New mobility alliance ushered in to better harness tech disruptors
18 January 2019
by Jonathan Andrews
A New Urban Mobility Alliance (NUMO) has been launched to guide policymakers, the private sector and people to better incorporate ride-hailing, dockless bikes, scooters, and autonomous vehicles in their cities.
Hosted by WRI Ross Center, NUMO is an outgrowth of the Shared Mobility Principles for Liveable Cities, onto which more than 170 companies and governments have signed.
The alliance has been started with a US$6 million seed grant from philanthropist Stephen Ross, and will promote blueprints and guidelines produced by NGO allies for how to think about and regulate new mobility modes. It will also collect and experiment with new ways to engage the public, scan research on new mobility, and commission research to fill gaps.
“The pace of innovation and disruption on city streets is forcing everyone–residents, city staff, regulators, and the private sector–to rethink long-held assumptions,” said Robin Chase, Executive Chair of the NUMO Steering Committee and Zipcar Co-Founder. “It presents us with the opportunity to correct current problems and remake cities for the twenty-first century.”
Chase told Cities Today that the alliance will work to promote environments where active and shared modes can thrive. Referring to the Shared Mobility Principles, she said the alliance will encourage efficient use of curbs and lanes which makes the use of bicycles and scooters safer, and the pick-up and drop-off of passengers and goods easier.
“In five years, we’d like to see public space, walking, micro-vehicles, a health public transit system and shared vehicles, and all intensively used vehicles being electric be the ‘new normal’ for cities,” she added. “Planning, regulations, zoning, and use will now privilege these new ways of getting around.”
Chase said the alliance will begin work on the ground in a handful of cities that have committed mayors who are trying to make changes with enabling legislation.
“We hope to provide support to ensure that these efforts are successful, with careful and targeted efforts to build support on decision-makers and community members,” she added.
Harriet Tregoning, will lead NUMO as its director. She served under former US president Obama in housing and urban development and was instrumental during her time in city government helping expand Washington DC’s cycling infrastructure.
In the coming months, NUMO working groups will begin developing work plans and initial projects.
