Current and emerging trends on the applications of digital technologies in public transportation - A bibliometric review

Digital technology can be defined as electronic tools, systems, devices, and resources which generate and store data for teaching and learning. Digital technology was introduced to the transport industry in the form of innovations which use information technology systems, intelligent transport systems and computer modelling to improve aspects of supply chain in transport logistics and private and public transport. The study adopted a bibliometric review process of downloading digital technology, transport and public transport papers between 1990 to 2023 from Scopus and analysing the exported papers using VosViewer to create network maps based on keyword occurrences. The most occurring keywords on digital technology centred around Covid-19 and digital transformation. Globally, there has been an increase in research in the field of digital technology from the year 2010, peaking in 2021 and 2022. There are only six and three documents focused on digital technology in African transport and public transport respectively even though there is much advancement in digital technology in African public transport around bus rapid transit (BRT) systems, the Gautrain and minibus taxis. Digital technology methods adopted include online payments, mobile apps and customer services. Regular monitoring and user evaluations of digital technology public transport projects which have already been employed will give more understanding of African transport users' needs and require location and user specific solutions. The numerous benefits of digital technology applications within transport and public transport globally indicate that African research should analyse whether these applications are equally beneficial or need to be adapted in order to deal with complex issues of African cities.