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Strengthening regional direction for the development of smart transport systems in Asia and the Pacific
Get PDFEffective and efficient transport is fundamental to society and the global economy, transforming the way people live, work, and connect. However, addressing the negative effects of increasing transport growth such as increased congestion, traffic accidents, greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and urban sprawl have proven to require collective actions beyond individual countries. As a response, smart transport systems have garnered substantial potential to alleviate some of these negative effects through a paradigm shift from traditional transport services towards the creation of a user-centric digitalized transport ecosystem. However, to fully benefit from smart transport systems for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement, the creation of a holistic policy direction at the Asia-Pacific region is crucial. In this sense, this policy brief has been prepared to highlight the necessity of a harmonized regional direction and strengthen efforts for greater development of smart transport systems across the region.
Traditionally, smart transport systems have been classified into Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS), Advanced Traveller Information Systems (ATIS), Advanced Public Transport Systems (APTS) and Commercial Vehicle Operations (CVO). However, because of the recent advancement of digital technologies, wireless communications and data processing, emerging technologies have been introduced which include Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs), Cooperative-ITS (C-ITS), smart mobility and Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS). Although there is no specific SDG related to transport, smart transport systems support all SDGs in they are integral to advancing large-scale regional and global sustainable transport. Accordingly, across the Asia-Pacific region, countries are proactively embracing smart transport systems including emerging technologies, which is reflected in the annual growth of market size by 17.8 per cent.
Deploying smart transport systems is not an option to achieve SDGs and the Paris Agreement, but rather a requirement because of the recent advancement of technologies such as automation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, 5G and Internet of Things (IoT). These advancements are unavoidable and critically influencing the trend of smart transport systems for more seamless and convenient services, and also reduce financial investment required for transport services. However, without a unified regional direction, these technologies might be introduced in smart transport systems in various ways which will hamper the successful and harmonious implementation of smart transport systems across the region.
While promoting a harmonized regional direction for smart transport systems has been driven by many positive benefits, it is not without challenges and limitations. These issues include i) environmental and safety threats from the transport sector, ii) awareness and understanding of smart transport systems, iii) the preparedness of a new mobility paradigm, iv) technical expertise and institutional capacity, v) political will and regulatory foundations, vi) harmonized and balanced policies, vii) cooperation and collaboration with stakeholders and the public sector, viii) fundamental transport infrastructure, ix) digital technology constraints, x) common technical standards, xi) connectivity and integration to develop intermodal and multimodal transport systems, xii) data protection and the use of Big Data, xiii) funding, and xiv) COVID-19 pandemic impact.
To address identified challenges and issues, possible regional direction can be formulated with strategies and policy plans while staying responsive to evolving technology trends. This regional direction was called for as a form of a road map in the ESCAP’s Regional Action Programme for Sustainable Transport Development (2022-2026) and aims for balanced and harmonized development of smart transport systems through regional cooperation among countries in Asia and the Pacific. Five strategies are presented from the aspects of connectivity, integration, inclusiveness, affordability, and resilience, considering the role of a cohesive regional direction for the wider development of smart transport systems. Under each strategy, policy plans aligned with achieving the SDGs and the Paris Agreement are proposed. These policy plans can serve as a basis of a harmonized regional direction for the wider development of smart transport systems while supporting the development of national policies and strategies. These policy plans are i) establish a dedicated cooperation mechanism for smart transport systems, ii) foster a dialogue with all stakeholders to forge international cooperation, iii) facilitate the integration of technical compatibility and interoperability with special attention to emerging technologies, iv) integrate road, maritime and rail transport, v) strengthen capacity building, training and raising awareness, vi) deepen institutional and regulatory foundations, vii) increased support for tailored policies for vulnerable groups and areas, viii) facilitate a creative funding initiative, ix) upscale analytical work with particular development of assessment tools, x) make more environmentally friendly and safer mobility services, xi) ensure data security and the use of Big Data in transport, and xii) be ready for unexpected disruption.
Recognizing the need for a unified regional direction, harmonized policies from the national to the regional level aim at promoting balanced approaches in connectivity, integration, inclusiveness, affordability, and resiliency, while emphasizing good governance. Further, implementing coordinated policies towards targeted regional direction requires proactive actions to maximize its influence for the wider development of smart transport systems and for the vision of sustainable transport across the Asia-Pacific region. In this regard, ESCAP can play a key role in supporting the development and implementation of a harmonized regional direction in consideration of its functions as an intergovernmental body. These roles will be enhancing technical expertise and capacity, fostering intergovernmental cooperation and collaboration, putting efforts towards home-grown measures to localize smart transport systems, and keeping current with evolving technical trends in smart transport systems and producing related knowledge products.
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The role of social protection to address climate change in the Maldives
Get PDFThe national social protection framework 2023 of the Maldives provides the necessary direction to being legislative, institutional and financing reforms for an effective and sustainable social protection system in the country. As the Maldives embarks on implementing this new social protection framework, it should focus on progressively building universal social protection systems, along the actions set out in the adopted Action Plan to Strengthen Regional Cooperation on Social Protection in Asia and the Pacific, where everyone has access to comprehensive social protection system, covering traditional and climate change related contingencies over the life cycle.7 And these systems must be based on key international social security principles such as the principle of solidarity, collective financing and risk pooling.</p
Voluntary national review brief : Cambodia
No full textLeave no one behind (LNOB) is the central, transformative promise of the2030 Agendafor Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals. This Vounltary National Review brief provides a snapshot on SDG progress in Cambodia. Between 2010 and 2022, significant progress has been recorded in access to basic drinking water, basic sanitation, cleans fuels, and electricity.</p
Worshop for Chief Innovation Officers : programme. UNECE Capacity Building Workshop for Chief Innovation Officers on Innovation for the Circular Economy
No full textProgramme. 70th session of the Economic Commission for Europe : Fostering Circular Solutions through Innovation
No full textSide event to the 70th session of the Economic Commission for Europe: Fostering circular solutions through innovatio
ESCAP Digital Solutions Center for Sustainable Development
No full textPresentation by Mr. Vitaliy Alexandrov, Deputy Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan at ESCAP, Embassy of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Thailan
Circular Economy Innovation: Advancing the SPECA Network of Business Incubators and Accelerators for Sustainable Development
No full textPresentation by Ms. Anastasia Pankova, Consultant, IPDS, ECTD, UNECE
