Inclusive Mobility: Building sustainable transportation systems accessible to all
Across Europe, work is being carried out to increase the connectivity, accessibility and inclusivity of transport systems. The aim is to foster mobility as a universal right, which is essential to access other rights such as housing, work, education and health. An inclusive transport system provides ease of movement and ensures unrestricted access to jobs and services for all potential passengers and people, no matter their circumstances. These include people of different ages, gender, economic or social status, hereunder ethnic minorities and people with temporary or permanent vulnerabilities or disabilities. Currently, over 80 million Europeans have a long-term disability that may include physical, mental, sensory or intellectual challenges. While disabled citizens are at a high risk of social exclusion, making all transport modes available to them is a means to safeguard their mobility rights, their access to necessary services (housing, work, health, education, recreation, etc.) and thus their active participation in society.
Mobility for all
The European Commission’s Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, as outlined in the European Green Deal, lays the foundation for how the EU transport system can achieve its green and digital transformation, while making mobility fair and just for all. This means promoting people-centred mobility and making transport infrastructure and services affordable and accessible in all regions, for all passengers . The Women in Transport - EU Platform for change, set up in 2017, aims to address the sector’s gender gap by encouraging an open dialogue on issues affecting women working in the sector. Moreover, the Diversity Ambassadors in Transport, established in 2022, already includes 84 advocates who are working to spread the message on diversity, equality, and inclusion in the sector. The integration of socio-economic, behavioural and societal determinants into transport planning, thinking and practice will result in transport and mobility policies that reflect the values, needs and expectations of an inclusive, fair and just society. Co-creating people-centred mobility solutions with neighbourhood inhabitants, building child-friendly streets and public spaces, giving citizens a say in designing transport systems and making women feel safe on public transport are all concrete examples of actions and measures implemented through EU-funded research and innovation projects that are shifting the narrative of transport and mobility policies towards inclusivity and fairness.
Spotlight on EU research
This CORDIS Results Pack focuses on 11 projects funded under the EU’s Horizon 2020 research programme. They depict societal drivers and users’ behaviours that encourage the take-up and deployment of sustainable mobility solutions, services and infrastructure. They also illustrate the need for an inclusive, accessible, affordable and fair transport system for all, irrespective of age, gender, economic or social status. The projects explore themes such as women’s participation in the transport sector, be it as users or employees; transport services’ inclusivity and accessibility for people with temporary or permanent vulnerabilities, disabilities or reduced mobility; how new lifestyles and values or environmental and climate concerns shape our transport system and lead to a new mobility culture. The (Cities-4-People project used a people-oriented approach to improve mobility and increase urban sustainability for the urban and peri-urban areas of five EU cities. DIAMOND developed data-driven recommendations and tools for more equitable and sustainable mobility services. DIGNITY proposed a new approach for urban transport based on the concept of a digital inclusive travel system, which addresses the needs of all users. HANDSHAKE brought together experts and local authorities to implement over 60 solutions to drive the performance of 13 of Europe’s top cycling cities. INDIMO developed a digital mobility toolbox to help design and evaluate inclusive transport solutions. Metamorphosis aimed to transform neighbourhoods with a focus on children by working with its partner cities to implement measures that promote the fair use of urban public spaces and streets. Park4SUMP aimed to help cities integrate innovative parking management solutions into Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans, or SUMPs, for better mobility and quality of life. Under the REBALANCE project, legislators, industry players and ordinary citizens joined together to examine four models of mobility culture – strength, justice, connection and speed – to take a close look at the needs and values of our contemporary society. SUNRISE developed new, collaborative ways to address common mobility challenges at the neighbourhood level through ‘Neighbourhood Mobility Labs’. TInnGO developed gender- and diversity-sensitive smart mobilities and solutions for sustainable European transport. TRIPS addressed the challenge of social exclusion faced by disabled people and the elderly by involving them in the design of future transport solutions in seven European pilot cities.
