Four key dynamics are forcing a reset in how transport systems are planned, designed, and implemented:
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The SDGs and Paris Climate Agreement have compelled countries to rethink their domestic agendas in service of higher-level goals. While transport does not have a dedicated goal, it shares deep roots with each of the SDGs. Transport is recognized as an enabler for several SDGs and decarbonization of the sector is crucial to achieving the Paris Climate Agreement targets. It is therefore essential to translate these international commitments into specific policy and investment transport targets.
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Data and modern technologies have created a major opportunity for transport by enabling greater effectiveness in the way decisions can be made. Data combined with artificial intelligence, if well leveraged, could generate new insights for better policies, better functioning transportation systems, agile plans for future needs, and new incentives for customer behavior changes.
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A new governance paradigm encourages a new model of decision-making in the transport sector, which emphasizes more decentralization, more transparency, accountability, and greater citizen engagement.
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Equity and inclusion concerns have taken greater significance in this new world. Therefore, the transport sector must respond to growing concerns about both horizontal and vertical dimensions of equity. The urban and rural aspects of transport represent horizontal equity of location, and gender represents a piece of vertical equity, considering specific demographic profiles of individuals.
During four weeks in 2021, the Partnership delivered the first edition of an interactive course geared toward public decision-makers in transport. These participants learned about these key drivers that are shaping the future of mobility and necessitating a new policy approach.
Source: “Sustainable Mobility in a Fast-Changing World: from Concept to Action”, Vandycke Nancy and José M. Viegas (forthcoming)”