Reimagining Motion
High Volume Transport Applied Research Programme
Reimagining Motion is our podcast for the High Volume Transport Applied Research Programme (HVT). In our latest season we explore infrastructure and transport systems development in South Asia and what it needs to look like in the futureEach episode draws on the latest HVT research, case studies and newly developed frameworks offering insights and practical ideas for addressing climate change in the land transport sector. HVT is funded by the UK's Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office. The views expressed do not represent the views of the UK government.
The impact of heatwaves on women commuters in India with Dr Deepty Jain
In this episode we speak with Dr Deepty Jain of the the Indian Institute of Technology, about the work being done to assess the impact of heatwaves on women when traveling in India, and potential solutions. LinksGender and income based variability in travel choices in Vishakhapatnam, IndiaHot weather and travel: how best to meet the needs of women in DelhiGendered approach of addressing adaptation capacity to hot conditionsNarrating Lives/Labour: Documenting Domestic Labour in KolkataLea...
Sustainable and climate resilient transport in Asia Pacific with Jamie Leather
In this final episode of season 6, we speak with Jamie Leather, Director of the Transport Sector of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). What strategies need to be adopted to decarbonize transport in the region? What role will electric vehicles play in the transition towards sustainable and low carbon transport? How can Asia achieve a just transition in the transport sector? And what approaches to and what approaches to adaptation can be taken to deal with the natural disasters that currently in...
Creating road and design guidelines for three-wheeler vehicles in Bangladesh with Dr Nazmus Sakib
Slow moving Two and three-wheeler vehicles (Tri-SMVs) make up as much as 80% of the traffic in Bangladesh, but the roads are largely designed for motorised vehicles with four or more wheels. This creates safety and comfort issues for Tri-SMV drivers and passengers, significantly affecting the mobility of vulnerable groups.In this episode we speak to Dr Nazmus Sakib of the Islamic University of Technology in Bangladesh about his research into this essential transport modality in both urban and...
Creating a safety oriented transport culture with Dr Kalpana Viswanath
In the first episode of our sixth series, we talk with Dr. Kalpana Viswanath. She is the Co-founder and CEO of Safetipin, a social enterprise that uses technology and apps to collect data for the safe movement of women in urban spaces and towards gender responsive urban systems.We talk how harassment, violence and the burden of care impact women's access to transport, work, education and leisure. How technology is used to gather data to create safer transport networks around cities and what n...
Road and vehicle safety in Kampala with Michael Wanyama
In the final episode of season 5, we speak with road and vehicle safety activist, Michael Wanyama from AutoSafety Uganda. We discuss how the impact of used and unsafe vehicles on the roads in Uganda is often missed from the discussion around road safety and rising fatalities, as well as their contribution to rising emissions. Also Michael talks about his work training local mechanics and improving regulations in the industry. Links Tackling Africa’s road safety and emissions from t...
Investing in active mobility in Africa with Carly Gilbert-Patrick
In this episode we speak with Carly Gilbert-Patrick from UNEP about the current state of walking and cycling (often referred to as 'active mobility') across Africa. We touch on the differences and similarities between regions and countries, the impact of motorisation on active mobility infrastructure as well as changing hearts and minds to see pedestrians and cyclists as priorities in transport planning.LinksShare the Road Programme - UNEP‘Our walking is our asset’: Exploring the way in which...
Understanding urban transport in Africa with Simon Saddier
In this episode of Reimagining Motion, we talk with Simon Saddier, a Senior Urban Transport Specialist at the World Bank and the Africa Transport Policy Programme (SSATP). We look at the challenges of urban transport across Africa, the expansion of BRT, as well as strategies to create dialogues between formal and informal transport sector organisations. LinksAfrica Transport Policy ProgrammeInstitutions in Motion: Learning from the Experience of Urban Mobility Organizing Authorities in S...
Public Transport in Africa's Largest City with Oluwaseun Sonoiki
In the first episode of our fifth series of Reimagining Motion we talk with Oluwaseun "Seun" Sonoiki, legal counsel at the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA). We explore the challenges of coordinating and expanding transport in one of Africa's most rapidly urbanising cities. LinksLessons learnt through gender-based travel data collection and related sexual harassment in Sub-Saharan AfricaTackling Sexual Harassment in sub-Saharan African Transport: Changing Attitudes, M...
Creating sustainable active mobility infrastructure systems with Gail Jennings
This week we speak with Gail Jennings, a research consultant based in South Africa where we explore the opportunities and the challenges of developing future infrastructures with active mobility (walking and cycling) as a central mode of transport in low- and middle-income countries. LinksLearning from COVID-19 pop-up bicycle infrastructure: An investigation into flexible and user-led bicycle planning in Cape Town, Nairobi, and KampalaWomen Were Put On The Back-End: COVID-19 mobility constrai...
Climate resilient road construction and Road Note 31 with Andrew Otto
In this episode of Reimagining Motion, we speak with Andrew Otto of TRL about the latest in road infrastructure research. How to build resilience to natural disasters and climate change into road design, as well as how to get policymakers on board. We also highlight specifically Road Note 31. The latest edition of the seminal guide for road construction in tropical and sub-tropical regions. LinksRoad Note 31: A Guide to the Structural Design of Surfaced Roads in Tropical and Sub-tropical Regi...
The Future of Rail in Africa with Professor Clive Roberts
In the second episode of season 4, we talk to Professor Clive Roberts of the University of Birmingham about all things rail. Railways have the potential to greatly reduce emissions compared to other land transport modes. We talk about the current state of rail in Africa, the challenges of modernising rail infrastructure, as well as the opportunities for innovation and new technologies such as hydrogen-powered rail. LinksNovel traction systems for sustainable railway futures in LICs: Final Rep...
Gender and equitable transport in India with Sonal Shah
In this episode we speak with Sonal Shah on inequalities for women, girls and other genders in transport, especially in India. We also look at her research into post COVID challenges in creating gender equitable, public transport systems as well as opportunities to improve transport infrastructure and policies. LinksMoving Ahead: Urban Mobility Reforms for Post-COVID Resilience in IndiaPost-COVID-19 Mobility: Key levers to reform urban transport systemsMoving towards gender equitable public t...
Disability advocacy in Kenya with Bright Oywaya
In today’s episode we be chat with Bright Oywaya who has been passionately advocating for issues related to road transport and safety and disability since 1997 when she was involved in a road crash, causing disability that resulted in her having to use a wheelchair.LinksRoad Note (RN21): Enhancing the mobility of people with disabilities. Part 1: Guidelines for PolicymakersRoad Note 21 (RN21): Enhancing the mobility of people with disabilities. Part 2: Guidelines for PractitionersDisability, ...
Creating disability inclusive transport systems with Ann Frye
This week we speak with Ann Frye, an international specialist on the transport needs of disabled and older people about the challenges, misconceptions and opportunities for disabled people accessing transport services in low- and middle-income countries.LinksDisability Inclusive Policy Brief (Accessible version)Road Note (RN21): Enhancing the mobility of people with disabilities. Part 1: Guidelines for PolicymakersRoad Note 21 (RN21): Enhancing the mobility of people with disabili...
Gender, sexual harassment and the role of women in transport with Dr Fatima Adamu
To kick off season 3, we speak with Dr Fatima Adamu, Executive Director of Nana Girls and Women Empowerment Initiative in Sokoto, Nigeria about the inequalities women and girls face in accessing transport, gender blindness among transport administrators and politicians as well as tools to address sexual harassment in transport. LinksSHE CAN toolEmpower - Literature ReviewEmpower - Final ReportLearn more at transport-links.com
Scaling action towards low carbon transport w/Maruxa Cadama
In this episode we speak with Maruxa Cadama, the Secretary General of the SLOCAT Partnership on Sustainable, Low Carbon Transport. We look at the role of equity in the decarbonisation of transport and the role of organisations like SLOCAT in addressing climate resilience in transport. We also discuss Maruxa's impressions from COP27 and the role of these conferences in climate action.LINKSSLOCAT websiteLow Carbon Transport for Urban Sustainability (LᶜO₂TUS)SLOCAT at COP27Learn more at transport-l
Involving the community in climate resilient transport w/Romanus Opiyo
We speak with Romanus Opiyo, programme leader of Sustainable Urbanisation of the Stockholm Environmental Institute about the impact of climate change on transport in low- and middle-income countries and how it is affecting disadvantaged groups the most. We also discuss using participatory approaches to transport design that is inclusive and resilient. LinksInclusive Climate-Resilient Transport In Africa: Assessment of the needs of transport stakeholders including disadvantaged groups Using cr...
How walking is undervalued in transport w/Bronwen Thornton
We speak with Bronwen Thornton, the CEO of Walk21 and former Board Chair of the Partnership for Sustainable Low Carbon Transport (SLOCAT), about the crucial and yet undervalued role that walking plays to create inclusive, greener transport. We ask will the drive towards green transport overshadow the needs of the most vulnerable in society who will face unfair conditions and access to mobility? LinksInvesting in Walking in African Cities: Moving Beyond Policy‘Our walking is our asset’: Explor...
E-mobility, energy and equity w/Yacob Mulugetta
We speak with Yacob Mulugetta, from UCL and also Partnership Lead of the Climate Compatible Growth Program (CCG) about the role of e-mobility in a just transition to greener transport systems and the link between future development of LICs and future energy systems. The episode also asks who should financially support LICs in the bid to adapt and mitigate against climate change when their contribution to transport emissions has been historically low compared to the rest of the world. Li...
Informal public transport and urban networks w/Timothy Durant
In this episode we talk to Timothy Durant of Vectos about the informal public transport sector and its effects on urban development, climate change and affordable mobility.LinksTRANSITIONS – Informal Transport Compendium ReportHigh Volume Transport WebsiteLearn more at transport-links.com
Transit-oriented development and post-COVID mobility w/Dr Rutul Joshi
In this episode we speak with Dr Rutul Joshi, Associate professor at CEPT University in India. Dr Joshi led a multi-year research project on contextualising transit-oriented development for Indian cities.LinksInclusive TOD in Eastern Africa: A Guide to Local Development PlanningTransit-oriented development: Case studies reportMoving Ahead: Urban Mobility Reforms for Post-COVID Resilience in IndiaPost-COVID-19 Mobility: Key levers to reform urban transport systemsHigh Volume Transport WebsiteD...
Using data to understand transit networks w/Philip Krause
In this episode we talk to Philip Krause of African Urban Mobility Observatory about how data is essential to transit-oriented development design and implementation. He also discusses his HVT work developing new technologies for transport data collection in sub-Saharan Africa.LinksAfrica Urban Mobility Observatory Policy and Planning Insights Report - HVT ResearchAfrica Urban Mobility Observatory Role of Informal Paratransit Report: Big Data to Enable Inclusive, Low-Carbon Mobility - HVT Rese...
Inclusive transit-oriented development w/Jacob Mason
In this episode we talk to Jacob Mason of the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy about transit-oriented development (TOD) as a mode for development in African cities.In their latest research for HVT, the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) have developed a guidance toolkit of inclusive TOD as part of local area planning in eastern Africa. Links:Inclusive TOD in Eastern Africa: A Guide to Local Development Planning - HVT Research from ITDPJacob Mason on ...