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

  • An even more focused Vaisala
    March 28, 2013
    An important strategic task every company must do periodically is review products and make sure they match the goals and direction of the company. In March, Vaisala, the global weather solutions provider, concluded that three non-weather road transportation products no longer match its long term strategy, and thus sold these products to another company. Vaisala says the change will allow it to increase its already industry-leading innovations, such as the non-intrusive road weather sensors, and the Conditio
  • Extended EV charging infrastructure launched
    September 12, 2013
    UK city Corby is aiming to be a leading edge business location, with the launch of an extended electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. To complement the EV charge points already at Corby Station and the Corby Cube, charge points have been installed at a range of venues and businesses including the Holiday Inn, Adrenaline Alley and Corby Town Football Club. Corby now has one of the highest concentrations of charge points per head of population in the UK.
  • Toyota unveils online map for traffic in Japan
    July 18, 2019
    Toyota has released an online map which provides information on road closures and natural disasters in Japan. The company says users can check data from the past hour to 24 hours and carry out searches on areas of heavy traffic. The real-time data is based on the T-Connect/G-Book telematics service information from communications systems in Toyota’s vehicles, and the map is accessible from a smartphone, computer or other devices.
  • PolChip boosts parking management with CarFlow software
    March 20, 2018
    PolChip presents CarFlow for efficient parking management, including parking networks and integration with a client’s master system. CarFlow includes strictly business solutions like ERP but can also control various elements of car park and building infrastructure. CarFlow system is available on the cloud. It can also be based on the SaaS model – meaning no worries for clients about installation or data security. Software upgrades are remote and automatic, meaning even more convenience for clients.