Policy

17 Ways to Transform Your City's Streets

The European Commission has set up an Expert Group for Urban Mobility (EGUM). Earlier this year, it produced a report on "how to deal with limited urban space and conflicting demands for it, taking into account social, climate and environmental goals."

Key Takeaways

• The report contains 17 'strategic modules':

1. Integrate Sustainable Neighbourhood Mobility Plans with Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans. Neighbourhood plans need to be developed as each street has its own context.
2. Develop green and blue plans for street space. These deal with overheating and managing rainwater.
3. Improve vehicle design guidelines in relation to public space. As street space is limited, reducing vehicle size would lead to a more efficient use of space.
4. Put in place traffic calming and shared spaces. Allow pedestrians to use the entire width of the street and not be restricted to (narrow) sidewalks.
5. Add parklets, cafés and other elements for better social interaction. Outdoor seating areas have become very popular. There should also be non-commercial seating areas.
6. (Re-)allocate sufficient space for walking. Enough space for walking side by side on sidewalks should be as normal as sitting in a car side by side.
7. Integrate public transport into street space. Separated infrastructure (bus lanes, tram tracks) is a prerequisite for undisturbed, efficient operation of public transport.
8. Plan and build cycle infrastructure, including safe bike parking. Cycling requires good infrastructure.
9. Dedicate space for shared e-scooters, bikes, and cargo bikes. To integrate shared micro-mobility requires clear regulations for operators, including dedicated areas to leave the vehicles behind.
10. Try out innovative urban logistics approaches. A better organisation of urban street space, including delivery zones, can reduce the conflicts with other modes.
11. Plan and implement e-charging hubs. E-charging infrastructure should be installed off-street rather than on-street; however, urban neighbourhoods with limited off-street parking may also require on-street charging.
12. Use car sharing to reduce demand for car parking. Car sharing has the potential to be an alternative to car ownership, allowing cities to reclaim street space efficiently.
13. Use parking garages to reduce demand for on-street parking. Neighbourhood parking garages are a tool to shift from on-street parking to off-street parking.
14. Ensure compliance with the given rules. Compliance with the rules is a prerequisite to ensure a well-working and efficient mobility system.
15. Improve visibility and other safety aspects. Include speed reduction, visibility between road users and distance between road users moving at different speeds.
16. Use kerbside management for more efficient use of street space. This includes managing parking, loading zones, public transport, bike lanes, and pedestrian areas.
17. Exploit technology on the way to automated transport through Intelligent Parking Assistant (IPA). Integrate existing and upcoming technology to achieve parking that follows regulations and rules.

• The report also contains 19 case studies of the modules in action.

Comment

It is good to find one place covering all of these modules. However, the main barrier to change is a political one. Many of these modules require significant political will and the ability to navigate the political headwinds that will try to resist change.

What next?

Do you have streets that would benefit from one or more of the modules?

Net Zero

Why We're Losing the Transport Climate Battle

The Energy Demand Research Centre (EDRC) has conducted a study into what it will take for the UK to meet its transport decarbonisation goals. There are key lessons for governments all around the world.

Key Takeaways

• Transport is the largest sector of emissions in the UK economy, and over the last decade, it has failed to meet its expected levels of decarbonisation.
• The UK is failing to achieve modal shift, with its spending plans not aligning with its ambitions for emission reductions.
• The spend on active travel is nowhere near the levels needed for transformation.
• The funding for buses is more commensurate with treading water.
• There are some good public transport capital projects, but these lack sufficient scale to support reductions in emissions at a systemic level.
• The transition to zero-emission vehicles is the largest source of mitigation planned for the transport sector, but needs to be sped up. The required rate of uptake of ZEVs is very high, creating a key risk on delivery.
• Substantial global uncertainty, trade wars, a difficult economic environment and the rise in the anti net-zero political narrative all provide additional headwinds to reduce emissions quickly.
• Increasingly, net-zero plans are being considered “unrealistic and therefore unworkable", and therefore a renewed focus on carbon capture and storage relative to mitigation is being considered in some places.
• The potential for travel demand reduction has been largely ignored. However, it provides a potential low-cost opportunity to help meet the goals.
• The Scottish National Party set ambitious goals but has not delivered. Stated political commitment is not ensuring that there is a sufficient programme of delivery in place.
• Freezing fuel duty in 2025/26 and 2026/27 acts to reinforce car use rather than promoting mode shift.

Comment

Historically, global transport emissions have increased by approximately 1.7% per year. To meet net-zero targets, we need to see a 3% decline. This is extremely challenging and looking increasingly unlikely.

With current policy settings, the targets for net-zero are unlikely to be met, especially when governments are already financially stretched and many are having to find additional funds for defence.

The obvious policy solution to this dilemma would be some form of road pricing. This would both reduce levels of driving and provide a source of funding that could be reinvested in active and public transport. However, road pricing at scale (as opposed to limited congestion zones) has yet to be taken up anywhere in the world due to a lack of public support.

What next?

Do you have a similar level of analysis on the gap between your policies and net-zero ambitions? Are there realistic policy levers to narrow that gap?

Leadership

Breaking Through Transport's Resistance to Change

The transport sector is facing numerous changes in the coming years, including the need to achieve net zero, technological transformation, and increasing financial pressures. However, many transport organisations have a reputation for being stuck in their ways and resistant to change. How can we make our transport agencies more welcoming to change?

1. Communicate openly and transparently. Explain the need for change.
2. Find ways of involving staff in the process. Foster a sense of ownership and commitment. For example, form groups to harness and progress ideas for change.
3. Listen to concerns. Many staff members will have legitimate concerns, such as safety, job losses, and loss of control. Address the concerns directly.
4. Provide Training and Ongoing Support. Help staff to develop new skills and adapt to change. Ensure they do not feel left behind or unprepared.
5. Celebrate Successes and Milestones. Recognise and reward progress and achievements, both big and small.
6. Lead by Example. Leaders should model the behaviours they expect from employees, showing visible commitment to the new direction.
7. Create and sustain a sense of urgency and momentum. Look for quick wins to gain momentum and keep finding ways to demonstrate progress.
8. Find ways to bypass the organisational vetocracy. Transport organisations are very good at resisting change, innovations and new ideas. Much of this is due to the numerous veto points, with sign-offs required from more than a dozen individuals. Provide forums for senior decision makers to access the best change ideas.

What Next?

Are you proactively or reactively managing change?

Quick Adventures in Transport Wonderland

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Interesting articles, podcasts and papers that sent me down the transport rabbit hole this week:

• A series of articles on future fuels from Jorgen Pedersen - analysis, battery electric, hydrogen, synthetic fuels, electric road systems (ERS), ammonia-based fuels, and conclusion.
• ​Exploring factors influencing car commuters’ willingness to participate in an app-based Voluntary Travel Behaviour Change programme.​
• Latest findings on the New York congestion zone.

Blog

From Wishlist to Roadmap: What Transport AI Strategies Really Need

This week, my blog considered, with significant input from Muriel Demarcus, what an AI strategy for transport organisations should look like.

Innovation

Can’t Afford an Ebike? Borrow One for Free From a Lending Library

​Programs that let people borrow an ebike for a few days at a time are blooming around the US. They’re convenient for all, but they also provide free transport for those priced out of bike ownership.​

Tool

New Tool for EV Infrastructure Investment

A new online tool has been launched to help local authorities in the UK secure electric vehicle infrastructure investment.