Page 17 - European Energy Innovation - spring 2020 publication
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Spring 2020 European Energy Innovation 17
THE FUTURE OF ROAD TRANSPORT
of the 5 main pillars of the strategy Figure 2. The Living-Lab framework
for a sustainable mobility in Europe.
Now more than any point in the
past century, the convergence
of several new technologies and
business models may really succeed
in transforming a sector which has
remained conceptually unchanged for
several decades after the mid of the
20th century.
Flexible options like electric bikes,
scooters and modular automated
shuttles may make public transport
more accessible by shrinking the
‘last mile’ to and from our homes or
workplaces.
Innovation can slash costs and spur and even more comfortable, the are not ready for a transition to a
demand: full automation cuts out situation will deteriorate further. At connected and automated mobility,
drivers, electrification simplifies the same time, flexible options may due to a lack of trust and being
production and lowers running costs, remain out of reach for more price- unconvinced that these technologies
while sharing can increase profits by sensitive segments of the population will add value to their daily lives.
making vehicles work 24/7 and use unless they are well-integrated into
the road more efficiently. the public transport system. We must also engage citizens in
research and experimentation.
But new technologies alone will not Policymakers must act to ensure that Establishing a network of European
spontaneously make our lives better. new technologies will make future ‘living labs’ is one way to create the
Transport systems are internally transport cleaner and more equitable right environment in which innovative
complex systems, made up of many than their car-centric present. Left mobility solutions are tested and rolled
elements that influence each other unmanaged, such changes may out with the direct involvement of
both directly and indirectly. widen the gaps in our societies. people. A living lab is a physical space
where the policy cycle is implemented
This means that without their Technologies again can be of help. with the direct involvement of people
integration in a broader policy Greater automation and connectivity since the very beginning.
framework, the eventual impact of could allow for regulated road
deploying new technologies cannot access, reducing the attractiveness A network of such labs is needed to
be easily anticipated and may very of road transport among citizens share lessons learned and to ensure
well worsen the situation. and encouraging the shift to more proper, wide dissemination. The
sustainable, collective solutions Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the
Early evidence suggests that new with substantial benefits for traffic European Commission has started
technology is not necessarily flow, transport efficiency and energy research on the use of living labs by
improving transport efficiency. consumption. creating its own one to experiment
New mobility solutions such as car with smart city system within
sharing, ride sharing and ride-hailing But technologies should not be given simulated urban environments. l
services are making cars even more the mandate to address societal
appealing, thereby luring passengers deficiencies without the involvement European Commission
from public transport, which is often of citizens. Otherwise they risk being Joint Research Centre
perceived as old, dangerous and rejected and increasing people’s Bldg. 46I, TP 469
uncomfortable. As a result, several distrust and repulsion towards I-21027 Ispra (VA), Italy
cities, especially in the USA, are public institutions, a problem that is +39 0332 78 5970
experiencing a significant increase in becoming more widespread, even in https://ec.europa.eu/jrc
road congestion. the most advanced democracies. A
recent survey involving almost 30 000
If the introduction of automated European citizens shows that people
vehicles makes car transport cheaper
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