In our increasingly mobile world, we are about to witness striking changes in the way we move through and between cities. With shared, autonomous and electric vehicles, a growing supply of renewable energy sources, completely new means of transportation and a multitude of other advancements in technology, the discussion on urban mobility is becoming more fascinating than ever.

The automobile industry has not undergone great changes in decades and market structures are still in many cases similar to how they were years ago. However, as the world’s cities are becoming increasingly congested and polluted, new business models and technologies are now emerging to solve the mobility challenge. In other words, the way that people get around cities is changing dramatically.

Transport is about more than just getting around. Decisions made within the industry result on how we engage with our cities, navigate and move beyond it. This is very impactful on which neighbourhoods thrive, and which don’t.

How is the way we move around changing?

While mobility options used to be limited to either driving a private car, bike or motorbike, using public transit or walking, the boundaries are now commencing to soften.

Technological development and new transportation services are allowing city dwellers to travel across town ever more efficiently and safely. Journey planner applications have already made combining different modalities easier. Autonomous vehicles, electric powertrains, car sharing, and other advances, among others, are transforming the urban mobility scene.

Since owning a car does not equal freedom like it did before, people are questioning weather they need to own a car or not. Services based on sharing rides, cars, deliveries, bikes, and other vehicles in conjunction with digital service platforms have become the norm in urban environments around the world. Mobility is becoming a service, and not owning a vehicle can offer flexibility not achieved otherwise.

Creating cities where urban mobility works for everyone

How can we design not just better mobility solutions, but better societies?

Transport is part of a cities foundation. All cities need better transport links, more efficient cars, smart subways and serviced roads to run smoothly, and considering this carefully can provide a better life quality for all those who call those cities home. As each city is unique, the transition to integrated mobility will also play out differently, and produce different results depending on the characteristics. Planning ahead can help cities capture the benefits of the shift, from cleaner air to easier journeys.

The dream of the future of mobility is to travel on demand in a way that is automated, personalized and on demand. From manufacturers and urban planners to entrepreneurs and such, people and businesses are taking the industry forward. The ways we move around have to keep pace, and more importantly the automotive industry needs to innovate to meet modern mobility demands.. Last year car maker Ford acquired Chariot, a San Francisco based ride-sharing company, which shows that the car maker is becoming more than a manufacturer — a mobility provider. As technology and innovation continues to inspire change, more and more entrepreneurs are getting involved.

Also, both the public mass transit and other services, as well as public policy decision makers, are taking advantages of data-collection, mobile technology and location-based services, in order to advance the choice amongst people.

According to an analysis conducted by McKinsey, the recents shifts in urban mobility could have profound economic and social impact. According to a McKinsey analysis 50 metropolitan areas around the world, and home to 500 million people, integrated mobility systems could produce benefits, such as improved safety and reduced pollution extending to $600 billion.

What trends are influencing urban mobility?

Fast-moving trends are influencing urban mobility systems around the world. Some trends, like the development of autonomous-driving technology, are related directly to mobility. Other trends will also have important, yet indirect, implications. These six global trends are likely to have the biggest impact on the development of integrated mobility in cities. As these trends converge, their effects could be increased and multiplied.

Shared mobility. Ride-hailing services have grown increasingly in the past few years and now compete not solely with traditional car-sharing and car-pooling providers but also with public transit and private vehicle ownership.

Autonomous driving. Advances in autonomous-driving technology promise to resolve road-safety concerns, reduce the cost of transportation, and turn driving time into free time.

Vehicle electrification. The spread of IoT applications into vehicles and infrastructure will generate data with a multiplicity of uses.

Public transit. Cities around the world are expanding and improving their public-transit networks.

Decentralization of energy systems.

Regulation. As advanced mobility services and technologies have penetrated cities, public officials at the city as well as on regional, and national levels have responded by establishing a selection of new regulations.

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