Start Date : 24 Mar 10   End Date : 24 Mar 10 Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Effective transportation networks are fundamental for the functioning of cities and towns across the globe and a precondition for economic prosperity and the wellbeing of their residents. At the same time, the economic and social benefits of mobility are frequently accompanied by negative side effects such as congestion, social exclusion, accidents, air pollution and energy consumption.

Since the mid-20th century, the negative side effects of urban transportation have particularly become apparent in the metropolitan areas of developed countries. Rising car traffic volumes and congestion are increasingly causing lost economic productivity, environmental degradation and affect overall quality of life in cities. With the documented contribution of the urban transport sector to global greenhouse gas emissions, there is a heightened level of urgency to apply new approaches and technologies for mobility in urban areas of developed countries.