The Benefits of IoT in Transportation

The Internet of Things (IoT) is bringing multiple benefits and improvements in various sectors of the economy. Nowadays, majority of companies have switched to IoT and are willing to invest in it. According to a report in Gartner, more than 43% of the companies worldwide, have adopted IoT.

As per experts’ opinion, industrial IoT is leading the race in terms of growth and development. The transportation industry is the second largest industry investing in the Internet of Things. An effective transportation system will not just boost the productivity of business but can also increase its profitability. IoT applications can be used for personal as well as commercial vehicles and their function ranges from traffic control to parking sensors, fault detectors, fuel consumption, tire weight and lot more.

Let’s try and find out how IoT in transportation is beneficial for us:

• Safety: This is one of the most important factors in determining the efficiency of IoT. The ability of app to communicate with sensors will improve the safety of drivers, passengers and also people walking on the road. Smart sensors attached in the vehicle will alarm the driver about a suspicious object or a situation on the road which will help in preventing accidents. They can also provide information ranging from real-time updates about traffic to medical emergencies. Presently, the department of transportation in U.S. has made use of IoT mandatory for all vehicles.
• Vehicle health: Considering the speed at which the technology is developing, it will not be a surprise for us if we spot a driverless vehicle on the road in near future. In such a situation, tracking the vehicle becomes the primary responsibility. A vehicle is an integral part of the IoT technology system and if there is any problem or defect in the vehicle, sensors will immediately notify and alert the owner about the condition of the vehicle. In such a case, with the help of a sensor, the owner can also keep a check on the vehicle’s fuel level, brake condition and overall health. This will help in ensuring the safety of driver, the passengers and other vehicles on the road.
• Smart public transport: In urban areas, most people rely on public transport to commute on a daily basis. What if we find an interconnected public transport system in your city? It will definitely make our lives smooth and easy. If a GPS sensor is used in public transport system, we can easily track the real-time location of trains, buses, cars or taxis. This will surely reduce the travel time of passengers. With this, a passenger can manage his travel easily. 
• Fleet Management: Businesses use transport and logistics system to deliver products and services to their customers. Managing such a huge process, at times, becomes complex and difficult to handle. The use of IoT based technology in fleet management will surely help the businesses track vehicles carrying their goods and quickly fix issues if there are any. IoT sensors will also help drivers with real-time updates on weather conditions and traffic situations. IoT in fleet management will reduce problems and ensure proper operation of vehicles.