What’s next in transportation? The Future of Mobility series collects the perspectives of top University of Minnesota researchers and other national experts. In 17 articles, the authors scan the horizon and reflect on critical transportation topics such as rural transportation, automation, and speeding. Each article recommends action steps for public officials and policymakers.
The future of transportation will be a complex, interconnected set of practices and technologies, and this series from the Center for Transportation Studies (CTS) brings bold thinking together in one place.
“Much of this future will emerge from cutting-edge research and evolve from new innovations,” says Kyle Shelton, CTS director. “Other pieces will be simple improvements to our existing systems.”
For example, Carrie Henning-Smith recommends using existing rural transportation-related resources imaginatively. “This could include repurposing resources such as school buses to meet a larger community need,” she writes. Another recommendation is to dedicate sustained investment in rural infrastructure—including support for rural broadband internet expansion.
Many rural areas are home to tourism and outdoor recreation. Xinyi Qian advises state legislatures and public agencies to recognize the unique mobility challenges faced by these communities and ensure they have adequate financial and planning support to address them. “This is particularly pertinent with emerging technologies,” she writes, citing the need for electric vehicle charging stations and automation-ready infrastructure.