Smart Thinking for Smart Transportation
Swati Sanyal Tarafdar - Smart cities need rational thinking and intelligent transportation
In 2014, the urban population accounted for 54% of the total global population, says the United Nations database. This figure is predicted to reach upto 70% in 2050. The UN also finds that the urban population growth, in absolute numbers, is concentrated in less developed regions of the world. It is estimated that by 2017, even in less developed countries, a majority of people will be living in urban areas. For India, the prediction for 2030 says, this will be half of the total population.
While urban and environmental planners across the globe work towards solutions to cater to the ever increasing global urban population, the transportation planners already have a job that had to be done by yesterday. Clogging city roads and highways are becoming common international phenomena and the focus is towards integration of available modalities to formulate a trip – be it from your home to work or to the neighboring town.

In 2014, the urban population accounted for 54% of the total global population, says the United Nations database. This figure is predicted to reach upto 70% in 2050. The UN also finds that the urban population growth, in absolute numbers, is concentrated in less developed regions of the world. It is estimated that by 2017, even in less developed countries, a majority of people will be living in urban areas. For India, the prediction for 2030 says, this will be half of the total population.
While urban and environmental planners across the globe work towards solutions to cater to the ever increasing global urban population, the transportation planners already have a job that had to be done by yesterday. Clogging city roads and highways are becoming common international phenomena and the focus is towards integration of available modalities to formulate a trip – be it from your home to work or to the neighboring town.
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NBM&CW August 2016