What car next? – TPS National Event
 
People have bought more diesel cars than was expected. The resulting air quality problems in urban areas caught planners by surprise. Promises in further improvements in the traditional internal combustion engines make hybrid or electric car choices more difficult, if environmental considerations are the main determinant. Embedded carbon in electric car batteries may outweigh the environmental benefits in their use. In urban areas, traditional car ownership is declining, particularly amongst younger males. New types of shared car ownership, such as car clubs, offer alternatives that avoid the high costs of purchase, parking, fuel and insurance. The promise of autonomous cars may be expected to impact the car buying choice. Should your next car be a bicycle?
 
These are difficult decisions for the man in the street, when determining what car to buy next. But for us as transport planners and modellers these questions are no less tricky. Air quality forecasts have been proven wrong, because of misjudged purchasing behaviour. Is peak car a temporary phenomenon, determined by economic factors, or a permanent feature of future car ownership? What are the possible and likely impacts of car clubs? Will autonomous cars increase or decrease car usage? Interesting questions. We have brought together three specialists on the subject of new car technology and ownership. They will set out their view of what developments may be possible, and the impact on future car ownership and use.
 
Prof John Polak, Imperial College London: Possible implications of shared mobility services on car ownership and use
Dr Alan Stevens, Transport Research Laboratory: Vehicle automation and its impact on road transport
Brian Price, Aston University: Removing the barriers to wider adoption of electric vehicles
 

Tom Van Vuren (Mott MacDonald) will chair the event.

The meeting will be chaired by Tom van Vuren of Mott MacDonald (a diesel car owner considering his next car purchase).
 
Date:     Thursday 12th February
Time:    5.30pm for an 6pm start - buffet provided
Where: Conference Room 1, Aston Business School, Aston University
Registration: http://www.ice.org.uk/Event?ID=3264

 More information can be found in the attached flyer.

 A personal plea - This is the first TPS National Event in the West Midlands. Your support for this event would be greatly appreciated to ensure that we can attract these type of events in the future. Thanks in advance!