Selling the future of mobility

Posted on Feb , 20, 2012 by Ben Sampson

Although focussed on Europe, this blog does not close its eyes to the rest of the world, especially with regards to clever ideas about how the future of transport should look.

Wheelchange (a play on the words ‘real change’), challenges the perception that all Americans love large automobiles. Brainchild of transportation designer and social entrepreneur Dan Sturges, the project aims to change the way US consumers perceive what he calls “network transportation”, but what most Europeans would call public transport.

Wheelchange is slightly more than that and points to the fact that ICT has yet to be applied to transportation in a massive way. By joining together different modes of transport and making them accessible via ICT like apps and smartphones, different methods of transport become more accessible to the individual as they form a journey.

However, Sturges accepts that any changes to urban transport in the US needs substantial “buy-in” from the public and goes on to suggest the initial campaign to attempt to change public opinion.

His theme of “winning back” cities from the car is an attractive hook, and strikes a chord. The video by Sturges at the link below makes for fascinating viewing - summing up his approach, the changing face of transport in the US and how to solve the problems.

New Wheels for Joe from Dan Sturges on Vimeo.