Do We Need To Leave Our Cars At Home To Create Better Urban Environments?

The lecture, which is taking place on 1 December 2015 in London, will be given by Professor John Miles, who is Arup/Royal Academy of Engineering Research Professor in Transitional Energy Strategies at the University of Cambridge.

His lecture will reflect upon the reasons why cars have come to dominate our cities and look at the negative impact they are having on transportation networks and the wider environment.

In addition, the lecture will also explore how the negative impacts of our current modes of transport can be mitigated in the future. Professor Miles will suggest that to be successful, future public transport and shared ridership systems must simply represent a better journey option than taking the car. What’s more, he will look to the future and explore current research programmes which are taking place on low-carbon transport systems and intelligent vehicles – these offering a cleaner and more efficient alternative.

One of the key themes of the lecture will be to discuss how engineers themselves can play a pivotal role in developing the solutions needed to mitigate the negative by-products associated with modern vehicles and transport systems.

Naomi Climer, IET President, said: “The IET prides itself on giving a platform to some of the world’s most knowledgeable and innovative speakers from the fields of engineering and science. Professor Miles is no exception and his lecture will offer real insight for attendees into the world of transportation in our modern urban environments and how the negative impacts of these systems can be minimised.

“His lecture will highlight the important role engineers and other professionals can play in solving problems like inner city congestion and the pollution caused by our current modes of transport. Delegates will also be given the opportunity to hear about some of the cutting edge research that is taking place into the low carbon and intelligent vehicles of the future.”