This is a million-dollar question. What is certain is that, over the past few years, sustainability has become one of the most relevant topics in many sectors. The increasing perishment of the planet has raised many questions about our future. Constant debates are in progress worldwide, and companies and people have committed to finding the best solution to achieve sustainability. Innovation and digital transformation appear to be significant strategies that involve disparate sectors and markets.

We are currently in the fourth wave of digitalization. The transportation industry has been using digital technology and methods for some time. However, the current digital era is radically transforming the way the industry supports the sustainable development of society, reverses the dramatic consequences of pollution, and helps the world thrive again.

Expectations of how the industry reacts to environmental challenges are quickly evolving, and this new era presents opportunities for both operators and travelers. Therefore, a conscious analysis of all current challenges may represent one of the keys to making public transport even more environmentally sustainable.

Can digitalization transform public transport into a more frequent travel choice and support emission reduction?

What makes public transport more appealing to passengers?

It is not only comfort. Nor is convenience the only expectation that leads customers to opt for a train or a bus, rather than driving their car. They also expect transportation services to be affordable and timely.

The consequences of technologies and new advanced integrated platforms will help the transportation industry move in parallel with the fourth wave of digitalization to meet the changing expectations of the modern commuter.

It appears that the border between transport operators and customers became much thinner than it used to be. Passengers can rely on onboard digital solutions to express preferences in real-time having a more direct and responsible impact on transport operators and their strategic sustainable development. It is not only a matter of data collection at the end of the journey but also a continuous and meticulous control over passengers’ feedback on sustainable solutions.

People believe that sustainability is one of the top priorities in improving our world, and digital transformation seems to be perceived as a key enabler.

Passengers’ expectations in 2050, according to the Statista Research Department, show that:

“96% of passengers stated that they expected that aircraft would need to be more environmentally sustainable in 2050”

Therefore, today the best way to improve services is to work more closely with passengers to fully understand what they need and expect in terms of digital solutions and services. And how these, in turn, drive cleaner and more sustainable transport solutions.

Opportunities to support the environment

The fourth wave of digitalization also referred to as the Internet of Things (IoT), is now contributing to improve the market and create new opportunities for the transportation industry aiming to increase efficiency, lower costs and facilitate accessibility.

IoT is a powerful foundation for enabling sustainable development. Thanks to a plethora of internet-connected devices, collecting data through advanced information technology is now much easier and more accurate.

The data comes from different sources and is typically collected in real time. This volume of data, also known as “Big Data,” can now drive real-time decision-making by transport operators and travelers. Eventually, the collected data will be highly relevant for the strategic planning of any transport provider, which is a crucial step toward the actual development of a more sustainable transport system.

For example, the China Urban Transport Database (CUTD) was developed in 2010 to pursue more sustainable urban transport through “Big Data” collection, analysis, and resulting improvements. China’s need to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution prompted the idea that public transport could represent the most promising way to face and solve these issues. Therefore, the China Urban Transport Database collects essential data to help China tailor sustainable solutions to user needs and expectations

The full potential of IoT goes beyond big data collection. It allows remote vehicle management, which helps prevent and resolve challenges in real-time. For instance, a sustainabl

As of today, we all have a role to play in supporting the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), a significant global initiative. The United Nations set these goals in 2015 to promote sustainability and protect the planet. Transportation is a key instrument in achieving the goals. It impacts a wide range of matters, such as health, pollution, energy, and economic growth.

The role played by these goals will have a fundamental meaning in achieving the implementation of all measures for sustainable transportation infrastructure with a CO2 emission reduction of 50% by 2050, as stated by the United Nations.

Looking at the statistics, it appears that the

“Railway energy efficiency has doubled since 1975. Electrification has expanded to cover one-third of the global network and powers almost 45% of all rail activity. Rail companies are choosing to invest directly in renewable energy, which now powers more than 20% of electric-powered trains”

- MOBILIZING for DEVELOPMENT Analysis and Policy Recommendations from the United Nations Secretary-General's High-Level Advisory Group on Sustainable Transport, available  online, p. 35

It is clear that technology significantly impacts all areas of sustainable development and can play an essential role in achieving the goals. New technologies can support sustainable solutions throughout several global angles:

Socially, advanced technology can guarantee better safety, public transport, and increasing affordability. It can make transport more accessible for people with disabilities or the elderly.
Environmentally, technology offers new and enhanced opportunities for a cleaner, more climate-friendly transport system, and less pollution.
Economically, an increase in the efficiency of transport technology results in economic growth through cost-cutting and waste-cutting.
At this stage, it is critical to work together. Investors and decision-makers are expected to create a coworking environment where technological innovations have space to develop and integrate into society strategically. This potential outcome must be drawn over a long-term plan nourished by a futuristic vision and sensitive emphasis on the present moment, where the need for actions around environmental sustainability is stronger than ever before.

We all aim for a better world. We all need significant changes in front of the dramatic degradation affecting our planet. In front of the evidence, mankind has finally developed a much deeper awareness, which is why digital transformation aims to efficiently drive the transportation industry to a new fully sustainable era.

“The answer to these problems is not less transport - it is a sustainable transport. We need more systems that are environmentally friendly, affordable and accessible”  

Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

External References:

Rusul Abduljabbar, Hussein Dia, Sohani Liyanage and Saeed Asadi Bagloee Department of Civil and Construction Engineering; Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia, 2019.
The Fourth Wave of Digitalization and Public Transport: Opportunities and Challenges Paul Davidsson, Banafsheh Hajinasab, Johan Holmgren, Åse Jevinger and Jan A. Persson Internet of Things and People Research Center, K2—The Swedish Knowledge Centre for Public Transport, Department of Computer Science, Malmö University, Malmö 20506, Sweden, 2016.
Mariah Venice Afable, Sustainable transport solutions - Mobilizing the world’s sustainability goals, Bold Business Magazine, January 2019.
Transportation Industry Matrix, United Nations and KPMG, 2016.
MOBILIZING for DEVELOPMENT Analysis and Policy Recommendations from the United Nations Secretary-General's High-Level Advisory Group on Sustainable Transport, available online
Sustainable Transport Data Collection and Application: China Urban Transport Database, Tian Jiang, Zhongyi Wu, Yu Song, Xianglong Liu, Haode Liu, and Haozhi Zhang, China Urban Sustainable Transport Research Center, China Academy of

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Elephants are part of the family Elephantidae within the order Proboscidea. Three extant species are recognized today: African bush, African forest, and Asian elephant.

The African bush elephant is the largest, known for its ears shaped like the African continent. Meanwhile, the African forest elephant, smaller and darker, lives in dense tropical forests.

On the other side of the globe, the Asian elephant is primarily found in the forests and grasslands of the Southeast Asian region. Three recognized subspecies exist: the Indian, Sumatran, and Sri Lankan elephants.

Additionally, recent studies add a fourth subspecies, the Bornean elephant. This population, residing in northern Borneo, sets itself apart by its smaller build yet larger ears, extended tail, and straight tusks. Genetic examinations reveal their diversion from their mainland counterparts about 300,000 years ago. 

According to a 2003 study, this elephant population from Borneo shares its DNA makeup with the elephants that once roamed the Sunda Islands1. The study further suggests a prolonged separation of the Borneo elephants from Southeast Asian elephant populations since the Pleistocene era.

In the following sections, learn where each of them lives and how to distinguish them from each other easily.

African Savanna Elephants are the largest terrestrial animals in the world. They are also known as the African bush elephant. Male elephants stand up to 13 feet tall and weigh up to 23,000 pounds. They have large ears and a versatile trunk; their skin is wrinkled and grey-brown. 

These giant herbivores consume almost 330 pounds of food daily throughout various environments across sub-Saharan Africa.

The oldest female in a herd usually leads the group, acting as the matriarch to ensure the safety and well-being of the herd. Moreover, these African elephants engage in practical, fun activities like mud-bathing, protecting themselves from the sun, and keeping parasites away.

African Forest Elephants live in the dense forests of West and Central Africa. While they live on the same continent, they are a separate species from the savanna elephant. They typically grow up to 9.8 feet tall and weigh up to 15,400 pounds. They also have round heads and straight tusks. 

It mostly eats leaves, tree bark, and a variety of fruits. These types of elephants are the most frugivorous among the elephant species. They defecate the seeds as they travel long distances, making them mega gardeners of the forest.

However, this smaller African Elephant faces rampant deforestation and relentless poaching driven by the global demand for ivory. Their slow reproduction rate makes their survival even more challenging.

Studying them is challenging for scientists since these elephants are shy and tend to gather in smaller family units. Moreover, their habitats are relatively inaccessible.

Asian Elephants inhabit various habitats ranging from India and Nepal to Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, and Malaysia. 

They are smaller than their African counterparts, standing at 9 feet and weighing 8,800 pounds on average. Their heads have two humps and small, rounded ears. 

Only male Asian elephants have long tusks, while females have small ones called tushes. However, some may never grow tusks, depending on their genetic makeup. These megaherbivores consume up to 330 pounds of vegetation daily, including grass, leaves, shoots, barks, fruits, nuts, and seeds.

The Sri Lankan elephant is the largest Asian elephant species. They can grow up to 11.5 feet tall and up to 12,100 pounds. They have a darker skin tone and unique patches of depigmentation on their ears, face, trunk, and belly. 

This elephant inhabits the dry zones of Sri Lanka and feeds on grasses, leaves, stems, and bark, consuming up to 150 kg of food daily. They are social animals whose herds typically consist of 12-20 individuals, led by the oldest female.

Elephants hold centuries-long significance in Sinhalese and Sri Lankan Tamil cultures, featuring prominently in heraldic symbols, coats of arms, and flags. Integral to religious processions, Buddhist and Hindu temples have often kept their own elephants, indicating a deep-rooted human-elephant co-existence.

Unfortunately, Sri Lankan elephants face threats from human encroachment2, land mines, and occasional ivory poaching. With high elephant mortality rates, an annual average of 370 deaths were recorded in recent years.