Equitable Mobility Transition: Three Research Pillars
Dependence on private vehicles is neither environmentally sustainable nor socially equitable. Car-oriented urban development excludes many people—including those who cannot drive or cannot afford to own and maintain a vehicle—from full participation in everyday life. Meanwhile, although vehicle electrification is an important step toward reducing transportation emissions, replacing gasoline-powered vehicles with electric vehicles alone cannot overcome the broader environmental and social costs of car-dependent urban development, including high energy consumption, inefficient land use, and unequal access to opportunities.
These challenges call for an equitable mobility transition—a transformation toward transportation systems that are not only low-carbon but also inclusive. Such a transition is becoming increasingly urgent as cities respond to population aging, climate change, and rapid technological innovation. Addressing these interconnected challenges requires more integrated and collaborative approaches to transportation planning and governance.
My research investigates how cities can transition beyond car dependence toward equitable and sustainable mobility futures. My research examines the social consequences of car-dependent development, identifies the institutional and governance factors that reinforce it, and explores planning and policy pathways toward more inclusive, low-carbon transportation systems. I aim to generate actionable evidence that supports governments, planners, and communities in creating diverse mobility options that enable people of all ages, abilities, incomes, and backgrounds to participate fully in society.
As an interdisciplinary scholar with an international research agenda, my long-term vision is to build a research and education hub that advances equitable mobility transitions through comparative research across North America, Europe, and Asia. By integrating transportation planning, governance, and travel behavior research, I seek to bridge research and practice across different institutional contexts and contribute to the development of transportation systems that are environmentally sustainable, socially equitable, and resilient to future societal challenges.
My current and future research focuses on three interrelated pillars.