Monorail Technology in the Digital Economy

1. The Monorail Technology

A monorail is a rail-based transport system that is based on a single-rail i.e. the monorail vehicle runs and is supported and guided solely by a single rail. It is usually elevated, electric-powered and can either be manned or unmanned. Due to its small footprint and grade-separated system, it is suitable for urban environment where space is limited and disruption to the existing transportation infrastructure needs to be minimized. It is said to be cheaper to build compared to alternative elevated rail systems and is also said to be more aesthetically pleasing.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) under the administration of Pres. Aquino has identified building an unmanned, electric-powered monorail system, initially in the University of the Philippines and later in the Metro Manila, as one of its priority projects.

2. Appropriate Foresight Techniques

If ask to recommend foresight techniques to assess and plan the monorail project, I would recommend scenario planning and technology roadmapping. Developing and introducing a transportation system technology in a highly urbanized community such as Metro Manila requires thorough and long-term planning and carries with it various complex issues that need to be systematically studied and analyzed. Together, scenario planning and technology roadmapping will aid DOST in accomplishing this.

In particular, scenario planning will enable DOST to identify key variables, critical uncertainties and driving forces that are paramount to the success or failure of the project, not only technologically but also in other socio-economic dimensions. It will allow DOST to assess and prepare for alternative scenarios and take the necessary actions to drive the situation as it unfolds as close to the ideal scenario as possible. It will also aid DOST in anticipating the impact of the project on the community and the impact of the community (i.e. the external environment) on the project in a more holistic manner.

On the other hand, technology roadmapping will help DOST identify key technological requirements (i.e. specific functional capabilities and performance) that need to be meet in order for the project to succeed. As such, it will enable DOST to plan the development of a series of specific technologies during specific times such that the identified requirements are meet as they materialized along the way. Furthermore, with technology roadmapping, DOST can extend its vision beyond the implementation of a monorail system and identify other related technologies that need to be developed to complement the monorail technology and push technological development further.

3. Monorail’s Relation to the Digital Economy

An unmanned monorail system, by virtue of its being controlled by a network of computers and by Brian Arthur’s definition (of the digital economy), is already a part of the digital economy. But that is just the tip of the iceberg. Other aspects of the monorail system can make it even more integrated into the digital economy. For instance, imagine if the network of computers controlling the monorail system is connected to an even larger network of computers (e.g. the internet). If that where the case, it would open up a lot more opportunities for technology-driven products and services. A passenger that intends to ride the monorail can know in real time where the monorail vehicle currently is and when it is expected to arrive at the station. The passenger can then use mobile commerce technology in his or her mobile phone to acquire and pay his or her virtual or electronic ticket without the inconvenience of having to wait in long, endless queues. While in transit, a passenger can be made aware of interesting sites such as restaurant’s, shopping malls, retail stores and tourist attractions surrounding the passenger’s current location. With the aid of social networking, targeted information based on the passenger’s preferences can be sent to an application running on his mobile phone or even to an electronic display within the monorail itself (while the passenger is blissfully unaware of all the complex operations simultaneous going on behind the scene - in the digital economy). With seamless integration, the possibilities are endless.

4. Strategic Transformations

As hinted in the previous section, integrating the monorail system with the digital economy opens up a host of opportunities that when exploited will enable us to maximize the benefits we can derived from the technology. To do so, however, requires strategic transformation on how we currently do things – in particular, how we conduct technology planning. To recognize existing opportunities, create new ones and anticipate emerging and future needs, it is necessary to do strategic technology planning systematically.

It also goes without saying that these opportunities come with risks (i.e. security risks, privacy risks, etc.) which makes strategic technology planning all the more critical to our growth and success as a nation.