Recent report finds the UK at the forefront of transport innovation

Sir Patrick Vallance, Government Chief Scientific Adviser, has stated that “this is a time of unprecedented change in transport” at the launch of the Foresight Future of Mobility Report.

The report found that technologies such as self-driving and zero-emission vehicles will drive innovation in the future. Behavioural and social sciences will be essential to maximise the impact of these technologies, developing a clear understanding of how citizens and businesses make decisions and interact with the transport system.

Sir Patrick Vallance said: “Transport is more than just travel, it connects people, places and shapes the way we live. The UK was a pioneer of transport technologies throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, and we can be at the forefront of the next transport revolution.

“We must grasp the opportunities to fully exploit our potential and create a transport system fit for the future. To be successful, industry, academia and policy-makers will need to work together, with the user at the heart of the system.”

Data is a key element to the future of transport, and is expected to grow in importance between now and 2040. Therefore, the ability to use data to integrate different forms of transport, both passenger and freight, will be imperative.

Jesse Norman, Future of Mobility Minister, said: “We want our new Future of Mobility Grand Challenge to encourage innovations that will usher in an era of easier, safer and cleaner travel. But great innovation and rapid technological change need to be based on robust evidence and a deep understanding of human behaviour. This report is a very useful contribution to that evidence base.”

The report, published by the Government Office for Science, looks to 2040 and identifies areas in which society and government face key choices to capitalise on the opportunities change brings. It brings together evidence to inform the UK’s response to a range of challenges and opportunities, whilst considering a wide range of sources, through commissioning working papers, to organising roundtables.

While the report does not represent government policy, it provides further evidence that will help to inform the Future of Mobility Grand Challenge strategy.