Speaker
Description
Recently, the integration of electrical micro-mobility (EMM) into urban mobility and transformation has been extensively studied across various fields. However, its application in age-inclusive travel, particularly for school commuting among teenagers (ages 13–17), remains underexplored. Surprisingly, studies on EMM travel experiences indicate a growing interest among young students. This highlights the need to further explore the potential of implementing EMM in school travel, addressing a critical research gap in understanding how EMM could be integrated into school commuting. This study focuses on challenges, gaps, and the development of a conceptual framework, examining how positive travel experiences can strengthen and accelerate the transformation of school travel.
School travel is a fundamental component of urban mobility, contributing to urban vitality and the development of child-friendly environments. Over the past decades, research on school travel mode choice and behavior has identified key factors that either hinder or facilitate active and sustainable school commuting. Despite advancements in urban planning and the implementation of regulatory measures such as school traffic safety strategies, street segregation, and active school travel programs, existing frameworks have yet to provide teenagers with sustainable, enjoyable, and independent travel options. Moreover, teenagers’ mobility is often constrained by parental concerns regarding safety, limiting their ability to navigate urban spaces autonomously. Beyond serving as a mode of transportation, school travel plays a crucial role in fostering teenagers’ autonomy, encouraging engagement in active and sustainable mobility, enhancing social interactions, and providing access to after-school activities and broader opportunities. These insights encourage a shift beyond traditional travel modeling to emphasize the importance of teenagers’ travel experiences, self-sufficiency, and their long-term role in promoting sustainable mobility.
This paper reviews recent studies on school travel and urban policies and analyzes relevant projects on the implementation of EMM to examine how EMM can be adopted in school travel and enhance the school travel experience, particularly within walkable and cyclable school catchment areas. By evaluating key factors influencing EMM in the context of school travel and its alignment with teenagers' mobility needs, the study provides empirical evidence supporting its integration across diverse socio-economic contexts. The discussion further explores the implications of EMM adoption for urban policies and planning frameworks, emphasizing its role in fostering more inclusive and accessible transportation systems for future generations. The findings highlight how EMM can serve as a catalyst for shifting toward more sustainable and active school travel modes. While EMM may not entirely replace private vehicles or public transport, it offers a viable solution for short-distance trips and first- and last-mile connectivity. this study underscores the importance of teenagers’ travel experiences, self-sufficiency, and long-term contributions to sustainable mobility, offering critical insights for policymakers, urban planners, and transportation researchers.
| Keywords | Electrical Micro-Mobility (EMM), Active School Travel, Inclusive and Sustainable Mobility |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
