Participation of experts and non‐experts in a sustainability assessment of mobility

Abstract

The complexity, ambiguity and subjectivity that surround persistent problems of unsustainability, such as mobility, highlight the importance of stakeholder engagement in both knowledge production and policy development. This paper reports on research within the EU-funded MATISSE project to develop tools and methods for Integrated Sustainability Assessment (ISA), a novel interdisciplinary and participatory approach to sustainability strategy development. Two different methods -expert focus groups and citizen deliberative workshops -were employed to elicit knowledge and preferences of European stakeholders in respect of sustainable mobility. Findings from these exercises indicate areas of both convergence and divergence in the visions of sustainable mobility futures depicted by different stakeholder groups. Stakeholders agreed on the need to address problems of unsustainability in the transport sector, and identifi ed broadly similar environmental, social and economic criteria for sustainable transport. Amenity of transport was more important for citizens, while experts focussed on pragmatic and technological issues. Both groups favoured modal shift and novel technologies, and citizens also supported demand reduction measures and choices; however, a range of barriers to achieving sustainable mobility was also identifi ed by participants. Stakeholder feedback suggests the process was valuable and acted as a forum for social learning and the co-production of knowledge by citizens and experts, while at the same time empowering these groups to participate in an important social issue such as transport. The value and limitations of these methods for ISA are discussed and avenues for further research proposed.

AHP‐Aided Evaluation of Logistic and Transport Solutions in a Seaport

“…The experts of the project team performed the evaluation of the alternatives' performance against the criteria. This is in line with other studies, which affirm that the experts' contribution to the decision process improves the technical soundness of the solutions and can take into account the viewpoints of the users of the transport system [30,31]. The model and the results are discussed in the next section.…”

Quality Approach to the Sustainability of Public Transport

“…Rather, it is an outcome of a complex set of psychological, social, economic and infrastructural factors (Whit-marsh, Köhler 2010). Personal preferences for autonomy, comfort and convenience have a significant influence on transport choices (Whitmarsh et al 2009). Less conscious determinants such as social identity, symbolism and status associated with vehicle choice and use also influence transport choices (Steg et al 2001).…”

Multi-criteria Analysis to Support Mobility Management at a University Campus

“…As remarked by Saaty (2004), such aspects can be explained by the analyst to the decision maker with limited effort, becoming a solid ground for the mutual understanding and validity of the evaluation process. Some studies (Berrittella, Certa, Enea, & Zito, 2008;Longo, Medeossi, Strami, & Padoano, 2011;Whitmarsh, Swartling, & Jäger, 2009) observed that if candidate solutions are explored by a panel of experts and evaluated against criteria that are expression of the stakeholders' objectives and concerns, the technical soundness and the transparency of the process can be assured. Indeed, the evaluation of strategic decisions is often a discussion process in which several stakeholders participate directly or by means of nominated experts or representatives.…”