As a global community we have been battling a climate crisis that we, ourselves have generated through our mobility usage and forms of transportation. I ask you… are we not all guilty of wanting the quickest and most efficient way of getting where we need to go, no matter the impacts on the environment? It’s a mentality as old as time to reap the benefits now and deal with the consequences later. Well, what if we changed this narrative and considered the greener and more sustainable methods that can drive smart societies, that we are ultimately already accelerating towards?
The quintessential question of sustainable transport hovers in the atmosphere. Is the future of mobility simply about electric vehicles and autonomous driving, or are we overlooking a pivotal aspect: social engagement? Are social driven smart mobility solutions (incorporating shared resources and collective participation), really the answer to a greener and more inclusive future?
The Power of Community for Mobility
Social driven smart mobility is a concept that emphasises the power of human connectivity and shared resources in transforming transportation systems. It involves a variety of approaches, which I’m sure you’re all aware of such as, ride-sharing and bike-sharing platforms moving over to communal use of electric vehicle charging stations, all with the purpose of reducing our global carbon footprint and promoting social cohesion.
I know what you must be thinking… It’s easy to preach about proposed plans and concepts but what you really want to know, on a fundamental basis, is does it actually work? What is currently out there to prove social smart mobility approaches are effective for individuals regarding transportation while equally benefiting the environment?
Carpooling platforms! Now, carpooling has been a social action utilised by many of us in an attempt to cut down on traffic congestion and C02 emissions when multiple individuals are travelling to the same location. Prior to advancements and the optimisation of technological platforms, this action would often be only subjected to ride-sharing within your social network and people you personally know. The introduction of ride-sharing apps accessible on mobile devices provides a new opportunity to connect drivers travelling from one area to another with passengers heading the same way. The French company BlaBlaCar, is a premier example of this, with over 70 million users spanning 22 countries, it pays testimony that social engagement along with technological advancements can be a powerful component for smart mobility solutions.
Bicycle-sharing programs are another effective form of social driven mobility methods. It has been incorporated in hundreds of cities all over the globe and has proved to be a social engagement project that allows citizens to travel freely, in an environmental manner with limited cost implications. What more could you ask for?
This program flourishes both on a national and international level, drawing reference to the ‘Santander Cycles System’ operating in London allowing citizens to publicly hire bicycles to travel around the city, reducing vehicle congestion and emissions. The city of Antwerp, Belgium is another prime example. As of 2020, Velo (a bicycle sharing program) has amassed 150,000 regular users and a network of over 300 docking stations across the city, showcasing the societal appetite for shared, environmentally-friendly transport options is growing.
Don’t Listen to Me, Listen to the Numbers
The potential impact of these social mobility initiatives on our environment and city infrastructure is and continues to be enormous. A study on BlaBlaCar, published in Nature Climate Change, estimated that the platform could reduce CO2 emissions by 1.6 million tons per year if it reached global adoption. Similarly, Antwerp’s Velo program reported a 14% decrease in personal vehicle use within its first five years of operation.
The Roadblocks Ahead
As I glance over what I’ve written to you, advocating all the promises that social driven smart mobility solutions can hold for our future, it is only fair to note the limitations that can stand in the way of this method of smart mobility solution.
The success and efficiency of these initiatives hangs in the balance of a community’s willingness to participate. Like anything, resistance can amount from individuals in a society and can be due to privacy and safety concerns or lack of comfort with sharing with unknown individuals. Additionally, the infrastructure required, such as bike docking stations or EV charging ports, also involves significant investments.
Looking Toward the Horizon: The Future of Social Mobility
The future of social smart mobility might involve more integrated platforms that combine different modes of transport and increased use of data analytics to improve service and user experience. Imagine a single app that combines ride-sharing, bike rentals, and public transport schedules, optimised with real-time data to offer the most efficient, green route.
Final Thought
As we grapple with the mounting urgency of environmental sustainability and urban livability, the effectiveness of socially driven smart mobility solutions becomes a pressing question. Can these community-based, shared-resource models be the secret to a green and connected future of transportation? What role are you ready to play in this transformation?
