What changes need to be made?
We are increasingly concerned about climate change and how urban planning can play an important role in it. Big cities have implemented sustainable mobility measures in recent years with the aim of lowering greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, and easing access to their city centers, among other initiatives.
The population increase and city growth has affected urban mobility worldwide because more vehicles on the roads is leading to traffic congestion, air pollution, and stress among citizens. This situation requires significant changes in the way we plan, manage, and get around cities.
1. Development of sustainable infrastructure
Efficient public transportation
One way to lower traffic congestion and air pollution is to encourage the use of public transportation. If a city has an accessible public transportation system with broad coverage, sufficient frequency, and affordable fares, citizens will be more likely to choose transportation alternatives that help lower their dependence on private vehicles to reach the city center, while also saving time and money by using less fuel.
To achieve this, in addition to buses, trains, subways, and streetcars that are able to cover larger areas and operate more regularly, it is also advisable to gradually upgrade these transportation fleets to electric or hybrid options that help lower carbon emissions. It is also important to design well-integrated public transportation networks with easy transfers and inclusive access for the disabled, parents with pushchairs, and cyclists, among many other common mobility needs.
Promoting active mobility
When we talk about active mobility, we mean transportation fueled by human energy, such as bicycles, scooters, and walking. Encouraging cycling in city centers requires the right infrastructures, including safe cycle lanes and bike parking, as well as pedestrian areas. It is important to have extensive networks of protected cycle lanes connecting different points of interest in the city, along with streets and reserved areas where pedestrians can walk without worrying about the traffic.
Cities with optimized infrastructures also use technologies like smart parking systems to encourage the use of these same sustainable modes of transportation. These systems guide vehicles to alternative parking areas on the city outskirts, helping to lower the congestion on city streets and therefore stress. They also make leisure activities more enjoyable by leaving room in the city center for other purposes.
2. Public policies
Incentives and subsidies
Governments and organizations can promote sustainable mobility with measures that help citizens purchase electric or hybrid vehicles, offer discounted fares to encourage the use of public transportation, or provide benefits to companies that promote shared transportation, such as corporate buses or remote work.
Low emissions zones
By implementing low-emissions areas in cities’ most populated and busiest areas, the air pollution that harms both the environment and citizens’ and visitors’ health can be lowered. The most common practices generally involve restricting access to certain areas for high-emissions vehicles and facilitating access for electric vehicles and non-motorized modes of transportation.
Sustainable urban planning
Urban planning should be designed to lower the number/length of long journeys and encourage the use of sustainable transportation. Transportation-oriented development (TOD) can design areas that integrate both homes and office spaces, as well as services near public transportation stations. Similarly, mixed-use zones can be established with pedestrian areas providing access to retail, leisure, and residential areas, thus lowering the need for private vehicles.
Urban parking guidance
3. Innovative technologies
Smart solutions such as parking guidance and control systems are increasingly being included among different sustainable mobility initiatives. They are proving to be some of the most effective solutions in the short term, and one of their main benefits is their ability to optimize parking in cities through the use of occupancy sensors, cameras, and real-time data analysis algorithms.
Through the implementation of innovative technologies, drivers can be given real-time information on parking availability, lowering the amount of time vehicles waste driving around looking for free spots. Users can plan their trips knowing in advance where they are most likely to park, improving traffic flow on the streets and lowering both fuel consumption and pollutant emissions.
Monitoring systems also provide important mobility data that can be used to further improve the city’s mobility planning and management. This information can shed light on mobility and behavioral patterns in order to anticipate congestion problems and plan solutions in advance. All of this contributes to a better mobility experience and lowers the impact of travel on the environment.
Sustainable mobility requires cooperation among governments, businesses, and citizens to develop healthier and more environmentally-friendly cities. With the gradual implementation of the right infrastructures, public policies, and smart technologies, urban mobility systems can be made into more sustainable models.
Urbiotica’s parking guidance and control systems are a short-term solution to optimize the use of space, lower road congestion, and promote the use of cleaner modes of transportation. These systems help create a more efficient transportation network, while also improving accessibility and quality of life in cities.
