Innovations in public transportation infographic (English)
Innovations in public transportation often pertain to minor improvements in quality and seldom to large-scale leaps for the public transport system. Globally, the majority of innovations in public transportation involve vehicle technology, payment and information systems, and various types of demand-responsive transportation. For travellers, the most appealing innovations are those that substantially improve door-to-door travel times (both the actual ‘clock time’ and the perceived travel time). It is often unknown whether an innovation will provide a positive business case for the operator over the longer term.
These are some of the conclusions of the KiM Netherlands Institute for Transport Policy Analysis’ research of innovations in public transportation. KiM conducted this research on behalf of the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment’s Public Transport and Railways directorate.
The research moreover reveals that not all innovations successfully secure a large-scale place in the market over the longer term. Innovation is often a process involving serious obstacles.
Would you like to know more about this research? Please read the full report (in Dutch) or peruse the infographic containing highlights of the research. The full report includes an English summary.
The KiM Netherlands Institute for Transport Policy Analysis has mapped innovations in public transportation. The aim of these innovations is to improve product quality, lower the product costs, or a combination thereof.
What do innovations impact?
the traveller
travel time
comfort
convenience
costs
Transport operator
costs
revenues
External factors
the environment
safety
use of public space
What are our findings?
At present, innovations primarily involve minor improvements and the roll-out of that which is already underway.
The focus in literature pertaining to public transport innovations is on vehicle technology, payment and information systems, and demand-responsive transportation.
The traveller benefits most from innovations that substantially improve door-to-door travel times. ‘Travel time’ pertains to both the actual clock time and the perceived travel time.
Innovation is a process that includes obstacles. Hence, many innovations fail to secure a large-scale place in the market.
It is often uncertain whether an innovation will also be profitable over the longer term. Consequently, it is seemingly difficult to find an operator.
Innovations that require new, expensive infrastructure and large amounts of space are still deemed to be unrealistic.
What can authorities do?
Authorities can stimulate innovation by means of:
Knowledge development and knowledge sharing
Subsidies
Fiscal regulations
Ensuring Open Data
Innovation within the current concession system
Authorities can better utilise the opportunities afforded by the current concession system through:
providing more space for experimentation
relinquishing the exclusivity pertaining to public transportation supply
incorporating better financial incentives in contracts with public transport companies.
Innovation over the long term
Over the long term, market initiatives and deregulation offer more opportunities for innovation than government planning and tender concessions. Consequently, more possibilities emerge for entrepreneurship and marketing that is directly focused on the traveller.
Read the full KiM report (in Dutch with English summary) at www.kimnet.nl
