The social construction of a smart mobility system: mapping controversies in the case of SwissPass

Abstract

The prevalent idea of smart cities presupposes the use of digital technologies for an alleged more efficient management of urban dynamics and systems. There is a scientific need to know more about such processes in the social sciences. Among the various sectors of urban management, mobility is one of the most sensitive to technological changes. The aim of this article is to historically deconstruct the SwissPass project and to understand its sociotechnical nuances through the identification of social groups and interests, as well as through the mapping of controversies involved in the implementation of this smart mobility system in Switzerland. The results indicate power disputes, dominance of the process by large, state-run transport companies, and dissipation of the controversies by persuasion strategies focusing on its alleged innovative role.