Systematic Approach to Evaluate the State of Illinois’ Preparedness for Smart Mobility

Connected, automated, shared, and electric (CASE) technologies are shaping Mobility 4.0—a connected, digitized, multimodal, and autonomous system of systems that is challenging past and existing strategic transportation planning practices at state and local levels. A systematic approach is presented to aid transportation agencies in their planning needs to evaluate preparedness for smart mobility. Guided by a set of online surveys, interviews, and workshops conducted among different stakeholders, this paper identifies strengths and opportunities to leverage the state’s public, private, and academic sector resources to prepare agencies in realizing the potential opportunities of Mobility 4.0 technologies, while avoiding possible pitfalls in the process. Seven smart mobility pillars were identified and ranked through a balanced scorecard analysis in this study for Illinois—namely (in decreasing order of importance), alternative fuels, scaling intelligent transportation systems, connected and automated (CA) freight, farm automation, CA logistics, insurance, and urban mobility. Tactical focus areas were also identified for each pillar and prioritized with suggested leads and stakeholders to champion the CASE directives and opportunities. Near-term actions were also suggested that included establishing a central structure for Illinois’ CASE program, enriching the knowledge base and experience, preparing the transportation infrastructure, partnerships with external stakeholders, and expansion of laws, regulations, and policies that will help administer and grow CASE technology deployment and integration.