Skip to main content

Rapidly-changing mobility environment is challenging policymakers, says UK DfT

Policy makers are working hard to make sense of a rapidly-changing mobility environment, according to a senior official from the UK’s Department for Transport (DfT). Ella Taylor, DfT’s head, future of mobility, Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (C/AV), says the pace of development in transportation modes, such as e-scooters (not currently allowed in the UK) and e-bikes (which are), presents difficulties for governments trying to create standards and laws. “Across the globe, different modes
January 25, 2019 Read time: 2 mins

Policy makers are working hard to make sense of a rapidly-changing mobility environment, according to a senior official from the UK’s 1837 Department for Transport (DfT).

Ella Taylor, DfT’s head, future of mobility, Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (C/AV), says the pace of development in transportation modes, such as e-scooters (not currently allowed in the UK) and e-bikes (which are), presents difficulties for governments trying to create standards and laws.

“Across the globe, different modes challenge the way we are doing regulation,” she told the Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum in London this week.

When it comes to hot-button issues such as AVs, she said that removing the driver from the equation is going to have a positive impact on road safety – but events such as 8336 Uber’s %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external fatal crash false http://www.itsinternational.com/sections/general/news/uber-seeks-to-resume-av-trials-nearly-eight-months-after-arizona-fatality/ false false%> in Arizona emphasise the need for explanation and reassurance.

“How do you juggle that challenging situation and make the public understand why you’re supporting this strategy?” she said.

The DfT plans to release a strategy on the future of urban mobility “soon”.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Aimsun merges all companies in the group into one name
    October 27, 2017
    Aimsun has announced that all companies in the group are no longer called TSS-Transport Simulation Systems are now consolidated into the Aimsun name. They also have a new UK office based at Aimsun Ltd, Waterhouse Square, 138 Holborn, London, EC1N 2SW.
  • European Commission: tighter rules for safer/cleaner cars
    December 12, 2017
    The European Commission (EC), European Parliament and the Council have reached a political agreement on the commission proposal from January 2016 to raise the quality level and independence of type-approval and testing before a car is placed on the market. It would enable the EC to be able to initiate EU-wide recalls and impose penalties on manufacturers or technical services of up to €30,000 (£26,000) per non-compliant car.
  • Agendum changes name as it moves into smart cities solutions
    April 5, 2019
    Enforcement systems specialist Agendum has rebranded to Parkius as it prepares to expand its services to include smart city solutions. Agendum says users of its parking solution can then use smart data services for monitoring and predicting traffic and parking intensity or inspect traffic signs, street furniture or other objects in the public space. The company’s new website is www.parkius.io
  • Optex to exhibit Viik vehicle detectors
    March 20, 2018
    Optex will showcase two above ground ViiK vehicle detectors currently deployed in Europe, Middle East and Africa at Intertraffic. The solutions are said to be ideal for sites where ground loops cannot be installed, such as where the road surface is damaged, unsealed, paved with cobblestones or above drains or pipes. The OVS-01GT is said to be designed for gate, barrier or industrial door activation and combines microwave with ultrasonic technology to sense a vehicle’s movement and presence. It is suited f