Trials for the mobility of future generations: An innovative approach to imagining the mobility of the future

Context: An initiative in line with Keolis’s approach of co-constructing innovative solutions for the mobility of today and tomorrow  

Keolis pursues a prospective approach based on observing how people actually live within its regions. In fact, this approach initiated through its Keoscopie observatory and its accompanying podcast “Nos vies mobiles” (“Our mobile lives”) encouraged the group to implement a methodology for analyzing lifestyles to better understand regions and imagine the mobility of the future. Through this observatory, Keolis notably carries out numerous studies aiming to observe and measure changing lifestyles across its regions, as well as the resulting impact on uses and expectations in terms of the mobility of today and tomorrow.

Innovation: An original scenography in the form of a trial to investigate and debate various topics tied to the mobility of the future 

This innovative and unique campaign, with a scenography and organization in the form of a trial, features a prosecutor, a jury, an indictment and expert witnesses called to the stand to share their insight and advance our reflection on the major challenges in the mobility of today and tomorrow.

This original scenography is also participatory. The media company Usbek & Rica, which gave organizational support to Keolis, features a dedicated section on its website to allow people to share their opinions on specific topics. In the context of the “Trials for the mobility of future generations”, the media outlet initiates debate within a wide audience about topics defined ahead of each event.

Benefits: Encouraging reflection on major issues in passenger mobility across our regions  

The regional approach of this conference series makes it possible to investigate and debate various topics surrounding the mobility of the future and the major challenges each event’s host region is facing. 

The 4 sessions were held between June 2023 and February 2024.

The first trial, held on June 22 in Nancy, opened the debate on the question: Will electric mobility save the climate?

The insights provided by expert witnesses on the stand led to a decision of 3 votes to 2 that electric mobility will not be enough (on its own) to save the climate. This was the verdict reached by the testimonies of Pascal Taton, CEO of the Grand Nancy urban planning agency, Geoffrey Abecassis, Presidential Advisor in charge of France Relance and France 2030 at ADEME, and Frédérik Jobert, Program Director of Ecological Transition Planning for the Prime Minister’s Services.

Translation of the image on the side:

Will electric mobility save the climate?  

No way! 

Of course! 

The second trial, held on July 10 in Châteauroux, encouraged reflection on a specific issue that rural areas are facing: Is it possible to live without cars in areas outside of cities? Three new expert witnesses fueled the debate with their contributions, which led to a tight decision of 3 votes to 2 that future generations can indeed live without cars outside of cities. However, each witness also mentioned the limited practical feasibility of the verdict, following the testimonies of Eric Chareyron, Director of Prospective, Lifestyles and Mobility in the Territories at Keolis, Pierre Helwig, Engineer from Mines Nancy, and Stéphanie Vincent, PhD in Sociology from Paris-Descartes University.

Translation of the image on the side:

Can we live without cars outside of cities?  

Yes 

No 

The 3rd trial took place in Rennes on 20 September 2023, with the following question on the agenda: Does a desirable city refer to a city without cars? 

In the presence of Matthieu Theurier, Vice-President of Rennes Metropole in charge of mobility and transport, the verdict was in: the 4 jurors concluded that for a city to be desirable, it must be car-free. After heated debate, this decision was supported by 69% of the public, marking the 5th vote in favour of this vision.

Translation of the image on the side:

Does a desirable city refer to a city without cars? 

Yes 

No 

To conclude this series of conferences, the fourth and final session took place on 28 February at Science Po in Paris, with the final question being: Should we stop travelling?

Three experts were called to the stand to testify on the usefulness and relevance of our mobility in the context of climate change. The jury was unanimous in favour of a no: we shouldn't stop moving around, but we do need to rethink our territorial model and the way we get around.

Should we stop travelling?

Yes 

No 

Next steps: Feedback on the series of conference-debates to encourage reflection on practical solutions

The 4th and final session, held in Paris, brought this series of regional forums to a close, focusing on issues specific to the region.

Discussion and reflection continue beyond the series to identify and implement concrete solutions that respond to major challenges to the mobility of the future. Finally, a Manifesto for the Mobility of Future Generations is also in development.