Increased urbanization demands sustainable, accessible, and efficient public transport. Sweden focuses on increasing the share of people who travel by public transport, as well as implementing electrification and sustainable fuels to reduce carbon emissions, all of which contribute to improving the quality of life of its inhabitants.
Public transport systems play a crucial role in a city’s infrastructure by providing reliable and accessible mobility options for people within and across urban areas. A well-designed system can reduce traffic congestion, lower carbon emissions, and improve connectivity, making a city more livable and sustainable. Besides the environmental benefits, public transportation is essential for a city’s economic growth, supporting urban functions, and contributing to the prosperity of individuals, businesses, industries, and the public sector.
Image by Melker Dahlstrand/imagebnk.sweden.se
With the urgent global need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, transportation plays a large role. Sustainable and efficient public transport systems must be implemented successfully to contribute to these efforts. In Sweden, several ongoing pilot projects and large-scale initiatives are exploring the implementation of sustainable fuels, aligning with the national target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2045, and thereafter negative emissions.
K2 – the Swedish Knowledge Center for Collective Mobility – serves as a forum for sustainable public transport developments. Several ongoing research projects focus on areas such as artificial intelligence, environmental considerations in public procurement, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), and ensuring public transport with an equality perspective. In Gothenburg, the public-private ElectriCity project is testing innovative solutions for sustainable public transport.
The testing and application of new technologies in Sweden can be a source of inspiration for other cities. The experiences gained from these processes and project implementations can be shared and adapted, helping to inform the development of sustainable transport systems in urban areas around the world.
