Enabling Sustainable Urban Mobility: The Role of 5G Communication in the Mobilities for EU Project
Shangqing Wang, Christopher Lehmann, Rico Radeke, Frank H. P. Fitzek
TL;DR
The paper investigates how 5G communication enables sustainable urban mobility within the Mobilities for EU project, focusing on Dresden as the Lead City and the Ostra District. It adopts a CIVITAS-based evaluation framework to assess 5G-enabled pilots, with a detailed V2G case that leverages private 5G networks and edge processing for real-time energy management. Key contributions include mapping pilots to 5G use cases (eMBB, mMTC, uRLLC), articulating an integrated private 5G architecture, and developing a KPI-driven sustainability assessment framework aligned with the European Green Deal. The findings demonstrate 5G’s critical role in enabling interdependent mobility, energy, and data-management solutions, offering a blueprint for scalable, sustainable smart city deployments while acknowledging challenges in KPI quantification and equitable access.
Abstract
This paper examines the role of 5G communication in the Mobilities for EU project, a collaborative initiative involving 29 partners and 11 pilots aimed at revolutionizing urban mobility through electrification, automation, and connectivity. Focusing on Dresden as a Lead City, we explore the integration of 27 innovative solutions, including autonomous freight transport, eBuses, and charging robots, using a 5G communication network as the central framework. We analyze how 5G enables seamless connectivity and real-time data processing across diverse technologies, fostering interdependencies and synergies. This approach not only provides a cohesive understanding of the project's scope but also demonstrates 5G's critical role in smart city infrastructure. We evaluate the anticipated impact on sustainability metrics such as air quality, noise levels, CO2 emissions, and traffic congestion. The paper concludes by discussing challenges and strategies in leveraging 5G for comprehensive urban mobility solutions and its potential impact on future smart city developments.