Driving Sustainable Development: The Crucial Role of Mobility in Advancing the SDGs
Driving Sustainable Development: The Crucial Role of Mobility in Advancing the SDGs
In shaping the evolving landscape of mobility, digitalization, NextGen funding initiatives, Low Emission Zones, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined in Agenda 2030 by the WHO stand out as pivotal drivers. These elements collectively underscore the urgent need to transition towards sustainable and clean mobility solutions, particularly within urban environments.
Prioritizing the attainment of sustainable and clean mobility within cities necessitates concerted efforts and collaboration among diverse stakeholders. This collaborative approach spans across public administrations, where the establishment of robust digital infrastructures is paramount, to both public and private transport operators. Additionally, it encompasses platforms facilitating the creation of a seamless, multimodal transport network that prioritizes sustainability and places citizens at its core.
n a recent interview with María José Rallo, the General Secretary of Transportation and Mobility at the Ministry of Transportation, Mobility, and Urban Agenda, underscored the overarching imperative to prioritize sustainability in mobility. According to Rallo, sustainable mobility stands as a linchpin for fostering cleaner, healthier urban environments and enhancing overall quality of life. Highlighting the significance of connected mobility and Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platforms, Rallo emphasized their pivotal role in leveraging technology and digitalization to advance mobility objectives. She pointed out that these platforms are instrumental in enhancing user experience, optimizing transport efficiency, and addressing regulatory hurdles. Moreover, Rallo stressed the importance of fostering collaboration between public and private sectors to effectively navigate the complexities of the evolving mobility landscape.
The Perfect Moment for Implementing Mobility Solutions
Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we are at the perfect moment to implement mobility solutions, driven by MaaS platforms as indicated by Rallo, aimed at modern, smart, and sustainable cities.
- Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing: Personalized applications allow users to choose healthy routes, promoting active mobility.
- Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: information sharing among different transport operators, combining public and private transport and employing innovative validation systems.
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: Platforms improves access to suitable, affordable, and safe transportation for the entire population, encouraging a reduction in environmental impact.
- Goal 13: Climate Action: contributes to reducing carbon footprints and promoting multimodal transport.
How Can a Mobility as a Service (MaaS) Platform Contribute to Achieving SDGs?
Integrating various urban mobility services into a single application aims to achieve several important outcomes:
Reduce CO2 emissions: MaaS promotes the use of sustainable transport modes like public transit, bicycles, car-sharing, and electric vehicles, contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions and environmental impact.
Decrease travel time: By consolidating multiple transport options within one platform, MaaS enables users to plan efficient routes, minimizing travel time and optimizing their journey experience.
Lower petrol consumption: Through the encouragement of eco-friendly and fuel-efficient transport alternatives, MaaS plays a significant role in reducing petrol consumption, thereby mitigating environmental pollution and dependence on fossil fuels.
Enhance traffic management: MaaS solutions often incorporate real-time traffic monitoring and management systems, facilitating smoother traffic flow, reducing congestion, and improving overall urban mobility.
Savings for users: MaaS users benefit from cost comparison features, enabling them to select more economical transportation options for their trips. Additionally, by embracing shared mobility services instead of individual vehicle ownership, users can save on fuel, maintenance, and parking expenses.
Foster shared mobility: MaaS platforms promote the adoption of shared transportation services like carpooling and ride-sharing, leading to fewer vehicles on the road, reduced congestion, and a more sustainable urban transport ecosystem.
To support cities in achieving their sustainability objectives, a localized approach is essential for building user trust in connected mobility platforms. Recognizing that mobility needs vary greatly between cities, a one-size-fits-all solution is often impractical.
Emphasizing efficiency and sustainability, the mobility sector is increasingly embracing digitalization to promote active, multimodal, and eco-friendly transportation options. By digitizing various aspects of the mobility landscape, we aim to create more interconnected cities where residents can enjoy a higher quality of life.
