A report on mobility that’s just landed on Thursday morning asks if sustainable mobility got stuck in traffic.
Neat headline. But the work from Arthur D Little reveals that globally what we hoped in 2010 just didn’t happen.
Despite technological advancements, the anticipated shift from private cars to sustainable mobility options—such as public transport, walking, cycling, and shared mobility—has not materialised as expected, the company said.
In Brisbane, though, an brilliant experiment of making public transport almost free, at 50 cents a ride, has been a roaring success. More than 15 million public transport trips were taken between 5 August and 05 September with a jump in trips of 14.5 per cent and the biggest impact on ferry patronage which saw a 40 per cent rise in use, the ABC reported last week.
Here are its key findings:
- Stubborn dependence on private cars: Even after 14 years, private cars still account for 70 per cent of passenger-kilometres in urban areas and 90 per cent in rural areas. This statistic underscores the persistent challenge of achieving sustainable mobility and highlights the need for a significant transformation in transportation habits.
- Public willingness to change: There’s a significant potential for change: 42 per cent to 72 per cent of citizens in cities with more than 250,000 residents would consider giving up at least one car if viable alternatives were available. This suggests that with the right infrastructure and services, a shift towards sustainable mobility is within reach. However, the willingness to change varies by region, with 42 per cent in Europe and different figures elsewhere. (See page 12 of the report).
- Eight high-impact solutions to double sustainable mobility: The report outlines actionable solutions that could double the share of sustainable mobility from 30 per cent to 60 per cent of passenger kilometers over the next decade. These strategies require comprehensive implementation, appropriate funding, and deep collaboration among all stakeholders.
Additional Insights:
- slow progress in decarbonisation: Transportation remains a leading source of CO2 emissions, with a continued rise despite electrification efforts. A more integrated policy approach is necessary, combining electrification with modal shifts and transport demand reduction.
- expanding shared mobility systems: There is considerable room to expand mass transit infrastructure and adopt multimodal transport plans that prioritise various transportation services based on performance and affordability. Active mobility options like walking, cycling, and micromobility should be encouraged for short trips under five km.
- mobility demand management (mdm) strategies: With only 30 per cent of the potential to abandon private cars influenced by the availability of alternatives, MDM strategies are crucial. This includes urban vehicle access regulations, intermodal mobility hubs, smart parking solutions, and marketing efforts to foster sustainable mobility.
- Enabling local and regional authorities: Authorities must move beyond foundational policies and actively steer the roadmap for implementing sustainable solutions through a multi-stakeholder approach.
- Future of autonomous mobility: Instead of focusing solely on individual autonomous vehicles, the benefits may lie in connected and shared vehicle systems. Practical applications, like automated bus rapid transit systems, are more feasible in the short term.
- Promoting the “city of proximity” concept: Urban planning models like the “15-minute city” demonstrate how reshaping public spaces away from car-centric policies can create human-centric, sustainable cities, enhancing quality of life.
- Funding dilemmas: Achieving sustainable mobility requires new funding sources and more efficient spending. The report addresses potential solutions for policymakers and stakeholders.