They will be catching state-of-art public transport, riding bikes or even walking the final stage according to a key advocate for smarter cities

Three quarters of Coast workers still commute by car, but a new strategy from the Smart Cities Council outlines six essential steps to greater urban mobility and better cities.

Mobility Now, released as part of the recent Smart Cities Week, was prepared by the Council’s Urban Mobility Task Force, a group which advocates for sustainable and inclusive mobility solutions that build livable cities.

Smart Cities Council Executive Director Adam Beck is leading the charge to make the workforce more mobile.

“Advancing technological capabilities, new service delivery models and unprecedented city growth create great opportunities as well as urgent pressures to deliver new mobility solutions,” he said.

“Australia’s population is projected to grow by 24%, reaching 31.4 million by 2036. Nearly 80% of this growth will be accommodated in our four largest cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.

“At the same time, Infrastructure Australia estimates that that road and public transport congestion could cost the economy $40B by 2031.

“We know half of all commuters in our capital cities live within 10 km of their workplace – and as much as a third live within five km. And yet most still drive. Our challenge is to boost transport options that help people overcome the first and last mile hurdle.

“If just five per cent of driver-only commuters shifted to micro-mobility – cycling, scooting or walking in combination with public transport – we would remove 300,000 cars from Australia’s daily commuter traffic, while helping people’s wallets and waistlines,” Mr Beck said.

The Mobility Now strategy outlines six clear steps:
1. Adapt and re-design the urban built environment.
2. Develop a new urban mobility operating system.
3. Introduce more accessible and equitable mobility.
4. Embrace a global 21st century urban mobility data system.
5. Create a new mobility incentives regime.
6. Implement new decision making and strategy development practices.

“These six actions must be taken now to address the challenges associated with the ‘first and last mile’ problem and enable uptake of more sustainable transport modes,” Mr Beck said.

“Mobility Now is not about pitching cars against bikes or pedestrians, but about curating a more balanced mix of transport modes to enhance the livability, sustainability and workability of our cities – not to mention the health and wellbeing of our citizens.”

About the Smart Cities Council

Smart Cities Council is the world’s largest network of smart cities companies, practitioners and policy makers. It envisions a world where digital technology, data and intelligent design are harnessed to create smart, sustainable cities with high-quality living and high-quality jobs. www.smartcitiescouncil.com