- Market value in both regions forecasted to increase
- Line narrowing between public transportation and ridesharing
- New York to screen public transport workers for sleep apnea
Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) refers to communication and information technology that’s applied to transportation systems and vehicles. In Europe and North America, this market is quickly growing as public transportation ridership increases.
Growth is fueled by changing habits and the increase of urban populations. This growth is expected to continue into the foreseeable future.
In 2014, 57.6 billion public transportation journeys were taken in Europe and 13.7 billion in North America, according to a report by Berg Insight AB. For this reason, the ITS market is estimated to be valued annually between $161 billion and $215 billion in Europe and between $64.6 billion and $75 billion in North America.
Is Ridesharing Public Transportation?
The line between public transportation and rideshare is narrowing thanks to partnerships between governments and transportation providers.
Increasingly, transportation authorities are partnering with rideshare companies instead of building new infrastructure.
The partnerships are aimed at tourists and making them aware of local transportation services, but they also can be used to give residents greater access to public transportation.
Once such project is Go Centennial which links Centennial, CO, with the Denver South Transportation Management Association. Residents receive a free Lyft ride to the Dry Creek Light Rail Station.
A similar project is available in Dallas, TX, and Altamonte Springs, FL.
Sleep Apnea Screenings
New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has proposed screening its 20,000 bus drivers and subway drivers and conductors for sleep apnea. Sleep apnea has been the cause of three MTA crashes in four years which resulted in five deaths and hundreds of injuries.
If approved, the MTA will be the first transit authority to screen its employees for sleep apnea.
“With this proposal, we are not just working to implement industry best practices, the MTA is defining best practices,” MTA chairman and CEO Thomas Prendergast said in a statement.
Public Transport ITS in Europe and North America
- In 2014, the number of registered buses and coaches in Europe was 764,000 vehicles and in North America it was 439,000 vehicles.
- By 2020, the value of the public transport ITS market for buses and trams in Europe is forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2%, reaching $2 billion. In 2015, it was valued at $1.5 billion.
- The percentage of on-board computers with GPS location functionality and wireless communication in buses and trams in Europe was 70.9% in 2015. In 2020, it is forecasted to be 85%.
- By 2020, the value of the public transport ITS market for buses and trams in North America is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 8.1%, reaching $93 million. In 2015, it was valued at $63.5 million. The percentage rate is forecasted to be 88.5% in 2020, up from 76.4% in 2015.
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