Using mobility data to shape the future of cities

Join SmartCitiesWorld's Luke Antoniou as he welcomes Ralf-Peter Schäfer, VP of Product Management, Traffic and Travel Information at TomTom, to share insights from his two decades at in mobility. Listeners will hear about TomTom’s strategic pivots – from consumer electronics to B2B services, industry partnerships, and the bold step into open mapping consortia – all while maintaining the company’s core focus on navigation and innovation. The conversation delves into the central role that data now plays in the world of mobility, highlighting how real-time traffic information not only reveals congestion bottlenecks but also unlocks new ways for cities to analyse travel behaviour, promote social equity, and achieve environmental goals. Ralf-Peter explores the challenges cities face in making use of these data-driven insights – especially given the complexities of political will, policy cycles, and the balancing act between long-term strategy and short-term needs. The episode sheds light on how some cities have achieved lasting progress through steadfast commitment or decisive top-down strategies, using data as a foundation for change. Trust and collaboration emerge as crucial themes, with Ralf-Peter describing how public-private partnerships have evolved over time, the need to bridge the gap between government authorities, technology providers, and the public, and the innovative integration of urban infrastructure with digital navigation ecosystems. Looking ahead, the discussion turns to the transformational impact of AI and automation on mobility and urban life. Ralf-Peter offers perspectives on the opportunities and risks for cities as they embrace technologies like autonomous vehicles and real-time mapping. Ralf-Peter and TomTom will be participating at the ITS Australia Summit 19-21 November 2025 – stop by Stand 40 of the exhibition to see what they're up to. To find out more about Ralf-Peter's work with TomTom, take a look at his recent op-ed for SmartCitiesWorld.