System Optimization of Shared Mobility in Suburban Contexts

Shared mobility is a viable choice to improve the connectivity of lower-density neighbourhoods or suburbs that lack high-frequency public transportation services. In addition, its integration with new forms of powertrain and autonomous technologies can achieve more sustainable and efficient transportation. This study compares four shared-mobility technologies in suburban areas: the Internal Combustion Engine, Battery Electric, and two Autonomous Electric Vehicle scenarios, for various passenger capacities ranging from three to fifteen. The study aims to provide policymakers, transportation planners, and transit providers with insights into the potential costs and benefits as well as system configurations of shared mobility in a suburban context. A vehicle routing problem with time windows was applied using the J-Horizon software to optimize the costs of serving existing intra-community demand. The results indicate a similar fleet composition for Battery Electric and Autonomous Electric fleets. Furthermore, the resulting fleet for all four technologies is dominated by larger vehicle capacities. Due to the large share of driver cost in the total cost, the savings using a fleet of Autonomous Electric Vehicles are predicted to be 68% and 70%, respectively, compared to Internal Combustion and Battery Electric fleets.

Digital Technology Deployment in Multi-National Enterprises

After the longest period of continuous growth in its history, the automotive industry is experiencing a most dramatic downturn. The challenge for automobile companies is not just to cope with the three converging trends of vehicle electrification, autonomous driving, and shared mobility, but also to make the best judgement on how and where to invest in a declining market. Digital is becoming the de facto way of operating along the value chain. Advanced automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and additive manufacturing will reshape traditional processes. This chapter reports upon the implementation of new digital technologies and related critical success factors in two multi-national industries, with major interests in the automotive sector. It takes an empirical approach, analysing use cases, projects, and input from experts. The findings assess the repercussions for IT strategy and changes in business processes impacted by the use of new technologies and illustrate how people skill requirements have evolved, both within the IT organisation and in other company departments.