Implementation of New Technologies for Automation and Increasing Public Transport Safety in Tirana: Economic Impact and Cost Analysis

Abstract

This paper analyzes the implementation of automation and safety-enhancing technologies in Tirana’s public transport system using official statistical data. The study evaluates economic impacts, cost structures, safety benefits, and policy implications.
Urban mobility in Tirana is increasingly challenged by high motorization rates, congestion, and persistent road safety risks. This study examines the potential of new technologies for automation and safety enhancement in Tirana’s public transport system, focusing on their economic impact and cost-effectiveness. Using official statistical data from INSTAT, municipal transport reports, and survey-based mobility studies, the paper analyzes current transport usage patterns, accident trends, and infrastructure constraints. The findings show that Tirana concentrates approximately one-third of Albania’s registered vehicles, with car ownership reaching 500–550 vehicles per 1,000 inhabitants, while only around 22% of residents regularly use public buses. International empirical evidence demonstrates that Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), real-time fleet management, and automated safety technologies can reduce operational costs by 10–20% and accident-related costs by up to 40%.
Applied to Tirana, these technologies could significantly improve service reliability, reduce congestion-related economic losses, and enhance passenger safety. Although initial investment costs are substantial, long-term savings and social benefits suggest that a phased implementation strategy supported by EU funding mechanisms and regulatory reform would yield a positive return on investment within a medium-term time.