Welcome to our updated Weekly Wrap! In this blog series, we will be unpacking the latest news in the smart mobility industry in a little but more detail. Each week we will focus on new topics and cover the news stories and research that has caught out attention. This week we’re focusing on the US automotive industry and smart city technology...  

US roads are in crisis, the automotive industry is experiencing a growing recall problem, and the concept of smart cities is fast becoming a reality. Join us as we unpack these stories and dive into how Wejo’s Smart Mobility For Good™ solutions can help to solve these growing issues.

Traffic Technology Today: Over 43,000 people died on US roads last year

More than 43,000 citizens were killed on US roads in 2021 – a truly staggering statistic. While reducing this figure won’t happen overnight, there are steps we can take to make roads safer for drivers and pedestrians. Speed enforcement, tougher penalties, driver ID, anti-drunk driving technology, eliminating the use of mobile phones, and improving the quality of our roads are all suggestions by concerned citizens. Each one is discussed at length in this insightful piece from Traffic Technology Today.

How smart mobility promotes road safety

Smart mobility insights empower transportation departments to improve roadways and maximize road safety. With the help of data-driven insights, urban planning teams can effectively monitor issues such as high periods of congestion, harsh braking and traffic speeds – combining this information with safety data to better understand crash statistics. In 2021, Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) employed Wejo’s connected vehicle data to tackle the problem of public safety roads within the Permian Basin. Today, TTI provides the Texas Department of Transportation with data-driven recommendations that foster accessibility, mobility and public safety.  

Learn how connected vehicle data enables road safety.

‍USA Today: Ford, Hyundai, and Subaru recall almost 400,000 vehicles

Over 391,000 vehicles by automakers including Ford, Hyundai and Subaru were recently recalled due to various defects – as reported to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last week, USA Today writes. Among those recalled are 382,000 Ford Explorers and Lincoln SUVs, 800 Ford Broncos, 326 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Plug-in cars and 4,600 Subaru WRX vehicles. The recalls were due to a camera issue, braking system malfunction, fuel tank leak, and incorrect instruction manuals, respectively. For more details on auto recalls, drivers are advised to search the NHTSA database.

Future-proofing cars and fleets with remote vehicle diagnostics  

When a manufacturing issue means a vehicle isn’t road worthy, it isn’t just an inconvenience – it’s expensive too. So what if you could stay one step ahead of vehicle maintenance, saving valuable time and money in the process? With Wejo’s connected vehicle data, you can. Our smart mobility technology handles every aspect of the automotive, repair and maintenance system, allowing professionals at every stage of the supply chain to diagnose issues at an early stage and take action. Drivers can also receive guidance on diagnostic measures to enable self-resolution.

Discover the future of vehicle diagnostics.

Digital Journal: Global smart cities market expected to drive growth through to 2030

The global smart cities market is predicted to reach a value of $2,276.03 billion by 2023 – and grow at a CAGR of 28.7% during the forecast period of 2018-2023. Smart cities refer to technologically modern urban areas that employ information technology to improve operational efficiency and collect specific data. Growing urban population and commitment to more sustainable development are both factors driving the demand for smart cities. However, the necessity of providing substantive ROI to support a smart city transition poses a significant barrier to the smart city future – a challenge explored by Quadintel in their in-depth analysis of the market.  

Discover City Possible™ – powered by Wejo and Mastercard

As part of Mastercard’s City Possible™ network, Wejo is equipping city planners with invaluable insights to support their projects. City Possible™ is a model designed to further urban innovation – uniting cities, businesses, academics and communities in their mission to make cities more livable, sustainable and economically viable. Backed by Wejo’s data findings, governments and local transport teams can make better decisions and come up with innovative solutions to long-standing problems. It’s all from one place too – Wejo Studio is a single platform consolidating unique journey data from millions of vehicles.  

Learn more about Mastercard’s City Possible™.

Discourse on Development: The rise of smart cities in urban development

When it comes to smart cities, the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) are all facilitating incredible transformations. IoT devices – including sensors and cameras – allow data to be collected and analyzed in real time, while big data analytics equip teams with the tools to sift through said data. AI has also proven successful in optimizing traffic management and public safety. Yet despite these benefits, rising costs, privacy and security, and unequal resource distribution threaten to prevent smart city adoption – as outlined by Discourse on Development. The next step for urban planners is overcoming these challenges to pave the way for a smarter future.

How big data can create smarter, more livable communities

Improving accessibility and quality of life for city residents is a top priority for urban planners. But with a lack of reliable insights into the way a city moves, plus strict adherence to budgets and net-zero commitments, planning teams are often stuck. Enter: smart mobility. By combining technology, infrastructure and transportation, Wejo allows city planners to see how a community moves in real time. With this information, they can make informed decisions that are rooted in reality – saving valuable time, money and resources.  

Discover how data is enabling more liveable communities.

Want to learn more?

For further insights into everything that’s going on in the mobility industry, check out our resource center.  

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As always, if you’ve come across a story that you think is worth sharing, or you want to give your input on what we’ve featured this week, send us a message.