Ben Foulser, Transport Partner at KPMG, talks to Grant Powell MBCS about his work in helping to create an efficient, secure and accessible transport industry.
As Transport Partner at KPMG, Ben Foulser leads a team that focuses on the future of mobility. Ben is responsible for three principal areas: sustainability & decarbonisation, digital & intelligent transport, and wider market changes and strategy.
KPMG works closely with government on policy advice and the research that sits behind this, and also with operators and infrastructure authorities such as Transport for London (TfL), National Highways, Network Rail, Great British Railways, and Transport Scotland. Ben has supported a number of flagship initiatives in the sector including helping to develop National Highways’ Digital Roads Strategyv, supporting TfL on the delivery of Oyster and contactless payments, and advising the Department for Transport on policy development and code of practice for the testing of connected and automated vehicles.
What are the biggest technological challenges facing the transport industry?
The transport industry has some very significant hurdles, with one of the main challenges being the outdated technology we’re still working with across all transport sectors. Many systems in place today are 15 to 20 years old and fast nearing the end of their life. These legacy systems are becoming unreliable, costly to maintain and no longer meet the needs of modern transport networks.
A key point of focus must now be the transition to next-generation efficient technologies that can be implemented in a standardised way. We spend a lot of time helping our clients to develop roadmaps for this transformation, and while the temptation is to rush to implement shiny new technologies like AI and edge computing, we need to work on establishing a robust, scalable and secure infrastructure first into which new technologies can be effectively delivered. We also need to understand where the gaps are, which systems to replace first and how to create a more resilient and efficient technology architecture.
What skills will those working in modern technology need? Where are the skills shortages?
As the transport sector shifts, there will be a need for many new skill sets. In the same way as we saw a shift when the industry moved from mainframe computing to server-based systems, we’re going to have a need for Cloud DevOps engineers, AI specialists and data scientists. At KPMG, we’re helping our clients identify the skills they currently have and the gaps they need to fill in order to develop a workforce that’s equipped for the future.
How can we ensure data privacy and security while utilising digital platforms?
Data is at the heart of the future of transport. Take TfL’s intelligent transport systems, for example. They’re integrating data from buses, traffic lights, pedestrian crossings and mobile phones to provide an overarching ‘common operational view’. While this allows transport authorities to better manage networks in real-time, it also raises concerns about data privacy. We need robust frameworks to protect users while still enabling this valuable data sharing. Clear policies should be put in place around data usage and encryption, with full transparency for users about what data is being collected, and why.
Does the increasing interconnectivity of systems raise new cybersecurity concerns?
In the past, transport systems were isolated, but now everything is connected — signalling systems, vehicles, infrastructure... this convergence creates many new vulnerabilities, and we need to take a unified approach to cybersecurity in relation to these connected systems. We are working with transport authorities on penetration testing and incident response. We also advise on how to protect both IT and operational technology (OT) as they become ever more intertwined. Geopolitical tensions and the potential for state-sponsored attacks mean that transport providers need to be vigilant, and we’re playing our part in helping them build robust future-proof cybersecurity strategies.
Looking to the future, how will advancements like electric vehicles (EVs) and autonomous transport change infrastructure and services?
EVs are already becoming a familiar part of the landscape. The biggest challenge now lies in improving and scaling the charging infrastructure to meet demand and integrating it into the broader energy system. We need to optimise charging stations and energy usage, so how we balance demand at charging points will be crucial. On the automation front, while we’re seeing more autonomous vehicles in specific sectors like logistics and mining, we’re not quite at the point of mass adoption for consumer vehicles. The bigger trend is connected vehicles.
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The increased connectivity of vehicles means that vast amounts of data can be shared to improve everything from road safety to traffic management. In terms of the physical infrastructure, we’re already seeing that technology can improve network management. For instance, digital signalling on railways and platooning of road vehicles has the potential to improve performance and increase capacity, which is crucial when you don’t want to keep building more roads or tracks. The key is using digital technologies to increase efficiency and resilience.
What are your thoughts on the future of mobility as a service (MaaS), and what needs to happen for it to succeed?
MaaS has a lot of potential, but it’s not without its challenges. The idea of seamlessly integrating different modes of transport into one platform has been around for a while, but there are still commercial hurdles. While we’ve seen MaaS schemes in cities like Bristol and Birmingham, they have struggled to become sustainable. There needs to be a clear business model, and there are many unanswered questions, such as ‘who pays for the integration and how do we ensure the platform remains profitable?’. Government initiatives in Europe, such as standardised ticketing systems, are moving things in the right direction, but MaaS still needs to prove its viability over the longer term. It will work best when transport authorities are in control of most modes of transport, but when private companies are involved, it becomes more complicated. It’s definitely a space with potential.
Finally, as transport becomes more automated and connected, how can we make sure it remains accessible and equitable for all communities?
Accessibility and inclusion are often overlooked when we think about transport innovation. When we design new systems or services, we need to design for everyone, not just for the majority, so user-centric design is key here. We also need to engage with people with disabilities and underserved communities to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are addressed. For instance, a few years ago, we worked with the charity the Motability Foundation to highlight the social and economic benefits of improving transport accessibility.
There’s a huge untapped market if we make transport more inclusive, and technology can play a big part in that — whether it’s making apps more accessible or designing electric vehicles that are wheelchair accessible. The future of transport is exciting, but we need to be thoughtful about how we design and implement changes. Accessibility, cybersecurity and efficient infrastructure are all crucial to making sure the benefits are felt by everyone.
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