Overcoming Transport Poverty in the Era of Green Transition: A Mixed Methods Approach

Project code: J5-50157

Project partners:

• 583 - University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Law
• 3463 - FOCUS, Društvo za sonaraven razvoj

Duration of the project: 1. 10. 2023 - 30. 9. 2026

Scope of funding: 1286 annual research hours in price category A for a period of 3 years (0.76 FTE)

Financers:

502 - Institute for Economic Research:

• 38168 - dr. Miha Dominko
• 15323 – dr. Renata Slabe Erker
• 33182 – dr. Kaja Primc
• 09110 – dr. Boris Majcen
• 33234 – dr. Tjaša Bartolj

583 - University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Law:

• 14309 – dr. Katarina Zajc 
• 56949 - Lana Katarina Gotvan 
• 36389 - dr. Ana Oblak 

3463 - FOCUS, Društvo za sonaraven razvoj

• 51788 – dr. Lidija Živčič 
• 56700 - Marjeta Benčina 

Mobility poverty generally refers to the inability of individuals or households to access essential services or opportunities due to inadequate or unaffordable transport options. Transport accessibility and mobility equity are key issues in the context of the EU's goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and the European Green Deal, as transport contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, which are a key driver of climate change. To achieve climate neutrality by 2050, the EU must reduce transport-related greenhouse gas emissions by promoting more sustainable, low-carbon transport options. This shift may lead to increased mobility poverty.

Despite the European Parliament's recognition of mobility poverty as a pressing problem, research in this area remains insufficient (European Parliament, 2022). To address the lack of literature on mobility poverty, this project aims to combine research on mobility poverty from both micro and macro perspectives, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of this issue. At the micro level, studying mobility poverty can provide insight into the life experiences of individuals and households most affected by this issue. This includes understanding the specific mobility needs and challenges that people face. At the macro level, studying mobility poverty can provide insight into the broader social, economic, and environmental factors that contribute to this issue.

A mixed-methods research approach will be used, which offers numerous advantages. Most importantly, mobility poverty is a complex and multifaceted issue that can affect individuals and households in different ways. To fully understand the extent and nature of mobility poverty, quantitative and qualitative research methods must be combined to provide a more robust and accurate understanding and to identify research gaps that would not be possible with a single method.

• Work package 1: Project management and dissemination of results (months 1 to 36).
• Work package 2: Scientific research forum: definition of mobility poverty (months 4 to 9).
• Work package 3: Exploring the hidden factors of mobility poverty (months 13 to 24).
• Work package 4: The transition to a low-carbon society and its impact on inequality: a computable general equilibrium modeling approach (months 4 to 33).
• Work package 5: The role of the justice system in ensuring a fair transition in the field of mobility (months 10 to 15).