A TASTE OF WHAT’S ON OFFER FOR THE ENTIRE PUBLIC TRANSPORT INDUSTRY
The 2017 Global Public Transport Summit in Montréal is the not-to-miss event that brings together influential executives and strategists from the world’s leading transport authorities, providers, manufacturers and operators.
One of the biggest appeals of next year’s summit is the strong focus on four critical themes in today’s public transport: rapid urbanisation, digitalisation, energy efficiency, and the need to redefine urban transport services.
Growing urbanisation
According to the 2014 UN World Urbanization Prospects Report, about 66% of the world’s population will be living in cities by the year 2050.
Though many socio-economic factors are driving this evolution, it is clear that cities must work harder to include people from all levels of society, in order for cities to take on a more prominent role in in tomorrow’s world. One key topic that will be addressed in detail during the 2017 UITP Summit is how urban public transport authorities and operators can better meet the needs of all customers, including the elderly and people with reduced mobility.
Challenges in digitalisation
The summit will also focus on trends in digitalisation and constant innovation that are driving the need for new skills in the entire mobility sector. In order to continue serving the needs of customers, as well as stay competitive, public transport operators and manufacturers must adapt to – and even take part in developing – these new technologies, whilst dealing with challenges in cybersecurity.
Energy-efficient opportunities
Innovative developments, like alternative propulsion systems, allow manufacturers and operators in the public transport sector to benefit from greater energy efficiency. During the summit there will be many participants on hand, including vehicle manufacturers and transport operators, to show how they have embraced these technologies and share industry best practices.
The need to redefine urban transport
Various transport services that offer the shared use of vehicles are becoming a common sight in today’s urban mobility scene. Together, with the rise of autonomous driving technology, these services have the potential to reduce private car usage and congestion, or encourage it.
One of the topics that will be covered during the UITP Summit is how, correctly applied, autonomous vehicle technology and new transport services can totally redefine how authorities plan and improve public transport, in both urban and intra-suburban areas.
Find out more on the 2017 UITP Summit in the brochure
