The term sustainable mobility goes far beyond reducing carbon emissions. The transport sector has the potential to improve the lives and livelihoods of billions of people. However, in addition to meeting the needs of people today, the sector must be ready to respond to the expectations of future generations: this is the essence of sustainable development.
Encouraging people to switch from the private car to more sustainable modes is currently one of the main challenges for cities. To do so, it is not enough to encourage the use of bicycles or public transport, but, above all, to create conditions for this transition to take place.
Cities are currently socio-economic epicenters that more and more people are looking for jobs, services and cultural options. Cities have in themselves a great human activity to which they must respond through efficient, balanced and sustainable planning.
Due to the size or characteristics of these urban centers, it is sometimes difficult to get from one point of the city to another using an alternative means of transport to the car, which is, in itself, an environmentally unsustainable alternative that marginalizes other transport options. faster, cheaper and more sustainable. Currently, the adoption of a “new” urban mobility model is imperative in order to create improvements in the conditions for citizens to move around, whether in terms of ease of access and mobility, or in terms of improving the environmental quality and life of the community. To this end, it is important to create an organized, safe and accessible space so that people can have more and better options.
The United Nations has defined sustainable transport as “the provision of services and infrastructure for the mobility of people and goods – promoting economic and social development to benefit current and future generations – in a safe, accessible, affordable, efficient and resilient manner, minimizing carbon and other emissions and environmental impact.”
A number of innovative mobility trends, including shared mobility and providing affordable and sustainable mobility options for people, can help achieve global sustainability goals.
Shared Mobility
Shared mobility can play a key role in reducing emissions as well as congestion. By sharing various modes of transport (cars, scooters, e-bikes) we can avoid owned vehicles standing idle for most of the day and optimize the use of vehicles by doing more with less. ‘NOwnership’, in which people do not own the means of transportation but pay per use, - has already started to change our habits, especially in urban areas.
According to research conducted by MIT on the benefits of shared mobility, this type of mobility could also reduce the occupation of parking spaces in cities by 86 percent, freeing up precious public space and radically rethinking how space is used.
Public Transport
Improving the quality and quantity of public transport services is one of the most efficient ways of reducing both emissions and congestion. The real competitor of collective transport is individual transport, so it is crucial to offer services of good quality and high frequency.
Countries or cities that invest the most in public transport systems are also those with the highest shares of modal split. For example, a recent study showed that the availability of rail infrastructure and services has a direct influence on modal split and greenhouse gas emissions.
Smart mobility
Digital technologies enable automated mobility and smart traffic management, making transport more efficient and thus reducing emissions. Intelligent transport systems will play a key role in making mobility more efficient on our roads, on the water and in the air.
For example, peer-to-peer, vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-infrastructure connectivity can support sustainable trip choices, allow for multimodal transport, improve access to public transport and reduce congestion as well as fuel consumption. Connectivity can optimize travel mode and route selection, improving traffic flow and reducing fuel consumption.
Automated vehicle control promises to improve energy efficiency, safety, and convenience. With each level of automation and improved connectivity, fuel consumption is reduced.
Access to mobility
Sustainable mobility also includes the important notion of access to mobility, regardless of income or location. / In this
Sustainable mobility also includes the important notion of access to mobility, regardless of income or location.
Sustainable mobility includes equity in accessibility, with particular attention to more vulnerable groups of the population and geographical areas at risk of social exclusion.
Walking & Cycling
The promotion of soft mobility is a simple way to reduce emissions and improve the quality of life, especially in urban areas.
Safety
Sustainable mobility must also be safe mobility. By leveraging technology and innovation, the number of transport-related deaths and injuries will be reduced / In this
Road accidents are one of the main causes of preventable mortality. A recent World Health Organization (WHO) report 4 indicated that 1.35 million people die each year on our roads, and it is the leading cause of death for children and young adults between 5 and 29 years of age.
You have millions more are injured or disabled every year. Sustainable mobility must also be safe mobility. By leveraging technology and innovation, the number of transport-related deaths and injuries will be reduced.
Reducing emissions from every mode of transport
In parallel with increasing efficiency, ‘decarbonizing’ transport is vital. For around 200 years, we have relied on fossil sources to power transport. We need to shift to renewable sources, fast. This means a fundamental shift, and all solutions will be needed.
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