The Internet of Things (IoT) has been making inroads into various sectors, and public transportation is no exception. Passenger buses, once considered a traditional mode of travel, have now evolved into smart and efficient means of transportation, primarily owing to the integration of IoT technology. This improves passenger experience and ensures a safe, cost-effective, and sustainable use of public transportation. Buses are now being increasingly integrated with cellular technologies (to provide real-time tracking) and with short-range technologies like Wi-Fi, which allow people to use the internet on personal devices and make payments while boarding and deboarding the vehicles.
Transforma Insights has recently published a report, ‘Road Public Transport: 7.3 million devices by 2032, offering real-time vehicle tracking, on-board payments, and internet services to passengers’ which talks about the use of IoT in road public transport in detail. This blog focuses on the use of IoT in passenger buses and its far-reaching benefits.
Let us now examine the overarching benefits of deploying IoT in passenger buses.
Real-time condition monitoring is one of the most important use cases for IoT. Efficiency in public transportation is vital to ensure that passengers are transported smoothly and without delays. IoT sensors monitor the condition of various bus components in real-time, predicting maintenance needs. This reduces the risk of unexpected breakdowns, leading to fewer disruptions in services.
IoT also enhances passengers’ experience. Many modern buses are now equipped with Wi-Fi, allowing passengers to stay connected and productive during their journey. Passengers can also purchase tickets and check schedules through mobile apps, reducing the need for physical ticketing and saving time. IoT cameras and sensors are also equipped to count the number of passengers on board and ensure that drivers and authorities are alerted in case of overcrowding to prevent hazardous situations.
Besides, manufacturers are incorporating connectivity in buses to allow passengers to track these vehicles in real-time via GPS and have information displayed on buses’ display screens regarding their routes and schedules, thereby improving commuters’ experience.
Access to live traffic data enables connected buses to make decisions such as rerouting to avoid congestion and ensure that passengers reach their destinations in the quickest possible way. IoT systems also optimise fuel consumption by monitoring driving behaviour and engine performance. This results in cost savings and reduces the carbon footprint of public transportation.
Emergency alerts are another important aspect as the deployed IoT sensors are well equipped to detect unusual events like accidents or breakdowns and send automated alerts to allow authorities to take swift actions such as changing routes or finding better alternatives to the destinations.
IoT can contribute to a more sustainable and environmental-friendly public transportation system. With real-time traffic data and route optimisation, buses can reduce idle time and fuel consumption, resulting in fewer emissions and lower environmental impact. It also helps manage electric bus fleets efficiently, ensuring that they are charged at the right time and locations to minimise energy costs and environmental impact. The dependency on fossil fuels can be reduced by implementing IoT to integrate renewable sources of energy (such as wind and solar energy) into bus depots.
While the integration of IoT in passenger buses offers numerous benefits, it comes with its own set of challenges as well. Data security and privacy concerns are among the biggest concerns in the industry along with the high initial costs of implementing these systems. These challenges are however gradually being addressed as the technology is advancing and becoming more affordable and cyber secure.
The future of IoT in road public transport looks promising with the rise of autonomous vehicles that will further fuel the need to deploy connectivity solutions in public transport vehicles, as the absence of drivers will make it crucial for these vehicles to be remotely monitored to ensure their proper functioning. One such example is the trial of autonomous buses along a 14-mile route across the Forth Road Bridge, just outside Scotland's capital city of Edinburgh, which is led by the organisation CAVForth (the CAV part stands for "connected autonomous vehicles"). CAVForth expects to reduce its fuel consumption by 20% as computer systems can achieve more efficient driving. The buses can communicate with traffic signals and accommodate upcoming red lights to adjust driving speed and travel more efficiently. The trial is expected to run until 2025 and carries 10,000 passengers each week. Many more driverless pilots are expected to be operational in Europe in the near future as the Horizon Europe ULTIMO project is set to deploy driverless buses in three additional European cities.
One impact of the rise of autonomous vehicles may not be so positive for the use of public transport. In the long term, it can be anticipated that some bus passengers will instead favour the use of an autonomous passenger vehicle as a more convenient mode of transportation. Ultimately the boundaries between the two forms of transport will blur, but this is unlikely to have a substantial impact over the period of our forecast.
Integrating IoT in passenger buses marks a major leap forward in public transportation, bringing enhancements in safety, efficiency, passenger convenience, and environmental sustainability. Real-time tracking and emergency alerts improve passenger safety, while efficiency measures optimise routes, reduce fuel consumption, and predict maintenance needs.
Besides, passenger experience is also enriched with Wi-Fi connectivity, real-time information displays, and mobile ticketing. Moreover, IoT plays a role in sustainability by lowering emissions and effectively managing electric bus fleets. Despite challenges such as data security and privacy, the future of IoT in passenger buses appears promising, particularly with the advancement of autonomous vehicles driving additional connectivity advancements.
