Kenny Fennell is a Consultant in WSP-USA’s Future of Mobility group. He advises mobility providers and state and local governments on the future of mobility. You can read previous work on the intersection of public and private innovation in transportation on Loup’s Blog with Mobility as a Service isn’t an App, It’s a System and Three Ways Governments and Startups Cross Paths in Emerging Mobility.
3 Takeaways
- Fennell believes the pandemic is a one year set back to the future of mobility. Prior to the pandemic, cities were operating with full capabilities and resources. However, these same cities now lack resources such as time and money. Expect cities to be fully re-engaged in the first half of 2021.
- Cities in California are leading indicators of mobility trends. For example, the city of Oakland has reallocated 74 roadway miles from pedestrians and bikes. Similarly, San Francisco has allocated 34 roadway miles. Philadelphia, Denver, and Minneapolis have all announced that they will be following suit.
- Cities are reducing the number of companies they are partnering with, which is a long-term advantage to Lyft and Uber.
Show Notes
- [1:39] What conversations were ridesharing and mobility companies having with cities in December of 2019?
- [3:39] Why is it so hard to get a lane in the street provisioned for different modes of transportation?
- [5:47] What were cities doing around micro-mobility when the pandemic hit?
- [8:38] How was the tone of cities in advancing mobility changed since the pandemic?
- [11:00] What are the other big topics on the minds of cities in regards to mobility?
- [12:22] What’s California doing in terms of provisioning public space for charging stations for EV’s?
- [15:10] What is the long term impact, and how do you think people will view ridesharing and Jump Scooters?
- [18:33] What does a typical US city look like in 5 years in terms of shared spaces?
- [20:40] With what you know about Lyft and Uber, is one better positioned with the way they handle regulators?
- [23:23] What advice would you give a startup that’s looking to get provisions to operate in a city?
- [25:06] In 10 years, as you’re exiting a restaurant, what does a street look like?