"Alternative" transportation systems: telematics solutions? A historical overview and present/future solutions for dependable and competitive environments

Transportation of people as well as goods and information, has always been a basic need for mankind, for individuals, as well as for economics. Those who better managed transportation had a clear advantage over others, and early civilisations were based on this principle. Transportation is always associated with hazards and implied risks, although public risk perception is different depending on the type of transportation (relatively high risk is accepted for individual car traffic or human activities, but not for other means of transportation and technical equipment). There are three ways to reduce risk associated with transportation (including environmental risks): reduction by technical means (dependable systems); optimisation by logistics and/or use of more "sustainable " technologies; avoid physical transportation (telematics "alternatives"). A few ideas and solutions are presented.