Introduction
This report is the third and final report of a research initiative that explores the evolution of travel in meeting urban mobility needs given rapidly changing technology and greater sensitivity to climate change.
The first report, “Transportation’s Role in Climate Change,” focuses on the role of transportation in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The second report, “Public Transit and Climate Change,” focuses specifically on the influence of public transportation.
This final report in the series explores the challenges and issues facing urban travel going forward as demographic, economic, technological, and cultural/political conditions evolve.
This report examines the current and forthcoming challenges with a specific focus on the potential influence of technological advancements and evolving travel behaviors on the trajectory ahead.
The analysis first delves into the core attributes of travel decision-making, followed by an overview of pivotal issues that will shape the course of urban transportation in the years ahead. It concludes with observations about planning and policy strategies to help address these challenges.
The context
Transportation is undergoing its most profound changes in over half a century. Significant technological changes coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, growing concerns over climate change, and greater sensitivities to equity in mobility are affecting multiple aspects of every mode of travel. The COVID-19 pandemic served as an accelerant to the adoption of technologies and behaviors that fundamentally change the travel choices individuals make.
From the rapid embrace of telework to the more subtle shifts in activity and settlement patterns, to the movement to electrification of transportation, virtually every aspect of travel is changing.
Full Policy Brief: Transportation and Climate Change: Urban Mobility in a Climate-Sensitive World