The Duality of Technological Advancement in Transportation: An Ethical Imperative for a Balanced Approach
Emmanuel Mogaji - Keele Business School, Keele University, UK
Ana Cristina de Santana Inglês - Laboratório Urbano De Angola – LURA, Angola
Abstract
Technological innovations have revolutionized transportation, enhancing efficiency, convenience, and accessibility. Ride-hailing platforms, online ticketing systems, and autonomous vehicles represent significant strides in modern mobility. However, these advancements also present ethical, practical, and security challenges. This article explores the dual nature of technological progress in transportation, highlighting both its transformative potential and its darker sides, such as the exploitation of ride-hailing systems, cybersecurity threats, and ethical dilemmas related to autonomous vehicles. Taking advantage of the recent “Bolt war” between Nigerian and South African users on August 23rd 2024, this article argues for a balanced approach that maximizes benefits while mitigating risks, emphasizing the need for robust regulatory frameworks, corporate responsibility, and consumer awareness. By engaging stakeholders—including governments, technology companies, and consumers—in a coordinated effort, we can ensure that technological advancements in transportation lead to a future that is not only innovative and efficient but also secure, ethical, and inclusive for all.
Keywords: Technological Innovation; Transportation; Cybersecurity; Ethical Challenges; Regulation
CORRESPONDENCE TO Emmanuel Mogaji e.mogaji@keele.ac.uk
© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Transformative Transport Services Design Initiative (TRATSEDI). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited