It seems that every day news about developments on the different modes of transportation we use are rapidly changing and expanding. The way we drive, fly, and commute is constantly being upgraded and explored.
Not only will you find news about countries instituting car-free days and bans on driving, but the Norwegian capital of Oslo may have car-free zones for good in the near future for its center hub as well. This could benefit drivers in reducing traffic and also help the environment by keeping fuel emissions down. Recently The World Bank and Embarq hosted the Transforming Transportation 2016 initiative to promote ideas on sustainability both on the local and global scale.
Meanwhile, the concept of the open subway car may be coming to a city near you in the not-so-distant future. Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) will explore something new, subway trains with open pathways in between each car. This might prove beneficial to the New York passengers as they can then feel free to move about the cabins, making managing and maneuvering their commute that much better.
Over in California, the “powers that be” are working to determine the regulation of self-driving cars in order to keep drivers and pedestrians safe without halting the release of electric cars. There are a lot of rules and regulations as well as many different scenarios to examine when it comes to removing or keeping steering wheels inside electric cars. Imagine being one of the members overseeing this situation. All angles need to be viewed. Advocates for the blind offered input and stepped up to speak about the life changing benefits of self-driving cars. Imagine being on the committee that has to make these types of decisions where the future safety of the public and the advancing of cars and technology both have to be taken into consideration.
Airlines are getting in on the technology band wagon. One such example is JetBlue announcing its newest and latest technology design so the passenger can have the fully connected experience. The passengers will experience a high definition, internet connected, plugged in experience thanks to connected 10-inch screens, multiple channels, and even USB ports to charge their tech tools and toys. The Internet Enabled In-Flight Entertainment system is a step above the smaller screens and fewer channels offered onboard already.
The future is here already when it comes to robotics and airline travel. Robotics are no longer something considered as far away into the future. Robotics are here and now with technology like the customer-service robot launched by KLM. The Spencer robot provides more of a personal touch (as much as can be considered in the world of robotics) by aiding travelers with various tasks like guiding them to their correct gates. Before you know it, robotic technology may advance so much that human travelers may even be able to converse with these forms of artificial intelligence in order to make their travels run that much more smoothly.
Other forms of technology at play at the airport scene are self-service check-ins and electronic baggage tracking devices combining safety for travelers and ease of use for passengers. Biometric data that can keep pertinent information like flight information and passport information linked can create an environment of safety while making it easier for passengers to keep the flow of air travel moving at a steady pace.
While the DeLorean car took us through time travel “Back to the Future,” electronic travel and advances in technology for the auto, air, and train transportation industry are growing at rapid speeds every day. What’s next remains to be seen.