Community and mobility: why we need to think differently
Giles Perkins, Head of Profession, Future Mobility, WSP
The food we eat, the medicines we rely upon, our jobs, education and life opportunities are all dependent upon access, mobility and connectivity, which is why, argues WSP’s Giles Perkins, we need to start thinking differently about community and mobility
The physical and digital mycelium that now underpins our society is a system, a system of interdependencies, demands and supplies attempting to exist in some state of serviceable equilibrium.
As individuals, or as groups, we have needs and aspirations. These vary according to where we are in our own lives, but also socio-economically – those needs generally differ for those in the early stages of their careers, compared to those who are starting families or, those entering retirement. Similarly, employees, resources, and products create hugely varied mobility and logistics needs.
The communities within which we live, work, learn and play also vary significantly, from our core cities and their supporting suburbs to their rural hinterlands and our deep rural and coastal places. The underlying infrastructure, networks and services in those places influence the choices that people and organisations have (or, indeed, don’t have), to enable everything they do.
The underlying infrastructure, networks and services influence the choices that people and organisations have to enable everything they do
In parallel, our society and technology continue to evolve at pace, the digitalisation and decarbonisation of services continue to influence wider socio-economic trends, in turn influencing, when, where and how people, goods and services occur. The hype around new opportunities can be distracting, but failure to observe them could lead to missed opportunities.
Traditionally there was little link between transport services, the networks upon which they run and the customers they serve. With the convergence of digital solutions and the electrification of mobility there are now baked-in interdependencies that mean the mobility, digital and energy system is now one, indivisible and interdependent. Customers expect digital access and ‘green’ solutions, organisations have operational imperatives and ESG obligations, thus having similar, prescient needs.
It can be argued that transportation (including new mobility services) has for far too long been engrained in a siloed and modal view, largely adopting ‘build it they will come’ approaches rather than anticipating change and customer need, and being agile to them. The retail sector puts the customer at the heart of the equation, understanding the needs of its audience, anticipating shifts and trends almost in real time, tailoring provision and experiences to those of the buyers, and potential buyers, of their products.
Baked-in interdependencies mean the mobility, digital and energy system is now one, indivisible and interdependent
The existential challenges we face, whether from climate change and the need to decarbonise, digitalisation and the rise of AI, or the role of automation and ultimately autonomy – the only way we can tackle these challenges and capitalise upon emerging opportunities is to think about the mobility mycelium and put customers, places and their communities at the heart of that thinking.
Unless the transportation sector recognises that it is a consumer of the enabling digital and energy sources it needs to function and requires evidenced planning and ongoing agility to sustain long term delivery, we risk poor services, stranded assets and failing communities.
WSPs recent whitepaper New Mobility Next promotes a shift to thinking about the system. It advocates the active monitoring of the signals, trends and trajectories of change that influence our economy, it discusses the need to put the customer at the heart of system, and the imperative of planning for the diverse nature of our communities. This approach, framed within the existing and emerging resources and skills needed to manage change, provides a call to arms across the sector to enable on a more expansive approach.
Giles Perkins, Head of Profession, Future Mobility, WSP
Giles leads WSPs Future Mobility team in the UK and has over 30 years’ experience in futures, transportation and land use planning, digital and intelligent transport. He has worked in the public and private sectors as a senior client and director level consultant and, has led major projects across all modes. He has a detailed understanding of the strategic needs and opportunities surrounding the transport challenges that face our networks, regions, towns, cities and communities.
WSP is a partner organisation to Interchange, which takes place at Manchester Central on 27/28 February 2024.
Download the New Mobility Next whitepaper