Integrating various modes of transportation into a single mobility service presents a user-centric approach to mobility. To achieve this, startups are building a range of mobility-as-a-service solutions. Customers use a sole payment channel instead of multiple ticketing and payment operations, allowing for convenience and efficient planning. MaaS also introduces new business models to operate different transport options, reduce congestion and remove capacity constraints. Among the multiple benefits that MaaS offers, easy route planning and simplified payments are the keys that make this an emerging mobility trend. [1]

Figure 1. Mobility-as-a-Service

Mobility-as-a-Service is shown in figure 1. “Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is the integration of various forms of transport services into a single mobility service accessible on demand.”

Recent years have witnessed the birth of several differing initiatives in the mobility field termed as MaaS. This diversity complicates the formulation of a sound definition of what MaaS is, what the service involves and what it does not. Definitions tend to focus on the service and not the modes, and sometimes bring in the term “integration”. Definitions of the “new” MaaS concept also include other significant elements, such as customers’ needs, personalised or tailored and comprehensive solutions, an interface, a mobility platform, integrated payment, a contract, a service offer, a business model, a service provider, etc.[2]

Advantages of MaaS:

In VR worlds, the users usually have additional devices (joysticks, etc.) for interacting with virtual objects. Since we are talking about mobile applications, VR is not that popular and used due to the nature of the device (doesn’t have a lot of power, and additional controllers).

Augmented Reality:

There are numerous benefits to be gained by shifting our transport infrastructure towards a Mobility as a Service model.

• Higher vehicle utilisation
• Opportunity to recover asset costs
• Focus on public transport infrastructure
• Decrease cost per user

benefit from MaaS

• Reduced risk for fleets
• Increase the utilisation of fleet assets
• Transport alternatives [3]

By the middle of the century, the UN estimates that 66% of us will be living in urban areas, up from just 30% in 1970. With such a radical change taking place regarding the world population’s living habits, fundamental changes are also needed in the way we live and get around in bigger, denser urban areas, and these changes will certainly involve MaaS.[4]

References:

1. https://www.startus-insights.com/innovators-guide/top-10-mobility-industry-trends-innovations-in-2021/#mobility-as-a-service
2. https://medium.com/@transitprotocol/what-is-mobility-as-a-service-672259066c87
3. https://smartrak.com/maas-the-future-of-transportation/
4. https://www.geotab.com/blog/what-is-mobility-as-a-service/

Cite this article:

Gokula Nandhini K (2023), Mobility-as-a-Service, AnaTechMaz, pp. 110