White Paper A Field Guide to the Future of Mobility

The document argues that urban mobility must shift from a focus on individual car ownership and fragmented infrastructure toward integrated 'systems of systems' that prioritize accessibility over mere mobility. It advocates for a systematic 'Avoid, Shift, Improve' approach and emphasizes the role of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in enabling Mobility as a Service (MaaS). The guide outlines a seven-step process for transformation—ranging from multi-stakeholder dialogue and system mapping to strategic investment and evaluation—and provides ten 'deep dive' recommendations with global examples of best practices in data integration, demand-responsive transport, and alternative fuel adoption.

• The document proposes a systematic three-part framework for sustainable access: avoiding unnecessary movement through localization and tele-services, shifting transport choices toward shared and connected models, and improving the efficiency and sustainability of existing mobility modes.
• Rapid urbanization and population growth are creating an explosion in mobility demand; forecasts suggest that by 2050, an additional 2.5 billion people will live in cities, and urban mobility demand will increase to 2.6 times current levels.
• Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is a primary enabler of the 'shared economy' and Mobility as a Service (MaaS), allowing for the seamless connection of multiple transport modes and reducing the need for physical travel through digital services.
• Effective urban mobility transformation requires a shift in policy from choosing specific 'winners' or rigid regulations toward flexible platforms and frameworks that prioritize 'accessibility' (the ability to meet needs) over 'mobility' (the act of moving).
• The guide recommends ten specific 'deep dive' areas for improvement, including the creation of open data platforms for interoperability, the promotion of demand-responsive shared transport, and the implementation of incentives for alternative fuel vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Public-private innovation (PPI) is essential for 'connecting the dots' between fragmented transport assets, involving a wide range of actors from city planners and CEOs to NGOs and academics to create resilient urban ecosystems.

APA

World Economic Forum (2016). White Paper A Field Guide to the Future of Mobility. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/IP/2016/MO/WEF_IP_AU_AFieldGuideFutureMobility2016.PDF

Chicago

World Economic Forum. White Paper A Field Guide to the Future of Mobility. 2016. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/IP/2016/MO/WEF_IP_AU_AFieldGuideFutureMobility2016.PDF.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=White Paper A Field Guide to the Future of Mobility |date=January 2016 |url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/IP/2016/MO/WEF_IP_AU_AFieldGuideFutureMobility2016.PDF |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2016white, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{White Paper A Field Guide to the Future of Mobility}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2016}, month = jan, url = {http://www3.weforum.org/docs/IP/2016/MO/WEF_IP_AU_AFieldGuideFutureMobility2016.PDF}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }