By John Rammutla, Associate: Highways, Transport & Infrastructure, WSP in Africa

People often overlook the importance of road transport systems, but their smooth functioning relies on the interaction of various elements within the built environment. The growing digitisation of system components offers opportunities to tackle transport-related challenges, such as road congestion and accessibility, by integrating technology and data to develop digital transport solutions. To fully harness the benefits of digitisation - such as improved safety, efficiency, inclusivity, and sustainability - a thorough understanding of the interactions between these elements, with people at the centre, is essential.

Mapping the scene

The performance of road transport infrastructure is facing a range of ever-increasing demands, fuelled by steady population growth, rising urbanisation rates, the adoption of more connected and automated vehicles, and more frequent extreme weather due to climate change.

Driving the need for change, today’s transport systems face several challenges, including but not limited to:

• Safety performance plateauing: A general plateauing of safety metrics is limiting progress toward Vision Zero (the aim for zero traffic fatalities and severe injuries as well as ensure safe and equitable transport for all).
• Environmental challenges: The environmental impact of road transport infrastructure poses a significant threat to ecosystem health and human wellbeing through contributions to air and noise pollution. Road transport also constitutes the highest proportion of overall transport emissions globally.
• Accessibility and inclusivity: Road transport infrastructure continues to act as a barrier to mobility for marginalised communities, thereby contributing to inequity.
• Urbanisation and population growth: Cities are swelling as more people move to urban centres in pursuit of economic, social and personal benefit; overall global population growth and associated urbanisation is predicted to continue until at least 2050.
• Financial constraints and material shortages: Governments are facing a challenging financial situation with high interest rates and rapidly increasing costs in labour, materials and general service delivery. As a result, road transport infrastructure projects are grappling with constrained budgets and material scarcities limiting the capacity for governments to deliver on ambitious construction plans.

These myriads of challenges also underpin the areas to be addressed on the journey to digitalisation.

Digitally transformed road infrastructure

The digitisation of system components provides opportunities to solve transport related challenges, including road congestion and accessibility, for example, by integrating technology and data to create digital transport solutions. However, implementing system-wide digitalisation is not a simple solution, but one that requires a vision centred around three core principles.

The first of these is implementing the goals of digitalisation through a whole-system perspective, strategic investment and a willingness to embrace continuous change. Secondly, it requires those who advise, design, engineer and operate road infrastructure to prioritise the provision of inclusive, equitable and accessible digitised systems, so as to make the benefits of digital transformation available to all. Thirdly, system wide digitisation requires collaboration across all accountable government portfolios, industries and disciplines to break down siloes and build resilient and adaptable transport networks for current and future generations.

While this may seem like a tall order, it is entirely achievable, due in no small part to the digital revolution of the recent decades. This digital revolution, and the integration of digital technologies, not only transformed businesses and industries, but it also transformed road transport for the better.

Advanced computing, telecommunications and data analytics have merged with traditional transport infrastructure through Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), enabling cities to greatly improve the operational capabilities of transport systems. Furthermore, real-time navigation and traffic monitoring have enabled more efficient and responsive management of road networks.

The success of these innovations, and whether they facilitate the development of safer, greener and equitable transport systems, will greatly depend on the adoption of a whole-system approach that considers the interdependencies between technology, infrastructure and people.

With that in mind, Digital Transport Infrastructure is an emerging international term used to highlight the evolution of the digitalisation journey, building on historic global developments in ITS that have led to changes in how we perceive the convergence of technology, digitalisation and transportation.

The road to Digital Transport Infrastructure

Underpinning digital transformation of road transportation are four key megatrends. These are driving changes across all aspects of society but form an integral enabler to realising Digital Transport Infrastructure and include developments in: connectivity, data processing and computing; energy, artificial intelligence (AI) and automation.

To examining how to develop modern, sustainable transport networks, our evolving definition of Digital Transport Infrastructure refers to mobility-related infrastructure shaped by technological and data-driven components, utilised to deliver whole-system outcomes driven by customer needs and policy objectives. Our concept offers a holistic perspective that supports enhanced outcomes and transforms the way we all use our road transport networks. To deepen this understanding we have also identified ten pathways to guide government and regulatory bodies, policymakers, road authorities and infrastructure operators, solution and service providers, and transport organisations/operators to successfully navigate their digital transformation journeys.

1. Policy and regularly framework: Establishing policies and regulations that incentivise the adoption of Digital Transport Infrastructure. This includes setting standards for digital systems, data privacy, cybersecurity, and interoperability.
2. Governance and enterprise framework: Creating a structured framework to coordinate activities among diverse stakeholders from both public and private sectors. This aligns all parties to share objectives and risks, fostering genuine collaboration, mutual accountability, and a balanced approach to financial responsibilities.
3. Research and Development (R&D): Particularly investing in R&D to develop innovative technologies and solutions for Digital Transport Infrastructure. This can include funding research institutions, startups, and technology firms working on digital transportation systems.
4. Infrastructure delivery: Including upgrading existing road infrastructure to support digital technologies, such as installing sensors, cameras, and communication networks. This also involves integrating digital infrastructure with existing transportation systems.
5. Data collection and analytics: This means implementing systems for collecting, processing, and analysing data from digital infrastructure. This data can be used to optimise traffic flow, improve safety, and enhance transportation planning.
6. Public awareness and education: Educating the public about the benefits of Digital Transport Infrastructure and promoting behaviour change. This can include campaigns to encourage the use of digital tools for navigation, traffic management, and vehicle connectivity.
7. Capacity and capability building: Building the technical capacity and capability of government agencies, transportation professionals, and other stakeholders to plan, implement, and manage Digital Transport Infrastructure effectively.
8. International partnerships: Collaborating with other countries and international organisations to share best practices, standards, and technologies for Digital Transport Infrastructure.
9. Demonstration pilots and trials: Launching pilot projects to demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of Digital Transport Infrastructure. These projects can help build confidence among stakeholders and encourage broader adoption.
10. Continuous monitoring and evaluation: Continuously evaluating the performance of Digital Transport Infrastructure and making adjustments as needed.

Each pathway offers specific strategies to leverage technological and data-driven components ensuring that Digital Transport Infrastructure aligns with customer needs and policy objectives. Following these pathways will further help stakeholders accelerate system-wide development. It is important to note that the pathways are designed to be flexible and adaptable, with the recognition that some pathways may be more applicable than others depending on the different contexts.

When we look at our roads, change is unavoidable. Gone are the days when vehicles and infrastructure function as separate entities. Today, the boundaries between vehicles, roads, communication networks and the users themselves have blurred, creating a dynamic, evolving ecosystem. Looking ahead, the synergy between technology, infrastructure and users will continue to drive innovations in road transport, especially as transport data becomes ubiquitous and more accessible. Acting upon a focused vision, and implementing these pathways above, can ensure that change is meaningful, and lead us to the evolution of our roads and a road infrastructure that is safer, more inclusively accessible and sustainable for all.