ABSTRACT
Despite two decades of mobility behaviour-change initiatives, progress in Europe remains limited. The presentation addresses why there has not been greater success by reviewing the role that structural constraints play in limiting mobility choices. These include not only urban form, which can change only slowly, but also economic influences and cost trends which incentivise behaviour contrary to policy objectives, and finally social and cultural factors, given that some cities and countries have different mobility profiles than others, despite otherwise similar conditions. Findings from the EC-funded EVIDENCE project, which reviewed 22 categories of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan measures, are considered.
The presentation concludes that promoting urban forms which are accessible by a range of modes will result in a resilient economy and society that will not be highly disrupted by energy supply difficulties. Also it is essential that transport system costs are aligned in a way that promotes policy objectives.
