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

  • CurbFlow looks at PUDO in Washington, DC
    July 4, 2019
    The District Department of Transportation (DDoT) in Washington, DC is working with CurbFlow to carry out the next phase of its kerbside pick-up and drop-off (PUDO) programme. DDoT says the programme allocates kerbside space for PUDO activities, allowing passenger and commercial loading to occur at the kerb and out of travel lanes. Jeff Marootian, DDoT director, says: “By exploring new kerbside management options through this partnership with CurbFlow, DDoT is able to keep traffic flowing, maximise effic
    Read More
  • ITS America declare Detroit as success
    October 24, 2014
    ITS America, organisers of the 2014 ITS World Congress in Detroit, has declared the event a great success with more than 9,100 participants, 700 papers and 300 exhibiters plus the most extensive set of demonstrations ever staged. The introduction of Chief Technology Officer sessions was considered a big success attracting almost 800 attendees.
    Read More
  • RTA Dubai and Next Future Transport launch autonomous pods
    February 15, 2018
    The Roads Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai, in collaboration with Next Future Transport, is testing autonomous mobility pods on the sidelines of the World Government Summit as part of its effort under the future accelerators initiatives. The trial also supports the city's Self-Driving Strategy to make 25% of public transport autonomous by 2030. These pods are designed with the intention of travelling short and medium distances in dedicated lanes and can be coupled in 15 to 20 seconds or detached, depen
    Read More
  • Australian tolling forum attracts international speakers
    April 16, 2014
    Tolling experts from Australia, Asia, Europe and the USA will address the National Electronic Tolling Committee Industry Forum to be held in Sydney, Australia from 27 to 29 May 2014. More than 120 tolling industry executives from government policy makers, infrastructure providers, toll road operators, and equipment, technology and service suppliers make this the Asia Pacific region’s largest tolling conference. The Forum theme Tolling into the Future will cover infrastructure, charging, collection, e
    Read More

Highlighted Content