Challenges

There are multiple transport and mobility challenges in areas beyond cities. They include:

• The lack of connectivity to support Connected Vehicles and the economic viability of building a suitable communications infrastructure.
• The cost of delivering subsidised public transport services in less-densely populated areas when public sector budgets are declining and transport costs are increasing. The resulting impacts on worker mobility and social inclusion are significant.

• The cost of last mile deliveries as online retail continues to grow. As physical retail stores decline, shoppers are more dependant on online retail for essential goods. This is resulting in more light delivery vehicles on the road, increasing congestion and emissions. For the delivery service providers, the economics of below-optimal payloads, longer delivery time in less populated areas and driver shortages are growing headaches.
• Transferring proven multi-modal transport innovations from city transit systems managed by a single regulator to areas with multiple service providers and regulators.
• Reducing emissions in areas where people have a high dependency on cars, poor alternative transport options, travel further distances than city residents, face range-anxiety problems already as fuel service stations continue to close and face more severe environments than city residents.

Details on how the Project Beyond Consortium is addressing these challenges here.