Let’s face it: nobody enjoys their commute.
But as cities continue to grow and the pressure on roads intensifies, congestion, emissions, and outdated infrastructure are making commuting even more frustrating. And to make matters worse, traditional fixes to urban transport hurdles like more roads and parking only extenuate the issue.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Enter the Connected Commute.
Enabled by a powerful convergence of digital technologies, the Connected Commute reimagines how people move through urban environments. From vehicles that talk to the road and other cars, to AI-driven traffic signals and real-time journey planning apps, we’re on the cusp of an intelligent, responsive, and data-driven transport revolution.
At the heart of this transformation are four key pillars: V2X communication, smart infrastructure, the interplay of cloud-native and edge computing, and the digital service providers that connect it all.
For city planners, business leaders, and policy makers, the message is clear: the next leap in urban mobility will be digital, decentralised, and collaborative.
Connected Vehicles and the Rise of V2X Communication
At the heart of the Connected Commute is V2X (vehicle-to-everything) communication.
The term encompassing wireless data exchanges between vehicles and their surrounding environment, including other vehicles, infrastructure, pedestrians, and networks. This includes:
- Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V): Cars warn each other of sudden braking, slippery roads, or lane changes.
- Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I): Vehicles receive live updates from traffic signals, smart signage, or car parks.
- Vehicle-to-Pedestrian (V2P): Cars interact with smartphones or wearables carried by cyclists and pedestrians.
- Vehicle-to-Network (V2N): Vehicles connect to the cloud for traffic updates, software patches, or remote diagnostics.
Here in the UK, we’re already actively trialling this connected vehicle technology through government and industry partnerships, with initiatives like Midlands Future Mobility pioneering the space. Testbed across the West Midlands, the program has established an extensive 200+ mile network of instrumented roads, trialling everything from connected traffic lights to real-time lane merge alerts.
Looking further afield, projects like the Ann Arbor pilot in the US (with 2,800 V2X-equipped vehicles) and Toyota's DSRC-based deployments in Japan have been proving the technology is technically ready and compatible across manufacturers since as early as 2016.
From collision prevention and reduced traffic congestion to faster emergency response and lower emissions through smoother vehicle flow, the benefits of connected vehicle technology speak for themselves. V2X can even enable Green Light Optimal Speed Advisory (GLOSA), guiding drivers to time their journeys with green lights, reducing idling and stop-start driving.
But it’s not all plain sailing.
V2X only delivers results at scale, when a critical mass of vehicles and infrastructure are equipped. This means that communication reliability is critical, especially for safety-related alerts, where the slightest split second of latency could make the difference in preventing a crash. Cybersecurity, too, is paramount—without robust authentication and encryption, V2X systems could be vulnerable to spoofing or interference.
The good news is that standards are evolving, with Europe favouring a hybrid approach that uses ITS-G5 (Wi-Fi-based) and cellular V2X (C-V2X). But consistency across regions is still a work in progress, creating complexities in ensuring cross-border compatibility that must be addressed with a strategic alignment of communication protocols.
Smart Infrastructure: Cities That Talk to Vehicles
Connected vehicles require equally connected environments. But what does this smart infrastructure actually look like?
When we talk about smart infrastructure, we’re referring to digitally enhanced physical systems. Think traffic signals, signs, and sensors that can communicate with vehicles and traffic management systems in real time.
Across the UK, local authorities are already upgrading critical infrastructure in accordance, with the Department for Transport (DfT) and Innovate UK funding multiple projects like Smart Junctions. VivaCity Labs, for example, has piloted AI-powered traffic signals capable of detecting cyclists and adjusting signal phases dynamically to improve their safety. Elsewhere, Transport for London (TfL) has tested machine-learning systems for predictive congestion management, and National Highways continues to expand smart motorway capabilities.
A particular standout example is the A2/M2 Connected Corridor project, where roadside units broadcast hazard and speed information to equipped vehicles. These trials lay the foundation for full-scale V2I deployment, enabling smoother traffic flow, faster incident response, and dynamic routing.
The environmental advantages of these initiatives can be substantial. Reduced idling at smart junctions leads to measurable decreases in CO₂ and NOx emissions, while an AI traffic light pilot in Pittsburgh reduced travel time by 25% and vehicle emissions by over 20%.
This spells good news for the future of urban transport infrastructure. As more towns adopt systems that can adjust signal timings based on pollution levels, weather, and pedestrian presence, the potential for healthier and more efficient cities becomes a real possibility.
The Cloud and the Edge: Transport’s New Digital Nervous System
Data has reinvigorated industries worldwide, and urban mobility is no different. But that data needs to be hosted and processed somewhere, which is where cloud-native and edge computing comes into play.
Cloud computing handles heavy-duty processing tasks like aggregating citywide data, running predictive analytics, and powering AI for transport coordination, making it ideal for applications like Mobility-as-a-Service platforms, digital twins for traffic simulation, and unified journey planners.
Edge computing, by contrast, moves processing closer to where the data is generated. This is especially important for time-critical safety applications like pedestrian detection or emergency braking which require responses in just milliseconds. By using nearby devices such as roadside units, in-vehicle systems, or local 5G towers, edge computing enables fast, real-time decision-making without the delays of sending data to distant cloud servers.
The AutoAir 5G project at Millbrook Proving Ground, for example, showcased this synergy. Connected vehicles received instant hazard warnings processed by local edge servers, proving that latency can be cut to life-saving levels.
Increasingly, cities are deploying predictive analytics tools that blend cloud and edge, like TfL’s adaptive control systems that optimise signal timing based on forecasted traffic. With 5G rollouts enabling multi-access edge computing (MEC), these hybrid architectures are quickly becoming the norm.
The Emerging Ecosystem: The Critical Role of Digital Providers
It’s important to note that the transformation of transport is not solely about vehicles and hardware, but also the ecosystem of digital service providers that enable everything from route planning to policy enforcement.
The good news is that public-private collaboration is flourishing. Transport for London’s open data strategy catalysed over 600 transport apps like Citymapper and Google Maps to demonstrate how transparency and developer engagement can improve citizen experience and reduce operational burden.
Elsewhere, platforms like Akronite in the US or LoyalFree in UK towns show how gamification, digital loyalty, and hyper-local incentives can drive footfall and community engagement, speaking to the power of digital design in shaping movement and behaviour.
Perhaps the most ambitious of these efforts is Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS). The UK’s first MaaS trial, launched in the West Midlands in 2018, was a partnership between Transport for West Midlands and MaaS Global—the Finnish company behind the Whim app. Billed as the UK’s first MaaS app, it faced significant hurdles, including fragmented ticketing systems, low user uptake, and the complexity of coordinating between multiple transport operators. According to TfWM’s Head of Transport Innovation, the pilot "did not live up to expectations."
But important lessons were learned, leading to a new iteration in the works. And there is proof in the pudding—Helsinki’s long-running Whim app recorded 1.8 million journeys in its first year, demonstrating that demand exists when the service is well-integrated, convenient, and supported by effective marketing.
This proves that MaaS remains a promising, but still maturing, approach to transforming urban mobility. The challenge lies in aligning stakeholders, enabling seamless ticketing, and securing the policy and commercial frameworks needed to support scale.
That being said, policy is starting to catch up. The UK’s Future of Mobility: Urban Strategy lays out a flexible framework that supports sandboxes, pilot programs, and digital-first thinking. New regulations under the Transport Bill will also address everything from autonomous vehicle trials to national ticketing standards, while data-sharing frameworks, GDPR alignment, and cybersecurity protocols are increasingly shaping this space.
Future Outlook: Towards a Seamless, Sustainable Commute
Hop in our DeLorean and fast-forward to 2030.
Your daily journey begins with a smart mobility app that seamlessly integrates e-bikes, light rail, and real-time traffic data. As you travel, traffic lights adapt dynamically, your vehicle communicates with roadside sensors, and your route updates continuously in response to congestion and air quality levels. In this future, the commuter, not the car, is at the centre of the experience—personalised, efficient, and environmentally responsible.
While this vision for a connected commute may seem distant compared to today’s often slow and stressful alternative, it is well within reach. Realising it, however, requires strategic investment and cross-sector coordination.
Cities must prioritise:
- V2X-compatible infrastructure and edge computing to enable real-time responsiveness
- Open cloud systems for data sharing and integration
- Human-centric mobility platforms that prioritise accessibility, inclusion, and user trust
Just as important is ensuring that new technologies complement active travel modes and public transport rather than competing with it. Shared mobility services, supported by gamified engagement and behavioural encouragement, can push citizens towards greener, more sustainable habits.
The UK is well positioned to lead this transformation. Its mix of forward-thinking policy, collaborative innovation testbeds, and a robust tech ecosystem offers a strong foundation. Sunderland, for example, is already demonstrating what’s possible through its smart city programme. With the city deploying 5G infrastructure, connected street furniture, and integrated transport services, becoming a live testbed for V2X communications, autonomous shuttles, and real-time mobility dashboards. It’s a powerful model for how cities can build future-ready, connected transport ecosystems, regardless of size.
This shows that urban mobility is undergoing a digital transformation that touches every street, mode, and commuter. And that’s an exciting prospect. Through V2X, smart infrastructure, cloud-edge computing, and digital services, we are creating transport networks that are not only more efficient, but safer, cleaner, and more responsive. And vitally, this is no longer a theory—it’s happening now across testbeds like the Midlands Future Mobility corridor and through platforms built with open data and public-private collaboration.
The Connected Commute isn’t just a tech upgrade, but a reimagination of urban life itself. For cities ready to embrace this moment, the opportunity to create a future where transport works in harmony with the people and places it serves is huge—so it’s time to start acting on it.