The Contributions of Physical Mobility to Efficiency and Equity in Global Metropolitan Centers

Martin Wachs, Director
Transportation, Space and Technology
The RAND Corporation

Abstract:

Mobility and increased access to transportation are among the most important global forces for the alleviation of poverty.  This is especially true in the most rapidly changing  areas of the world, exemplified by China.   It is also true in mature and stable economies where there remain huge gaps in mobility between rich and poor. Growing concern over the need to address global sustainability focuses attention on the rise in greenhouse gases that is increasingly associated with increases in mobility.  It is often suggested that improved mobility will have to be sacrificed in order to achieve sustainability.   This presentation examines tradeoffs between the importance of mobility in economic development and the need to reduce the production of greenhouse gases in order to achieve global sustainability.  The attainment of “sustainable mobility” requires increased global access to goods, services, education, and economic opportunity alongside reductions in the production of greenhouse gases.  The attainment of one cannot be made an excuse for foregoing the other. Transportation technology, policy and planning must address the twin goals of improving mobility while decreasing production of greenhouse gases.