the ability to track goods throughout the logistics chain and streamline the planning process simultaneously. For example, operational efficiency will improve with the use of smart sensors and onboard computers that will monitor the position, speed, fuel consumption, and component failure of the vehicles whilst the transmitted data will be captured and analysed, anytime and anywhere in the world.

The management of the logistics sector would also be facilitated effectively with the improvement of port operations and rail safety, enhancement of infrastructure monitoring, supporting third-party logistics (3PL) players, and boosting overall performance and productivity. A true autonomous and connected logistics sector, boasting maximum levels of efficiency will become a reality, all thanks to the all-powerful 5G technology.

A Modern and Safe Urban Area

A technology of this caliber has the ability to transform and future-proof a large urban area. The 5G networks provide a revolutionary opportunity for urban mobility, where cities would have the chance to modernize their transport systems. The implementation of 5G into urban areas will improve their public transport operations, such as the creation of a dynamic transport planning with the ability to reduce traffic congestion, space reallocation for cyclists and pedestrians, generating more revenue by increasing public transport ridership, and developing business models like the MaaS, not to mention, reducing the tariffs and increasing the affordability for low-income users. Furthermore, the monitoring and control systems for smart cards will be drastically improved while also reducing fraud actions. The transport agencies would also benefit from this implementation as they will be able to better target the subsidies for public transport users in vulnerable settings through an enhanced understanding of mobility patterns.

With the urban transport system enhanced, its overall efficiency would also go through the roof. The 5G technology has the ability to provide real time monitoring of public transport vehicles and user demand management, where the matching process between supply and demand will become more effective. This will create a near real-time Origin-Destination (OD) matrix to make transport operators more efficient. They will be able to avoid operations of either empty or overloaded vehicles, resulting in the enhancement of the quality of service for users. Additionally, increased connectivity between transport modes, all integrating mobility options into a single MaaS platform will allow users to choose trip options from dozens of choices and find which one is the most suitable for them. Users will then enjoy a better onboard entertainment display, and feel substantially safer than ever before due to the improved connectivity to the control center and authorities, with reduced response time in case of an emergency or any kind of assault within the public transport area. This goes to show that the 5G technology will be able to transform the public transport systems whilst granting its users high levels of convenience and safety.

In Conclusion

The ground-breaking 5G technology brings many benefits to different kinds of industry, and through these points stated above, its implementation will undoubtedly take the transportation industry into the future.

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