The shifting sands of sustainable mobility

How cities can stay on the right track to deployment

With new information becoming available on what seems to be a daily basis, what are the indicators that cities are on the right track to achieving their crucial sustainable mobility goals? Deploying new projects is only one tool in what has to be an armoury of solutions.

For the avoidance of doubt, and to ensure everyone is reading from the same hymn sheet, let us define ‘sustainable mobility’.

Sustainable mobility, in the context of this article at least, refers to a transport system designed to meet the needs of the present day without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Among the many stated (even mandated) aims of any city deploying sustainable mobility projects, reducing the environmental, social, and economic impacts associated with transport, namely reducing emissions, increasing energy efficiency, boosting social inclusivity and generating economic growth would be top of any city’s list today.

Among the many stated aims of any city deploying sustainable mobility projects, reducing the environmental, social, and economic impacts associated with transport would be top of any city’s list today

However, with the sustainability ‘goalposts’ perpetually moving (or the sands constantly shifting), successfully deploying projects in a rapidly evolving landscape requires cities to be agile, adaptive and data-driven.

TWENTY TRANSPORT TIPS

After speaking with a variety of ‘sus-mob’ practitioners and experts Intertraffic collated their combined top 20 hints on what strategies and KPIs are required to help cities stay on track with their sustainability goals and to ultimately create liveable communities.

1 Design transport infrastructure to be modular and scalable, allowing for incremental updates and expansions as new technologies and data become available.

2 Implement pilot projects to test new technologies and strategies in a controlled environment before considering wider deployment.

3 Use IoT sensors and data analytics to continuously monitor transport systems’ environmental impact and establish mechanisms for regularly collecting feedback from citizens and stakeholders to identify areas for improvement.

4 Collaborate with private sector companies, research institutions, and non-profit organisations to leverage expertise, technology and funding.

5 Involve local communities in the planning and implementation process to ensure projects meet their specific needs and gain public support.

6 Implement flexible, dynamic regulatory frameworks that can be quickly adjusted in response to new data and technologies.

7 Develop incentives for the adoption of sustainable practices, such as subsidies for EVs or rewards for using public transport, encouraging active travel.

8 Use AI for predictive analytics to anticipate and respond to changes in movement patterns and environmental impact.

9 Employ blockchain technology to ensure transparency and accountability in sustainable mobility initiatives.

With the sustainability ‘goalposts’ perpetually moving, successfully deploying projects in a rapidly evolving landscape requires cities to be agile, adaptive and data-driven

10 Compare your progress against other cities and global best practices to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.

11 Measure reductions in CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions from transportation.

12 Track improvements in air quality indicators such as PM2.5 and NOx levels.

13 Monitor the increase in the number of people using public transportation.

14 Measure the increase in the number of electric vehicles on the road and the usage of charging infrastructure.

15 Track the growth in EV charging stations and other supporting infrastructure.

16 Evaluate cost savings from reduced fuel consumption and lower maintenance costs for sustainable transport options.

17 Track the creation of new jobs in green transport sectors.

18 Conduct regular surveys to gauge public satisfaction with sustainable mobility options.

19 Monitor the city’s ability to adapt policies and regulations in response to new information and technologies.

20 Measure the level of community engagement and participation in sustainability initiatives.

These are just a select few strategic tips and suggestions (others are of course available and these 20 ideas won’t guarantee success on their own) and by monitoring these indicators cities can ensure that they remain on the path towards smarter, safer, greener, financially viable and more sustainable urban transport systems.

LEADING THE WAY: 5 SUCCESSFUL SUSTAINABLE CITIES

Dozens of cities around the world have successfully implemented sustainable mobility projects, with varying degrees of success, it must be said, but here are five examples of those that have deployed notable schemes:

Amsterdam, Netherlands: Amsterdam combines a particularly efficient public transport system with an extensive active travel (ie, cycling) infrastructure. The city famously has more bikes than residents and a well-planned network of bike paths.

Bogotá, Colombia: Bogotá's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, TransMilenio, is one of the largest and most efficient in the world. It has significantly reduced traffic congestion and pollution while providing affordable transit options.

Copenhagen, Denmark: Copenhagen is renowned for its extensive cycling infrastructure, including dedicated bike lanes, bridges, and traffic signals for cyclists. Over 40% of all commutes in the city are made by bike.

Singapore: The Land Transport Authority has developed a comprehensive plan integrating land use with public transportation. The city-state features an efficient mass rapid transit system, a high rate of public transport usage, and policies to limit car ownership. These cities demonstrate various approaches to achieving sustainable urban mobility, from prioritizing cycling infrastructure and public transport to implementing innovative policies such as congestion charging.

Stockholm, Sweden introduced a congestion charging system that has reduced traffic volumes, lowered emissions and improved air quality. The revenue generated is reinvested (or hypothecated) into public transport and infrastructure improvements.