The Future of Transportation is More Diverse Than Ever

Most of us at Proportion-Air have a more traditional commute–we drive to work, park our cars, and then return home. In McCordsville, Indiana, there aren’t many opportunities to see the future of transportation, even as it becomes more commercialized.

That doesn’t mean, though, that there aren’t big, sweeping changes to transportation happening right in front of us. Ride-sharing, self-driving cars, and electric vehicles are all making getting around easier than ever, and by choosing between the three, commuting is now more diverse.

Ride-Sharing

Perhaps the most apparent change to the future of transportation comes in the form of ride-sharing services like Lyft and Uber. By downloading a service’s app, you can mark your location, request a pickup, and be driven to your location for a fee. Think of it as a modern taxi service, one that is all digital and much easier.

Although these services are less likely to be used for commuting, they offer almost immediate access to transportation, without the need to retrieve or park a car. Their modernized systems allow for digital payments that don’t require a credit card swipe and their ever-growing driver base means that they can be near you in a moment’s notice.

A big benefit to both Uber and Lyft are their driver-driven experiences. Because drivers use their own vehicles to pick up customers, you’re likely to get nicer, cleaner experiences than taxis. And the services’ strict policies on customer satisfaction guarantee that you’re getting positive trips each time.

Self-Driving Cars

Sooner than you may think, you could be hopping into a car with no driver. At first, you might be a little confused–how are you supposed to get to your destination?–but then, you’ll realize that the car can still get you exactly where you need to go.

Cars that can drive themselves have been a consistent vision for the future of transportation in the past decades, and with advancements from some of the world’s biggest companies, we are almost there.

Take the Tesla Model S for example–the all-electric vehicle is outfitted with self-driving hardware that not only allows the driver to remove his or her hands from the wheel, but also increases the car’s safety. Through the use of millions of computer processes, cameras, and sensors, the Model S can steer itself, change lanes, navigate streets, and even drive itself to you.

While you can hop into the front seat of a Model S and experience self-driving cars now, Apple, Google, and other companies are looking to simply require you to relax in the back seat. These companies, through development of hardware and software, look to make transportation easier, safer, and inexpensive. If you’re interested in what a project like this may look like, take a look at Waymo, Google’s self-driving project:  Google’s Waymo

Electric Vehicles

Cars aren’t the only vehicles that can benefit from going electric; as batteries become stronger and last longer, more traditional transportation methods are getting a power boost.

In big cities, electric skateboards and bicycles are seeing noticeable growth as primary ways of commuting to work. These options offer portability and an enjoyment factor unmatched by cars, and in many cases can speed up the commute through the use of alleys, sidewalks, and more direct routes.

Some electric skateboards, for example, can reach speeds of over 20 miles an hour and go well over 15 miles on a single charge. And when the board is dead, simply plug it up, let it charge, and you can be on the way again.

the Future of Transportation by means of electric personal vehicles hasn’t quite reached its full potential, but as they creep into the mainstream, be on the lookout for people zooming by on their skateboards or bikes.

Conclusion

While you may not feel like your daily commute will change in the next couple of years, an altering of your routine may be closer than you think. But good news: the future of transportation offers more opportunities than ever to try new things, save money, and have a more enjoyable experience.