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”.

Enforcement

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • China Mobile to trial 5G smart expressway in Hubei province
    February 15, 2019
    Telecoms company China Mobile is working with highway operators to unveil a 5G-based smart expressway programme in China’s central Hubei province. A report by Ecns.com says the company’s Hubei subsidiary is taking steps to choose sites for 5G stations, test intelligent tolling systems and prepare for trials involving driverless cars. China Mobile’s Hubei branch is working with the group’s tech subsidiary in Shanghai and with Hubei Provincial Communications Investment to investigate how ultrafast 5G
    Read More
  • Kapsch tackles rapidly evolving urban mobility
    March 20, 2018
    Urban mobility in today’s cities is evolving at a rapid pace. Cities are facing huge challenges oneased congestion. Additionally, in this transitional period cities are also faced with the evolution of urban mobility, with new mobility services such as electric and connected/autonomous vehicles. This requires an urgent need for urban traffic management and integrated mobility. Against this background, Kapsch is demonstrating live how
    Read More
  • Moovit: Gut feelings no match for data
    August 7, 2019
    Cities that bring in mobility services without data might be missing out on areas where demand is highest. Ben Spencer talks to Moovit’s Alon Shantzer about how the company is helping customers to pinpoint the right locations Launching mobility services without taking into account public transportation data can lead to chaos in cities. That’s the view of Alon Shantzer, vice president international sales at Moovit, the Mobility as a Service (MaaS) provider and transit app. “The data we have can define
    Read More
  • ITS America ‘disappointed’ at Toyota V2X decision
    May 9, 2019
    Trade association ITS America has expressed disappointment that Toyota is pausing its Vehicle to Everything (V2X) deployment in the US. The Japanese car maker sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) saying that a lack of activity from other manufacturers on V2X – plus uncertainty over the regulatory position – had led to the decision. In a statement, ITS America said it was ‘disappointed’, adding: “We appreciate Toyota’s leadership and commitment to life-saving V2X technology.” Th
    Read More

Highlighted Content