Community Based Building of Integrated, Dynamic Complex Systems Models For Sustainable Fuel Pathways
The overarching goal of this initiative is to catalyze systematic and fundamental transformations of mobility / accessibility systems consistent with a sustainable human future. The key aim of the work has been to uncover a set of understandings that guide the evolution of such systems toward environmental, social, and economic sustainability. The project takes a systems approach, often a complex adaptive systems approach, to tackle the dynamic, diverse, and interdependent problems of sustainable mobility and accessibility. It addresses not only technology, but also human and social dynamics, economics, government policy and environmental issues in an integrated, balanced, and objective manner.
There are two main activities:
• the development of a Sustainable Mobility and Accessibility Learning Community (SMALC) that fosters a rigorous understanding of the complex system dynamics of transitions towards sustainable mobility and accessibility. The SMALC takes place through an iterative, cumulative, and logical progression of collective learning involving workshops, retreats, seminars, and teleconferences.
• the development of a group process to develop models of the co-evolutionary dynamics of transitions toward sustainable transport with the normative objective of sustainability.
The final report for this research is currently in final stages of completion. It includes:
• a summary of the current status and future directions of the Learning Community
• a compendium of Critical Analysis Papers including models and future recommendations focused on systems-based transitions towards sustainable mobility and accessibility
• a Future Directions report outlining recommended areas of further research
• a framework and strategic plan for an ongoing research collaborative focused on implementation of integrated, sustainable urban mobility and accessibility
For more information, contact Susan Zielinski, Managing Director of SMART at susanz@isr.umich.edu.
