Evaluating smart mobility development in a metropolitan city : a case study of public transport systems in Hong Kong

Abstract

Smart Mobility is a core element of a Smart City. It aims at improving the experience of passengers by enhancing the efficiency of mobility systems with data and technology. Smart City and Smart Mobility can be evaluated by different frameworks, but there is not any evaluation framework that only focuses on public transport systems. In this research study, a consolidated framework is adopted to evaluate the “smartness” of public transport systems in metropolitan cities, e.g. Hong Kong, Singapore, and London. The framework is consolidated from different consultancy reports and academic researches, and only focuses on public transport systems. It consists of 6 major elements and stakeholders of public transport system. Hong Kong, Singapore, and London are evaluated by the framework and the results are compared, in order to see whether the Smart Mobility development in Hong Kong is lagging behind the other cities in the world. It is obvious that Smart Mobility development of the public transport system in Hong Kong is not as progressive as that in Singapore and London. Finally, some best practices from other cities and suggestions are discussed to make the public transport systems in Hong Kong “smarter”.