Why consumer preferences will be key in the future urban mobility revolution

A white paper published by Ricardo Strategic Consulting highlights the crucial influence of the consumer in the development of smart, connected and automated mobility with the urban environment of the future – underscoring the importance of rigorous market assessment for new innovations in mobility.

In the coming years, the citizens of larger and more affluent ‘megacities’ – with populations exceeding 10 million – will be faced with a proliferation of mobility options based on new innovations in both technology and service. Understanding the likely future demands and aspirations of the early-adopter base of such urban environments is crucial in considering the potential commercial viability of future innovations in mobility.
 
Drawing upon the approach used in a recent in-depth project to understand the future mobility demands of the city and banlieues of Paris, the paper sets-out Ricardo’s approach to future market characterization based on the use of its personae perspective analysis framework. This method is based on the creation of a number of personae representative of the wider population, which can be used to understand how consumers consider multiple viable mobility options for their journeys, and how they base their decisions on both rational and emotional factors.
 
The approach can be particularly powerful in understanding the consumer psychology of potential earlier adopter communities for new transport innovations, ranging from electric vehicles either in personal or shared use ownership, to ‘mobility as a service’ products.
 
In the Paris study, consumers in a 5-10 year time horizon were found to be more selective than those of today when making journey choices, a trend considered likely as a result of the increasing proliferation of transport options, an increasing value placed upon the experiential aspects of journeys, and greater social pressures to make environmentally sensitive choices. Despite the wide variety of differing consumer needs, an increasing requirement for connectivity and a seamless journey was found to be a common theme among almost all consumer profiles.
 
“Our work in studying the future mobility demands of Paris highlighted the need for those intending to introduce new innovations to consider a holistic view of the market and technology,” commented Bavly Obaid, Senior Business Analyst for Ricardo Strategic Consulting “It will no longer be sufficient to deliver the passenger to his or her destination; the passenger’s other needs will also need to be met. This may include recognizing and responding to the social attitudes of micro-segments in the passenger groups as well as macro requirements. The approach that we have outlined in our white paper is highly applicable to developing cities and conurbations, as well as to commercial operators who are likely to wish to introduce new innovations in mobility in the coming decades.”
 
The white paper Consumer preferences in a world of smart, connected mobility is available for download free of charge from the Ricardo eStore: contact info@ricardo.com