The smart car and the city

Abstract

The problem of mobility inside the city is perhaps one of the main factors affecting the wellbeing of a society. With oil prices on the rise, combustion propelled vehicles inhabiting the city are endangering citizens, polluting the atmosphere, depleting natural resources and taking away valuable space for car infrastructure. This dissertation tracks the problem of mobility through history by analysing relevant literature review based on precedent case studies and urban mobility theories. It also focuses on current urban mobility research which integrates information technology with urban mobility to attain a safe, clean and sustainable method of transportation. This objective is met by analysing literature review which focuses on integrating IT with urban mobility as well as speaking to the engineers of the driverless car. Finally, this dissertation will apply the technology discovered in the previous chapters in a local context - the University of Malta campus - to visualise the benefits this IT and mobility integration might bring. This objective is met by analysing the urban characteristics of the University of Malta campus and by providing proposals using architectural software. This study will show that the Smart Car technology will not only free space inside the campus from the existing car-oriented infrastructure but it will also allow for a more flexible and sustainable transportation system which will give more control to the people over their resources.