The Department for Transport has published the ‘Future of mobility: urban strategy’ outlining the approach the Government will take to “seize the opportunities from the changes happening in urban transport” and the principles that will guide these.
The nine principles guiding the Government’ strategies are:
1. New modes of transport and new mobility services must be safe and secure by design.
2. The benefits of innovation in mobility must be available to all parts of the UK and all
segments of society.
3. Walking, cycling and active travel must remain the best options for short urban journeys.
4. Mass transit must remain fundamental to an efficient transport system.
5. New mobility services must lead the transition to zero emissions.
6. Mobility innovation must help to reduce congestion through more efficient use of
limited road space, for example through sharing rides, increasing occupancy or
consolidating freight.
7. The marketplace for mobility must be open to stimulate innovation and give the best
deal to consumers.
8. New mobility services must be designed to operate as part of an integrated transport
system combining public, private and multiple modes for transport users.
9. Data from new mobility services must be shared where appropriate to improve choice
and the operation of the transport system.
These are the Government’s next steps for 2019 at a glance.
Implementing a flexible regulatory framework
Initiating four new areas of focus for government’s Regulatory Review:
• Micromobility vehicles, and how to trial them
• Mobility as a Service
• Transport data
• Modernising bus, taxis and private hire vehicles legislation
These are in addition to existing regulatory programmes for:
• Zero emission vehicles
• Self-driving vehicles
• Drones and future flight
• Maritime autonomy
Supporting industry and local leaders
- Fostering experimentation and trialling, through the launch of up to four Future Mobility Zones with £90 million of funding
- Encouraging the sharing and harnessing of data, through the creation of standards and platforms that make it easier to access and use transport data
- Supporting the automotive industry to adapt, by continuing to fund the research and development of low carbon technologies
- Building local capability, through supporting local areas to implement the Principles for shaping the future of urban mobility and develop Local Industrial Strategies
- Preparing the urban environment, through publishing guidance to support local decisions about the design and allocation of urban space
Ensuring Government decision-making is robust
- Building futures thinking into our decision-making, through updating our strategy and guidance for transport appraisal and modelling
- Conducting analysis and research, to build the evidence base for new transport technologies and their impacts
- Understanding public perceptions, through public dialogue and surveys exploring attitudes to new transport technologies
Continuing established technology-specific programmes
Capitalising on the opportunities for the UK from developing, manufacturing and deploying specific mobility technologies:
• Zero emission vehicles
• Connected and self-driving vehicles
• Drones and future flight
Future of Mobility Minister, Jesse Norman, said, “We are at a potentially pivotal moment for the future of transport, with revolutionary technologies creating huge opportunities for cleaner, cheaper, safer and more reliable journeys.
“Through this strategy the government aims to take advantage of these innovations; connecting more people and bringing big benefits we hope for both the economy and the environment”.
For more information, please visit https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/786654/future-of-mobility-strategy.pdf
