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ReSET Mobility

Section Lead: Michael Steinwandter
Contributors: Michael Steinwandter, Jess Delves, Alberto Dianin, Manuel Perez

The mobility and transportation sector is the most emitting sector in South Tyrol, amounting to 45% of the total emissions (1.170 Mt CO2e out of the total 2.611 Mt) (Sparber et al. 2022). Within this sector, private cars are the largest emitters (56%) followed by heavy freight transport (32%) and light freight transport (7%). The emissions mainly come from the combustion of fossil fuels such as Diesel and Petrol, and also Methane and LPG. Further, this type of engine is responsible for direct pollutants (i.e. air and from tire wear particles) and noise exposure.

Therefore, it is of highest priority to reduce the emissions in this sector. Decarbonization measurements should be implemented in the three levels of the public administration, private sector, and on citizen level.

Public Administration

Public Transportation

Objective and expected benefits: Expand and Invest in Public Transport (Train, Bus, Cable Cars). Ensure that public transport options are available and usable by everyone, including those with disabilities. Implement pricing structures that make public transport cost-effective for all income levels. Increase the frequency and coverage of services to reduce waiting times and make transport options more viable for daily commutes. Expand the network to cover more areas, particularly those currently underserved. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the use of clean energy vehicles and a decrease in the number of private cars on the road. Pursuing these objectives comes with an extensive list of expected benefits such as lowering transportation costs for individuals and families thus reducing disparities, and potential savings for public budgets through efficient transport systems. Reduced air and noise pollution, leading to better health outcomes and decreased healthcare costs. Decreased traffic congestion, increased overall individual mobility, and more efficient urban transport. Reduced reliance on fossil fuels by using locally produced clean energy directly. Frees up space, particularly in urban areas, such as parking lots, which can be repurposed to foster social relationships and increase recreational and green areas which in turn alleviate urban heat islands. Decreased road accidents. Reduced material consumption through shared use of vehicles and infrastructure.

How to reach the objectives:

  • expand and increase efficiency in public transport possibilities (green mobility)
  • invest massively in well-designed train infrastructure, elaborate holistic plan (BBT)
  • reactivate old and increase (partially double lane) train tracks (e.g. Bruneck → Sand in Taufers, Toblach → Cortina)
  • public and active transport have to be the fastest and cheapest modes to get around (example: Japan)
  • leisure activities (hiking, skiing, climbing etc.) have to become better accessible by public and active transportation (Train → Kronplatz, early busses for hikers)
  • increase and invest in electric car-sharing infrastructure
  • Develop digital public services (e.g. healthcare) that allow avoiding unnecessary trips
  • Develop broadband coverage
  • provide more and easily accessible car sharing/rental opportunities (also outside cities)
  • public information campaigns to remove negative connotations towards public transport and to stop fetishising cars
  • MIMS: decarbonize transportation (report)
  • The Superblock concept, that successfully reduces traffic in block-like structured cities such as Barcelona can also be adopted for non-block urban geographies.
  • develop Mobility-on-Demand systems (low-emission Alm-taxis)
  • demand-responsive shared/public transport in rural areas where demand is low and therefore conventional public transport can be more energy intensive than other options (e.g. car sharing, carpooling, private but electric cars)

Increase Micro-Mobility

Objective and expected benefits: Increasing micromobility options can significantly enhance the physical and mental wellbeing of citizens by promoting active transportation methods, such as walking, cycling, and the use of e-scooters. These alternatives reduce the negative impacts associated with motorized mobility, such as energy consumption and traffic congestion, while still allowing people to access essential services, jobs, and education. Moreover, enhancing micromobility provides a way for people to meet their daily needs more efficiently, without necessarily increasing travel distances or time, leading to a more sustainable and accessible urban environment.

How to reach the objectives:

  • Expand infrastructure dedicated to micromobility, such as bike lanes, e-scooter parking zones, and pedestrian-friendly streets as in “Walkable cities”.
  • Implement subsidies or financial incentives for purchasing or renting (e-)bikes, e-scooters (e.g. bici bonus, bike-to-work schemes, tax-free bike purchase incentives, school bikebuses, etc.).
  • Establish bike- and scooter-sharing systems, integrated with public transport to encourage multimodal travel.
  • Introduce public awareness campaigns to promote the benefits of micromobility and encourage its adoption.
  • Create safe, accessible, and well-maintained micromobility pathways to foster greater user confidence.
  • Adapt traffic lights to reduce traveling time, especially when raining (giving cyclists priority).
  • Collaborate with local businesses and schools to provide incentives or facilities supporting active travel modes, such as showers, bike storage, or repair stations.

Rethink Administration’s Mobility

Objective and expected benefits: By rethinking the mobility practices of public administration, the government can serve as a role model for citizens, encouraging more sustainable transportation habits. This shift would lead to a reduction in car traffic, particularly in urban areas like Bozen/Bolzano, easing congestion and decreasing pollution. Additionally, it would lower the reliance on fossil fuels, contributing to broader climate goals. Through these changes, the public administration would also help raise awareness about alternative, eco-friendly travel options, ultimately fostering a culture of sustainable mobility.

How to reach the objectives:

  • Implement travel policies that prioritize the use of public transportation, bicycles, and walking for administrative staff.
  • Reduce the administrative vehicle fleet where possible, transition the remainder to electric vehicles.
  • Introduce incentives for public servants to adopt sustainable travel modes (e.g., subsidized public transport passes, bike-sharing programs).
  • Encourage telecommuting and virtual meetings to reduce the need for travel.
  • Launch a public awareness campaign to highlight the administration’s commitment to sustainable mobility and promote available travel alternatives.
  • Collaborate with local governments and organizations to enhance public transportation infrastructure and services in the province.

Private Sector

Reduce emissions by heavy freight transport

Objective and expected benefits: A major polluter of the mobility sector at current is heavy fright transport. Shift to train. Make heavy fright transport emission-free (BEV, FCV). Make the A22 a green corridor. A shift to micromobility (post, parcel, services) will help decrease the reliance on heavy fright transport. Reducing emissions from heavy freight transport will lead to lower air and noise pollution, making urban and rural environments healthier and more livable. This shift will reduce reliance on fossil fuels, cut down traffic congestion, and free up valuable urban space—such as parking lots—which can be repurposed to foster social connections, create recreational areas, and increase green spaces. Additionally, by decreasing the carbon footprint of freight transport, road safety will improve, while material consumption related to vehicle use and infrastructure maintenance will also decrease.

How to reach the objectives:

  • Promote the use of electric or hybrid trucks and incentivize the adoption of cleaner vehicle technologies.
  • Support the shift to rail or waterborne freight for long-distance transport, reducing the dependence on road-based logistics.
  • Encourage logistics companies to implement load optimization strategies and shared freight services to minimize the number of trips.
  • Enforce stricter emissions standards for heavy vehicles, including mandatory regular maintenance and updates.
  • Develop urban logistics hubs outside city centers to reduce the presence of heavy vehicles in congested urban areas.
  • Collaborate with local governments to repurpose urban spaces freed up by reduced freight traffic into parks, community areas, or bike lanes.
  • Support research and development of alternative fuels such as hydrogen or biofuels for heavy freight vehicles.
  • Implement time-restricted delivery windows to avoid peak hours and reduce congestion in urban centers.

Avoid and reduce mobility of private sector companies and businesses

Objective and expected benefits: Reducing and avoiding unnecessary mobility within private sector companies and businesses will lead to similar benefits as reducing freight emissions. It will lower air and noise pollution, reduce fossil fuel dependence, decrease traffic congestion, and free up urban spaces for social and recreational uses, while also reducing the overall carbon footprint. Additionally, by limiting travel, businesses can increase operational efficiency, lower transportation costs, and promote a healthier work-life balance for employees. Fewer vehicles on the road can also result in fewer accidents and lower material consumption for transport-related infrastructure.

How to reach the objectives:

  • Promote telecommuting and remote work policies to minimize employee commutes and business travel.
  • Encourage the adoption of digital tools and virtual meetings to reduce the need for in-person client or inter-office meetings.
  • Incentivize companies to create local hubs or shared workspaces closer to employees, minimizing the need for long-distance commuting.
  • Introduce carbon reduction or mobility quotas for businesses, encouraging them to track and reduce their transport-related emissions.
  • Establish corporate mobility budgets that reward sustainable travel (public transport, cycling, carpooling) and penalize excessive business trips or high-emission travel options.
  • Foster partnerships with shared logistics and delivery services to optimize the transportation of goods, reducing redundant trips.
  • Encourage businesses to implement flexible working hours to avoid peak travel times, alleviating congestion and spreading demand for transport infrastructure.
  • Support the development of local supply chains, allowing businesses to source materials and services closer to their operational centers, reducing transportation needs.
  • Create urban planning frameworks that cluster businesses and services geographically to facilitate access by walking, biking, or public transport rather than car travel.

Citizen

Reduce reliance and use of private cars

A switch from privately owned cars to other modes of mobility like public transport, car sharing or soft mobility will have the benefit of reduced pollution, reduced reliance on fossil fuels on, however, by not just transitioning to privately owned electric vehicles we will gain additional benefits, such as reduced traffic and congestion, frees up space particularly in urban areas (e.g. parking lots) that can be used to increase the amount of recreational areas and thereby foster social relationships, decreased road accidents, reduced material consumption and reduced noise burden.

Active mobility is shown to improve physical and mental wellbeing.

Shift to battery electric vehicles

Electric cars and electric bikes reduce air pollution and are a key technology in the transition away from fossil fuels.

Travelling and flights

Rethink holiday destinations (choose destinations where you can stay on the ground). Shift to low-emission transportation (no short-haul flights, trains and busses, night trains, cycling trips)