In the past, our grandparents had trouble getting around. They used to drive fuel-guzzling cars, wait for buses that never came on time, or spend hours stuck in traffic. Things are changing rapidly now. We can now quickly check our phones to find the nearest scooter or the time of the next bus.
Old vs. New Ways of Commuting
In the past, transportation meant more pollution, long waits, and a lot of stress.
Getting stuck in traffic was part of the daily routine, and petrol cars filled the air with smoke. Buses often came late, and you just had to wait without knowing when.
How Tech Helps the Planet and Saves Time
New technologies in transport are not just cool—they also help reduce pollution. For example, smart traffic lights that adapt to the traffic flow can lower CO₂ emissions by around 40% (Santos et al., 2023). Less waiting in traffic = less pollution.
Electric cars are also doing their part.
EVs don’t pollute while moving, and they usually cut down gas emissions by about 30% compared to cars that use petrol (European Data Portal, 2023).
Even choosing eco-friendly routes on Google Maps helps. It saved over a million tons of CO₂ in one year—that’s like taking 250,000 cars off the streets (Calma, 2023). That’s huge!
Whim App: A One-Stop Mobility Solution
Helsinki introduced an app called Whim, providing unlimited access to public transportation and shared bikes through a simple monthly subscription. Surprisingly, 38% of Whim users stopped using their personal cars because the app made traveling so convenient and easy (Eno Center for Transportation, 2022).
Conclusion
Personally, I think smart mobility is a cool step forward. It brings together tech and green living. Not every city has it yet, but things are moving the right way. Less waiting, less pollution, and quicker trips? Sounds good to me!
How about you? Have you tried any apps or electric transport to make your day-to-day travel smoother or greener?
References
https://m2050.media/en/whim-user-experience-application-maas-ux-design
- Santos, O. et al. (2023). Applied System Innovation, 7(1).
- European Data Portal (2023). Smart Cities Evolution Report.
- Calma, J. (2023). The Verge, July 24.
- Eno Center for Transportation (2022). Helsinki Mobility Report.