The rapid digital evolution of mobility, increasingly autonomous and connected, is transforming the way we conceive transportation.
Italy, through initiatives such as the MOST National Center and advanced research projects, is positioning itself as a key player in this epoch-making transformation.

Everything stems from the growing convergence of autonomous driving, advanced connectivity, and intelligent infrastructures that communicate with each other and represent one of the most significant technological revolutions of our time. The implications are profound for road safety, environmental sustainability, and transport accessibility.

Safety, sustainability, and inclusivity are the three fundamental pillars on which the transport of tomorrow is being built—safer roads, cleaner air, and mobility accessible to all.
However, the management of the data driving this future still raises ethical and economic questions.

We are in the era of cooperative, connected, and automated mobility

Cooperative Connected and Automated Mobility (CCAM) is at the heart of the mobility transformation.
This technology allows vehicles to communicate with each other and with road infrastructure in real time, creating an integrated and intelligent transport ecosystem.

Through the CCAM approach, we go beyond the simple automation of vehicles: we create a cooperative network where every element of the system—vehicles, traffic lights, road signs, and traffic control centers—works together to optimize the entire mobility experience.

Thanks to advanced sensors and sophisticated management systems, intelligent infrastructures can monitor traffic, manage vehicle flows, and provide crucial information to drivers, significantly reducing accidents and congestion while optimizing the use of existing road resources.

The new road safety goal: eliminating human error

Statistics show that the human factor remains the leading cause of road accidents.
Reducing driver distraction and errors is therefore the main objective of autonomous driving, which aims to eliminate these risks by maintaining constant vigilance, unaffected by fatigue, distractions, or slowed reflexes.

The continuous monitoring of the surrounding environment ensured by autonomous driving systems can prevent collisions, adapt to traffic conditions, and respond promptly to potential hazards.
This immediate and precise response capability represents a qualitative leap in road safety, with the potential to save thousands of lives each year.

Environmental sustainability through greater efficiency and reduced emissions

In addition to improving safety, autonomous driving systems also increase energy efficiency, regardless of the engine type used.
Optimized routes and reduced time spent in traffic help to limit energy consumption and emissions.

The ability to facilitate smoother braking, reducing brake pad wear and particulate emissions, is another particularly innovative benefit.
Moreover, autonomous driving’s role in shared mobility and car-sharing services can significantly reduce the number of cars on the road, improving air quality in urban areas and having a social impact as well.

Finally, mobility for everyone

Autonomous car-sharing services, like those being piloted in some Italian cities, herald a future where car ownership may become secondary to access to mobility services.

Recent studies show that around 129 million European citizens live in areas poorly served by public transportation.
In the UK, one in four people with disabilities or older adults avoid using public transport due to accessibility issues.

Autonomous driving represents a concrete solution to bridge this gap, offering reliable and accessible transport options for those who struggle with daily travel.
The system could reduce dependence on traditional transport, create new opportunities for mobility in rural areas, and significantly improve the quality of life for millions of people.

What is happening in Italian research: the MOST National Center

Italy’s active commitment to research in this sector is represented by the MOST National Center for Sustainable Mobility, which—through collaboration with 24 universities, the CNR, and 24 major companies—aims to encourage and support the development of modern, sustainable, and inclusive solutions throughout the country.

In particular, through Spokes 6 and 7, MOST focuses respectively on:

• Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (Spoke 6) – led by the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, develops autonomous and connected driving systems with the goal of reducing road accidents and improving user safety. A crucial aspect is the training of personnel responsible for managing and maintaining the systems using technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality.
• Cooperative Connected and Automated Mobility and Intelligent Infrastructures (Spoke 7) – coordinated by the University of Naples Federico II, focuses on transforming the mobility sector through the adoption of advanced CCAM technologies and the creation of an advanced, safe, and efficient transport ecosystem.

Data management and usage: a challenge that cannot be ignored

In Italy, about 18 million vehicles—45% of the fleet—are already equipped with technologies that allow communication between the vehicle, manufacturers, and other entities.

These vehicles generate huge amounts of information on driving behaviors, user preferences, and mobility patterns.
This scenario invites drivers to become more aware of the potential of the technologies they use, often without even realizing it.

However, there is still no uniform regulation, even at the European level, clearly governing the ownership, privacy, and use of the data produced.
This gap represents a regulatory weakness that raises ethical and moral issues still awaiting adequate responses.

Another key challenge is integration between different technologies and standards.
Ensuring interoperability between vehicles from different manufacturers and infrastructures from various suppliers, on a European scale, requires a coordinated international approach that has yet to be fully defined.

Towards the new mobility paradigm

Autonomous and connected mobility is not just a technological evolution but a true revolution that will redefine our relationship with transportation and its possibilities.

The road towards the mobility of the future is already mapped out—and partly underway—and promises a system that is safer, more sustainable, and more accessible for everyone.

The success of this transformation will depend on the ability to address the technical, regulatory, and social challenges it entails, while collaboration between research institutions, industry, and policymakers will be essential to achieving a transition that maximizes the benefits for society as a whole.