ITS Monday: Edition 19, 2026

Vicious cycles or transport revolution? The ebike battle raging in Queensland

“More than 1,200 submissions were made to that inquiry, and they show just how deep divisions run on what advocates refer to as a burgeoning “revolution” in transport – but what critics say is unleashing “chaos on our streets and footpaths”.”

Related iMOVE articles:

• Active Transport: Info, Projects &; Resources
• Micromobility: Info, Projects &; Resources

Related iMOVE projects:

• Optimising multimodal transport networks: Sharing road space
• Safer cycling infrastructure: Design and policy
• Behavioural change for sustainable transport

Flying taxis and delivery drones could soon crowd city skies. What happens when they fail?

From The Conversation, and written by Luis Mejiasm Associate Professor in Aerospace and Autonomous Systems, and Jonathan Roberts, Professor in Robotics, both from the Queensland University of Technology. “But even highly reliable and resilient technologies can and will fail in unexpected ways. A minor software problem, a faulty sensor or a sudden change in conditions may not be serious on their own. But together they can create larger challenges.”

Related iMOVE article:

• Drone Transport: Info, Projects & Resources

Related iMOVE projects:

• The future of drones in Australia
• Trialling drones for medical use in NT remote communities

Multivariate Perceptions of Post-Purchase EV Ownership Issues

A new working paper from the Institute of Transport and Logistics Studie0, co-authored by Andrea Pellegrini, Elisabetta Cherchi, and John Rose. The abstract:

The objective of this study is to examine how electric vehicle (EV) owners perceive a range of post-purchase issues that are relevant to EV adoption. Using a nationwide sample of 1,794 Australian EV owners, we analyse the importance assigned to seven post-acquisition concerns: range anxiety, public charging availability, charging duration, upfront price and value for money, model availability and consumer choice, trust of new technologies, and battery fire safety.

The empirical findings suggest that there exist differences across EV users in terms of socio-economic factors, home charging infrastructure factors and vehicle characteristics with respect to the seven rating dimensions. Further, post-purchase concerns appear to be highly positive interdependent, particularly regarding charging infrastructure, technological trust and safety, and financial aspects.

Finally, simulation results show that public charging infrastructure remains highly important, even if all respondents are assumed to have access to solar panels for EV charging activities.

Related iMOVE article:

• Electric Vehicles: Info, Projects & Resources
• The Conductor Series: The electrification of transport

Related iMOVE projects:

• Enabling accessible electric vehicle charging
• Leading the charge in bi-directional charging
• Utrecht to Australia: Unlocking scalable, low-cost V2G
• Being a V2G trailblazer: Lessons for mass market adoption

Australian freight start-up plans 20 electric prime movers by end of year, and mobile chargers

“Electric road freight company New Energy Transport has announced plans to fast-track the roll out of 20 electric prime movers – which will ply corridors between Sydney and regional centres – after landing $5 million in funding.

NET has the first electric prime movers will operational before the end of the year, supported by six “mobile” ultra-fast charging units that will be deployed as it constructs its first electric truck charging hub in Wilton, south of Sydney.”

Related iMOVE project:

• Powering the future of freight: Electric trailers and dollies

Built environment factors for inclusive e-micromobility: a review based on the capabilities approach

A new academic paper, co-authored by Ana Paula Soares Müller, Patricia Sauri Lavieri, Páraic Carroll, and Alejandro Ruiz-Padillo. The abstract:

Electric micromobility (e-micromobility) has gained significant popularity in cities worldwide, yet urban infrastructure often fails to support adequate access to and use of these modes for a wide range of users. This systematic literature review applies the Capabilities Approach to identify key physical features of the built environment necessary to foster e-micromobility as an equitable and inclusive travel option.

We analyse how personal, social, political, and economic conversion factors interact with physical features of the built environment to impact the translation of e-micromobility resources into three capabilities: e-micromobility access, mobility and accessibility. Drawing from the review of 31 studies, we discuss the interactions between conversion factors, propose a definition of equitable e-micromobility, and identify infrastructure elements to be prioritised by planners to foster the three capabilities. Key priorities include (i) dockless parking; (ii) dense and connected dedicated lanes, physically segregated from motorised vehicles and pedestrians; (iii) affordable fares of shared systems; and (iv) regulations to reduce conflicts between modes.

The findings suggest the need for research that approaches e-micromobility equity from a systems perspective: focusing on the relationships between the conversion factors and on the interactions of e-micromobility with other travel modes. The explicit comparison of how differently e-bikes and e-scooters serve vulnerable groups and the direct elicitation of perceptions and preferences within these groups are also important gaps that should be filled to guide the design and implementation of more equitable e-micromobility systems.

Sydney Harbour is getting electric hydrofoils. What’s it like to ‘fly’ in one?

“A fleet of small electric boats that fly a metre above the water using hydrofoil technology will be built for Sydney Harbour as part of a push to reduce maritime emissions and local pollution.”

Ministers want 60% of pupils in England ‘actively’ travelling to school by 2035

This story is from the UK. “Ministers are to launch a major push to get more children walking and cycling to school as part of a wider boost for “active travel” by the transport secretary Heidi Alexander.

In the first significant change to active travel policy since the Boris Johnson era, thousands of new safe routes and crossings will be built around schools in England, with a target of having at least 60% of all children walk, cycle or wheel to school by 2035.”