Unlocking Greater Intelligence

Smart to Future Cities Conference: The Future of Urban Mobility

At the Smart to Future Cities conference held in London, Lukas Neckermann, Managing Director of Neckermann Strategic Advisors, discussed how autonomous vehicles (AVs) could either worsen or enhance urban mobility. “These vehicles might make city life better,” he said, “but some argue they could encourage people to move out of cities by making long commutes more comfortable.”

Neckermann admitted that the future remains uncertain, and we don’t know which types of vehicles will adopt automation first. “There’s a lot we don’t know,” he stated. “Yet, we have to start making decisions now for a sustainable and livable future. What we do know is that vehicles will become electric eventually, we’ll need global best practices, a vibrant start-up community’s innovation, and smart strategies powered by data.”

Geoff Snelson, Director of Strategy for Milton Keynes Council, echoed this uncertainty but noted the importance of preparation. Milton Keynes, a city founded in 1967 and designed for drivers, was initially a success but now faces new challenges with a rapidly growing population set to hit 500,000 by 2050. Snelson suggested increasing population density and developing rail-based transit as part of their strategy.

Milton Keynes is actively investing in infrastructure to decarbonize transport. It already has 170 charging posts in the city center, 50 rapid chargers, and is creating a rapid charging station at the M1 motorway junction. The city is also a leader in smart technology, with nearly 2,000 parking sensors and 445 junction sensors that help manage traffic flow.

Collaborating with Coventry, Milton Keynes is deeply involved in the UK Autodrive autonomous vehicle project. “We are testing connected and driverless cars, developing pods for autonomous transport, and planning real journeys through the city,” Snelson said. The city currently has three test pods, but plans to deploy a fleet of 40 by July.

Meanwhile, in Murcia, Spain, Jaime Ruiz Huescar, the city’s e-mobility manager, shared their advancements in electric and autonomous vehicles. Murcia has developed an app to help drivers find parking spaces, firmly believing AVs will soon be mainstream. The city has also introduced electric scooters for civil servants.

Portsmouth, UK, is working on V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) systems although it’s facing challenges due to the varied ages and capabilities of its traffic signal equipment.

The conference clearly highlighted the transformative potential of AVs and the pressing need for cities to adapt and innovate to future-proof urban mobility.