Agenda TUM.Mobility
Mobility is a basic human need. Active mobility plays an important role in healthy development and is a fundamental aspect of living independently to an advanced age. In mixed-use neighborhoods with a wide range of nearby destinations, more than half of all journeys are made by walking or cycling. Traffic safety is a duty of society especially for the most vulnerable. Safe and barrier-free access to traffic systems along with affordable and comfortable mobil ity are essential for social justice and cohesion in an open society.
But mobility is also a global challenge. More than 25% of the world's climate gas emissions are attributable to the transport sector. The political goals of the German federal government and global climate justice call for a reduction of at least 30 percent by 2030. Efforts to date have not yet brought about significant reductions in traffic-related CO₂ emissions, however. In addition, cities and communities with high traffic volumes suffer from the effects of noise and pollutants. These pose a threat to public health. Consequently, changes in mobility behavior are needed in addition to technological solutions.
The sustainable development of mobility means creating and preserving personal mobility options and reinforcing economic and social exchange processes while reducing environmental impacts so that the world can continue to meet the mobility needs of future generations.
Mobility issues also play a key role in the future viability of the economy. The transition from fossil fuels to alternative energy sources, the technological innovations of digitalization, mobile communications, and the rise of artificial intelligence are the drivers of transformative developments such as electromobility and autonomous driving.
At the same time, a social and economic transformation is taking place, spawning entirely new business models and mobility services – for example in the areas of car sharing and taxi services. The rapid growth of online commerce and on-demand consumption and production is also transforming urban traffic in the areas of logistics, services and business in general. The car industry faces an inevitable structural transformation and rethinking process.
The Technical University of Munich wishes to team up with its diverse partners to play a de cisive role in overcoming the challenges of shaping future mobility concepts while boosting Germany's economic and innovative strength.