Governance, policies and incentives play an important role in shaping transport and
mobility systems and influence the development and implementation of different technologies
and modes of transport (e.g. walking, cycling, public transport and rail). It is therefore
important to study how policies and regulations could be best used to govern transport and
mobility systems in desired directions, so that they become more sustainable and just, for
instance with regard to gender, place, or low-income households, as well as their fiscal
impacts.
In addition, the COVID-19 crisis has significantly altered commuting habits; remote and
telework have become widespread together with other flexible work arrangements. The true
impact of these changes on gas emissions and on the well-being of people as well as on the
real-estate market (offices) are not known. This is now an opportunity to leverage on an
ongoing change in habits that could result in significant GHG reduction.
Proposals should address all of the following aspects:
- Analyse the influence of politicians on the making of sustainable and non-sustainable
transport policies, as well as the impact of their design on accessibility in peripheral
areas, identifying synergies with the reform of governance instruments of the European
Union (e.g. Trans-European Transport Network, Urban Mobility Framework) to enhance
the gradual phase-out policy effect for private car ownership.
- Propose approaches that better integrate mobility policies with policies from other
sectors (e.g. energy efficiency, renewables, gender mainstreaming, healthcare, retail and
poverty and low income population reduction).
- Consider the benefits of public/private partnerships towards future transport and mobility
system, as to secure local adjustment and solutions that are effective and economic for
private stakeholders, with a long-term sustainable horizon for the society.
- Identify and assess the potential of (shared) mobility hubs at neighbourhood-level and
define the role of organisational innovations in supporting them.
- Explore how small, medium cities and metropolitan areas manage the emergence of
micro-mobility and how driverless vehicles are likely to affect urban areas and land use
(e.g. mixed use of urban space, dynamic parking).
- Identify the major flaws on national transport and mobility regulations in EU countries
and provide recommendations on how to better harmonize them trans-nationally (e.g.
incentives for putting bicycles on trains etc.).
- Identify regulations and accountability measures to ensure that mobility data are best
utilised for the common good, for example, harnessing the potential of data to stimulate
innovation for more sustainable mobility behaviour patterns and guide urban planning,
while also protecting citizen privacy.
- Analyse the drivers for public acceptability of stringent and mandatory transport policies
(e.g. carbon taxes, urban traffic bans).
- Examine the most effective strategies in promoting the transition to more sustainable
freight transport in Europe following the recent and ongoing changes in consumer
culture, such as the increase in e-commerce and online.
