Mobility Matters Daily #126 - Crypto and innovation in Nigeria
Plus a really cool live map of weather and air pollution
Good day friend.
I’m like the rabbit in Alice in Wonderland today. So this intro is short. To the news.
James
Cryptocurrencies are coming to Miami
While there are plenty concerns about the regulation (or lack of it) of the likes of Bitcoin, more cities are exploring the use of cryptocurrencies as a means of funding services. Notably, Miami is launching MiamiCoin, with the intent of generating revenue through coin mining - the process by which coins are verified and added to a digital ledger.
With Elon Musk seemingly using DogeCoin as his personal plaything, the role of cryptocurrency as a means to pay for transport and to fund services seems more complicated and weirder than ever. But if you are looking at these currencies as part of your transport strategy work (and I recommend that you do), it is worthwhile spending time understanding where value in cryptocurrency is generated.
Transport innovation in response to COVID-19 looks different, but no less impactful, in Nigeria
The results of a survey for High Volume Transport in how the transport sector in Nigeria reacted to the COVID-19 pandemic contains some interesting findings, and perhaps some wider lessons learned. Particularly when it comes to the opportunities arising from the COVID-19 pandemic:
The response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria's road transport sector presents some development opportunities. These opportunities, in descending order, include developing a new business model, (20.4%), modernisation of the road transport system (18.6%), application of information technology (15%), revitalisation of road transport infrastructure (13.5%) and development of a sustainable work model (12.1%)
On the face of it, it seems very similar to elsewhere. But considering the scale of of the challenges in the country, it is a whole different issue entirely.
Visualisation of the day
A big thank you to Liz Davidson for sharing this. This is a fun visualisation of air pollution, air currents, waves, and how it all works together to affect concentrations of air pollution. Its global in its scale, and it shows the impact that we are having on our world brilliantly. Check it out.
Source: Earth
If you don’t do anything else today, do this
Consider applying for the CREDS Studentship on interdisciplinary energy research. They have done some amazing research on transport and climate change. So do some yourself!