Low Carbon Mobility Transitions Research Articles

Decoding Private or Commercial Vehicle Ownership Decisions for Low-Carbon Mobility Transitions: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Increase in vehicle ownership (VO) as a result of rapid economic and population growth and its negative environmental effects have gradually become a potential threat to the physical and social environment. A wide range of factors influences the propensity for VO by individuals or firms; however, the existing body of literature lacks a critical review which provides an understanding of their underlying associations and potential implications for policymaking in one holistic frame. To fill this research gap, this study presents a systematic review of factors affecting private and commercial VO using the PRISMA framework (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis). The factors influencing private VO decisions are extracted from the reviewed articles; subsequently, the identified factors are topologically divided into seven categories. The findings show that most studies identified the factors contributing to VO as related to socio-economic, demographic, and built environmental characteristics. A lack of research has been identified for attitudinal, technological, and parking-related variables. It is also concluded that there are gaps in the knowledge base on factors contributing to the commercial VO of a business establishment. Designing informed policy measures based on such factors that can induce a sustainable transition in the mobility sector is important to mitigate transportation-related negative externalities on the environment. The overall review findings offer actionable guidance for low-carbon mobility transition and outline a future research agenda for academic researchers and decision makers. The quantifiable factors revealed in this study are expected to assist policy makers in discouraging VO propensity among individuals or firms.

The potential of combining qualitative GIS and map elicitation in daily mobility studies

Mapping daily mobile experiences is a way to counter-map the mainstream status quo in transport planning and thus produce alternate ‘truths’ of mobility. Studies on the microgeographies of daily mobility and situational perspectives on transport can generate crucial knowledge, which might be used by planners and policymakers in facilitating low-carbon mobility transitions. There is great potential for rethinking and exploring new methods and techniques to study the mobile experiences and lived dimensions of mobility interventions. This paper explores the potential of an approach consisting of visualizing user-generated GPS tracks and geolocated photos in GIS and using the output for map elicitation in interviews. The participants are actively involved in the data production by using GPS trackers and taking photos. In turn, map elicitation enables the participants to be actively involved in analyzing the maps in retrospect. Thus, the method presents a bottom-up mapping tool for producing mobile knowledge, which in turn might be implemented in transport planning as a participatory planning support tool. The strengths and challenges of the proposed combination of methods are evaluated by considering (i) its potential at different stages of an idealized research process and (ii) how it can facilitate the production of microgeographical and im|mobile knowledge. This paper focuses on the practical and methodological implications of the proposed method and uses examples from a previously conducted study of an electric bike intervention in Norway to discuss the potential of combining these methods.

Living without commuting: experiences of a less mobile life under COVID-19

Understanding experiences of a less mobile life under COVID-19 offers insights into the taken-for-granted meanings of mobility in daily life, and into new opportunities for low-carbon mobility transitions associated with working from home. Drawing on 50 written interviews, this article explores meanings attributed to living without commuting during lockdown, examining what people missed and what they appreciated. The results indicate that the majority of respondents miss multiple aspects of daily mobility but have also discovered new experiences and routines that hold their daily life together and make it pleasant. Our findings thereby emphasize an often-neglected aspect in transport research: the complexity and ambivalence of people’s relationship with daily mobility. Here, commuting is seen simultaneously as a tiresome burden, but also as a key source of interaction with the wider world which is important in sustaining people’s sense of daily balance. Furthermore, ‘compensatory mobilities’ emerge as a widespread practice which helps people retain aspects they miss about commuting while working from home. This practice, we suggest, underscores the intrinsic enjoyment associated with being on the move, and is important for unraveling the potential impacts of working from home on people’s mobility carbon footprint.

Low Carbon Mobility Transitions and Justice: A Case of Costa Rica.

This research article analyzes the electrification of light-duty vehicles and its implications on equity and justice paradigm within a pro-green policy environment. The case of Costa Rica is investigated as the country has already gained considerable momentum in decarbonizing its economy and considers the transportation as the next step in its sectoral transformation. We evaluate the transition through different lenses of sustainability, equity and justice using socio-technical system transition and the energy justice frameworks. The outcome of the analysis is compared with the existing policies and plans for transport decarbonization in Costa Rica. The findings suggest that (a) the country should foster industry-academia collaborations and engagements to fortify knowledge sharing networks for low-mobility innovation, (b) subsidization of electricity cost for electric vehicles seems essential to incentivize market pull, and (c) Costa Rica should proceed towards the creation of domestic and local electric vehicles manufacturing capacity to provide an industrial environment for building long-standing technological learning and accumulation.

E-scooter regulation: The micro-politics of market-making for micro-mobility in Bergen

Micro-mobility market-making represents an under-studied but important aspect of urban transport sustainability transitions. Micro-mobility roll-out combines several critical elements: decarbonisation, digitalisation and public space interventions. We theorise the emergence of a micro-mobility market, drawing on innovation studies, micro-politics scholarship and commoning mobility literature, and critically discuss the relationship between innovation and regulation in this emerging market. We examine e-scooter roll-out in Bergen, Norway, using a structured analysis that interrogates knowledge, authority and power. Our empirical analysis employs expert interviews and focus group discussions with key transport sector stakeholders, including policymakers, practitioners and urban residents. We discuss insights in terms of implications for how micro-mobility markets are made and in turn make urban transport sustainability transitions. We argue that while micro-mobility can enable just low-carbon mobility transitions, market forces drive outcomes that may undermine urban sustainability agendas. We identify scope for dynamic regulation to engender low-carbon mobility in wider public interest.

New Dimensions of Vulnerability to Energy and Transport Poverty

As we decarbonise societies, we need to consider how such transitions interconnect energy and transport systems. In this Commentary, we argue that we need a better understanding of who may be vulnerable in low-carbon transitions. Current energy poverty definitions and metrics focus overwhelmingly on energy service consumption within the home, yet similar issues in the transport sector are often neglected. Failure to account for the intersections between energy and transport poverty may deepen structural forms of deprivation and worsen social and material inequalities, therefore preventing equitable transitions.

Envisioning future travel: Moving from high to low carbon systems

Comprehensive measures for reducing transport emissions were absent from the 2015 Paris Agreement yet without radical transformations in mobility systems and travel behaviour, transport emissions will continue to grow rapidly. This study investigated perceptions of travel in the year 2050 to see whether expectations of future travel align with lower carbon mobility systems. Data were collected through an international, online survey in 2016, targeting young adults with high levels of climate change concern. Thematic content analysis of responses (N = 401) revealed that 48% (n = 192) of participants described travel in 2050 as using low carbon mobility systems. This transition was predominantly attributed to improved technology (26%), rather than a shift in transportation mode (17%) or trip avoidance (12%). Expectations of future travel that could perpetuate high carbon mobility systems were mentioned by 53% (n = 212) of participants while only 23% (n = 94) mentioned factors that could reinforce low carbon mobility systems. These results show that even amongst people with high levels of concern about climate change, anticipated travel patterns have the potential to lock in high carbon transport and undermine progress. To achieve low carbon mobility transitions, strong international commitment must be supported by coordinated efforts of both governments and individuals.

Low carbon transitions pathways in mobility: Applying the MLP in a combined case study and simulation bridging analysis of passenger transport in the Netherlands

The analysis addresses two critical gaps in the literature on low-carbon mobility transitions: 1) scenarios of low-carbon mobility concentrate on technological substitution and have only a limited representation of niche-regime interactions and behavioural change, and 2) detailed qualitative analysis of socio-technical transitions dynamics have limited utility in developing future projections. It applies the Multi-Level Perspective on transitions, combining case studies of mobility niches in the Netherlands with simulations of transitions pathways using the MATISSE model, by applying the bridging approach proposed by Turnheim et al. (2015a). The iterative, combined qualitative case study and quantitative simulation approach develops transition pathways including both behavioural and technological change.The results show that both technological substitution to low carbon cars or a reconfiguration pathway away from car ownership to mobility lifestyles based on new public transport or cycling and walking for local trips are possible. However, while there is empirical evidence for the initial stage of a technological substitution to battery electric vehicles, transitions away from car ownership as the dominant mobility lifestyle have to overcome an established regime and will require major changes in culture and behaviour as well as support for new priorities in the institutions of transport planning.

Review of Low Carbon Mobility Transitions

Review of Low Carbon Mobility Transitions

Local government's contribution to low carbon mobility transitions

An important area of urban sustainability planning refers to the reduction of environmental impacts. Transport sector is one of the main contributors of these impacts due to its role in air pollution, greenhouse gases and CO2 emissions. Effective actions are needed to limit the environmental impacts of transport activities. Transition studies focus on these types of actions and plans. The role of local authorities as the closest level of government to the citizens in managing transition process is highlighted because they can better understand, inform, and guide local inhabitants, businesses and industries for achieving sustainability targets.The paper aims at assessing the efforts of local public authorities in transition toward low carbon mobility in Italy. To achieve this aim a mixed method analysis was applied. First, the analysis of qualitative data obtained from interviews with urban mobility stakeholders; used to design a framework for evaluating the role of local government in transition process. Then a quantitative analysis conducted on the data gathered through a questionnaire distributed to a sample of mobility managers (or transport responsible) in municipalities. The analyses provided a final framework showing how municipalities influence low carbon mobility transition process in Italy. In conclusion, municipalities’ strategies and plans have a direct effect on the final goals. These strategies are influenced by financial support and cooperative activities, while the level of cooperation is dependent on the attitudes of deciding authorities. The paper also discusses the need to identify challenges and impediments for sustainable urban mobility transitions which was highlighted by stakeholders but less valued by local authorities.

A multi-level perspective analysis of urban mobility system dynamics: What are the future transition pathways?

Transport sector is one of the main contributors to air pollution, greenhouse gases and CO2 emissions, specifically in urban areas, and is the only sector that has not yet achieved sustainability objectives. Increasing concerns about emissions from the transport sector highlight the need for urgent actions for change to more sustainable systems that consider the needs of all social groups, be more affordable and less polluted. Transition studies focus on actions and plans used to change the current system to more sustainable ones, a radical shift in incremental steps. Multi-level perspective considers the transition as a nonlinear process of change resulted from the interactions of social and technological factors at different levels. While most studies focused on historical transition reviews or future pathways and scenarios, this paper is a study of current system as the change process is performed. The paper aimed at identifying the main mobility regimes and dynamics of low carbon mobility transitions to see what are the current pathways and most probable pathways in the scope of 2030 targets. A comprehensive review of related literature combined with stakeholder interviews in a qualitative data analysis process to see what the driving and restraining forces of transition process are and which innovations has the greater potential to get aligned in future mobility regimes. The paper contributed to transition studies through combining multi stakeholder and MLP approach for detailed investigation of passenger urban mobility transition dynamics. The results can also help urban mobility planners to know the factors that can help or challenge them in planning for more sustainable transport systems.