My morning commute usually takes about an hour, on a good day, and it’s only 25 miles from home to office. As I was sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic — yet again — I began to think of the global nature of this problem and how much time and money is being wasted. According to the most recent Urban Mobility Report, traffic congestion causes U.S. citizens to spend an additional 5.5 billion hours in transit and expend an extra 2.9 billion gallons of fuel. This equates to a staggering cost of $121 billion.

In addition to the monetary toll of traffic congestion, there are also the pressing concerns of safety and the effect on our environment. In its Global Status Report on Road Safety (2013), the World Health Organization emphasized that worldwide more than a million people die each year in road traffic incidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for age 4 and every age 11 through 27, in the U.S. alone. Transportation creates nearly one-third of greenhouse gas emissions according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

At the same time, major global trends are driving the need for significant changes in transportation around the world: Read More »

Tags: connected roadways, Internet of Everything, internet of things, IoE, IoT, Last Traffic Jam, Transportation

The transportation industry is on the cusp of a total revolution with the Internet of Everything pushing our innovation. Cisco estimates that the coming together of people, process, data and things in Internet of Everything (IoE) world creates unprecedented opportunity. Specifically, over $19 trillion in value at stake will be up for grabs by public and private sector organizations and our industry is certainly capturing its share of that opportunity. Through the use of networked sensors and real-time data reports, agencies like ours across the world have used connected transportation to keep commuters moving by setting new standards for millions of miles worth of roadways. Read the ASFINAG case study. Read More »

Tags: Cisco, Connected Roadways Solutions, Internet of Everything, internet of things, IoE, IoT, Transportation

Traffic jams aren’t just stressful—they’re expensive. A recent study by the Centre for Economics and Business Research revealed that in 2013 traffic jams cost the U.S. $124 billion. By 2030, they estimate the annual price of traffic in the U.S. and Europe will soar to $293 billion.

Can we turn this around? I think so. The Last Traffic Jam can happen through the Internet of Everything (IoE) and the increased value that comes from connections between people, process, data, and things. It’s in this highly connected world where we’ll see amazing things happen—including the Last Traffic Jam. Read More »

Tags: connected cars, Internet of Everything, internet of things, IoE, IoT, Joseph Bradley, Last Traffic Jam, Smart Connected Cities, Transportation

Connecting Dark Assets: An ongoing series on how the Internet of Everything is transforming the ways in which we live, work, play, and learn.

The Internet of Everything (IoE) is all about connecting people, process, data, and things in innovative ways. And if you think that’s just a nice vision for the future, look no further than the Hong Kong subway system — preferably after midnight.

That is when the last train rolls off the tracks and an army of about 10,000 maintenance people spring into action Read More »

Tags: ai, artificial intelligence, Cisco, Hong Kong, Internet of Everything, IoE, Joseph Bradley, Transportation

As they speed through the clouds, most air travelers are comfortable knowing that their pilot is not actually bothering to fly the plane. On the open highway, however, it may be harder to accept truck drivers who take their hands off the wheel to text, watch movies, or gaze at the scenery as it rolls lazily by.

Yet self-driving trucks could become a common sight in coming years. One company at the forefront of this technology is Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz brand. Recently, the company demonstrated its “Future Truck 2025” concept, with a modified vehicle that cruised down the autobahn at a top speed of 53 MPH. The driver was able to switch at will between manual control and the automated Highway Pilot system,.

I see the Highway Pilot as an exciting example of how the Internet of Everything (IoE) connects the unconnected. Using a convergence of innovations that leverage Wi-Fi, data analytics, radar, GPS, and stereo video sensors, Highway Pilot steers the truck, senses other vehicles, and maintains the most efficient speed and route.  IN the process, it enables a whole new technology platform and business model. After all, many countries face a shortage of truck drivers; and fuel consumption issues and safety concerns persist — especially on long, grueling hauls.

I see the self-driving truck Read More »

Tags: Big Data, Cisco Consulting Services, employee productivity, innovation, Internet of Everything, internet of things, IoE, IoE Value Index, IoT, Joseph Bradley, self-driving cars, Transportation