Our definition of mobility needs to extend beyond planes, trains and automobiles. These machines have been enablers of growth, productivity and connectivity (collectively and in their various iterations) for hundreds of years. They are objects of status and desire, artistic and engineering masterpieces and mass movers of people over large distances.
However, in a modern world where cities are bursting at the seams, the experience of individuals – commuters, workers, students, families, tourists – as they go about their day is increasingly complex and compromised by the ‘empty spaces’ and voids left between our different transport modes.
Unpacking the future of mobility with transport experts and policy makers was the major focus of my recent trip to Australia. Visiting most of the major cities, one of the first things I noticed was that distance is different there. It’s as much in the mind as it is in the kilometers – Aussies say they are simply prepared to travel further than their contemporaries in places like the UK and Europe. Unsurprising, considering the land down under is almost 32 times larger than the UK, but with a population that is less than half the size.
The data does show things a little differently however, with average car use in Australia at 36 km a day, perhaps due to 80% of people living in cities. Most of the Aussies I spoke to however, said long car trips to other cities or regional destinations are common.
But the tyranny of distance does not mean a seamless mobility experience is out of reach. It certainly shouldn’t mean that the car is the default for daily journeys. If anything, countries like Australia need to spend even more time focusing on helping people move more sustainably.
From the old to the new
Welcome to the world of ‘new mobility’, where every step – from the moment you leave your front door to the second you reach your destination – is considered, curated and catered for. It’s a design philosophy that considers people as individuals rather than one homogenous herd, with their own needs and requirements to get from Point A to Point B. At its heart is equality, accessibility and sustainability.
As with anything new, there are teething issues and learnings that can be applied as we take theory and put into practice. Here's my take on some of the trends shaping new mobility.
The electrification of everything and the cost to the consumer
The smooth grill of an electric vehicle still draws the eye. It’s out of the ordinary. A glitch in the matrix. But in the not-too-distant future we won’t flutter an eyelash as the whole transport network – from e-bikes and e-cars to electric barges, buses and trucks make the transition to net zero.
However, the conversion only works if you have the charging infrastructure to support at scale. It’s early days for Australia with almost 5,000 public EV charging points as of December 2022, but we are expecting this to grow rapidly with charge point operators investing heavily in their networks. But there are questions we need to ask about the electrification of everything and the cost to the consumer.
If you’re able to install a personal EV charger on off-street parking, great. But as we know, that’s not the reality for many homeowners and renters. We are already seeing this play out in the UK. You’ll pay 5% VAT to charge your car on a personal, off-street system, but 20% VAT if you use the on-street charging infrastructure – that’s a significant difference.
If we want people to make the switch, then we need to make the purchase and ownership of an e-car accessible and equitable – that includes how easy and affordable it is to charge your car, no matter how you choose to do so.
Local Government Areas (LGA’s) in Australia have pull in this space. Where you place charging infrastructure, the kind of infrastructure you need and the bargaining power LGAs have with electricity companies to get the best deal for the community is an important lever is making EV ownership accessible to all.
Micromobility has macro benefits
Now, I have four boys and there are occasions when we need a car – but, for about 90% of our lives, we get about using active and public transport. For this to be feasible for everyone, we need to understand and invest in public transport and in particular micromobility.
Micromobility is exactly what it says on the tin. It refers to options like e-bikes and e-scooters – the mobility options that help people get around the local community, pop to the local shops, or connect them to larger transit options.
But there’s nothing micro about the potential for what is touted to be a thriving new sector. The size of the global e-motorbike and e-scooters market is projected to reach USD $22 billion by 2024, with some statistics suggesting the market is growing between 8% – 13% year on year.
There’s an economic opportunity, however, enhancing the micromobility experience will also present real health benefits. But what does that look like? In the Netherlands, a new trial is underway to enhance cycling experience by reducing time at traffic lights to no more than 40 seconds. More time moving – a more seamless experience – will encourage more people to take to their bikes. There is a real opportunity for Australia to invest in those small connections that make a big difference.
New mobility hubs
We aren’t talking about over-station developments, or the intersection of train and bus, or bus and ferry. New mobility hubs are centralized, flexible and accessible destinations for all kinds of transport options.
You can charge your own EV, e-bike or e-scooter at the hub. Alternatively, you can tap into the share economy and ‘rent’ a vehicle from designated terminals. I got to experience this for myself when I was able to explore the amazing city of Perth by e-scooter. Naturally, I didn’t bring a helmet as part of my carry-on luggage, so I was delighted down to my new mobility toes, when Perth City Council provided helmets which could be unlocked with the e-scooter to increase that all important accessibility.
Mobility hubs should become so ubiquitous that they blend in and support the existing urban environment. We are already starting to see them alongside bus and railway stations, business parks, shopping centres, village hubs and tourist destinations.
Mobility in 3D
Many governments and transport authorities are still figuring out how to create a seamless experience on the ground. Now I urge you to look up. Advanced Air Mobility, what I call Mobility 3D is the new frontier of mobility. Moving goods and people via drones using electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL), and autonomous drones, will create spectacular challenges and opportunities for our built environment – some of which we can’t even imagine yet. And trust me when I say that companies and individuals are already investigating how they can use drones as part of their operations – at Arcadis we are very much looking at this ourselves for large logistical operations. However, I have a colleague in Canberra, who recently had a coffee delivered by drone. It arrived cold, but it did arrive.
Twenty years ago, who would have thought that the last thing we would be doing on our phones is making a call? So what will we be doing using eVTOL and drones in 10 years, and how do you create the structures to allow this to happen safely?
Australia can be a ‘fast follower’ on new mobility
Let’s address the elephant in the room. Australia has not moved as fast on EVs or active transport infrastructure as some of their counterparts around the world, though there is an opportunity for them to use this to their advantage. The thing about going ‘first’ is that there is no template to follow. You’re creating the rules as you go, and there will invariably be missteps. Australia can learn from the cities that may be on iteration two or three of the roll out of EV infrastructure, or regulation and support for shared economy and mobility hubs.
With a current boom in city shaping infrastructure and precinct investment in Australia – it would take relatively little effort to invest in new mobility initiatives alongside the big projects. The return on that investment will be better connected communities, greater health, increased sustainability, and more options for every person to make better choices about how they move around.
