News
Foresight Report Offers Vision of Sustainable Communities
26th January 2006
An end to unwanted commuting routines, a world where all vehicles are part of the transport infrastructure and a time when the "information age" has transformed into the "intelligence age" are all ideas that could be part of our future, according to a new report published today by the Government's science think tank, Foresight.
"Intelligent Infrastructure Futures" looks 50 years ahead to see how science and technology could deliver transport solutions in a safe and sustainable way. In this future world our choices would be supported by infrastructure and our decisions would be economically and environmentally sustainable.
The Office of Science and Technology's latest Foresight project brought together nearly 300 UK and international experts, who contributed their vision of potential scenarios for sustainable infrastructure and transport in the UK.
The report examines the current state of science and technology, taking into account economic, social and psychological factors, to produce four potential scenarios to help understand the risks and opportunities. By looking at alternative scenarios, it raises key issues, obstacles and opportunities, to help government, public policy officials and relevant stakeholders start planning now.
The report explores how existing and anticipated technologies could help create a more efficient and sustainable future. It analyses economic ideas, the impact on the environment and energy use. Further, it considers impacts of change, looking at how urban design and intelligent IT could revolutionise aspects of our lives, through understanding social patterns of movement.
The combination of intelligent software and design could offer us a sustainable future by reducing conflict between economic growth and environmental considerations.
Sir David King, the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser, said: "This report looks to tomorrow to let us plan to maximise the opportunities and begin to minimise the risks today.
"The technologies of today and the near future offer us solutions as to how we might develop a society that can deliver economic growth, support social cohesion and be environmentally sustainable.
"Transport is a growing contributor to greenhouse gases. As developing countries follow our lead on transport, it is essential that we find solutions that minimise carbon dioxide emissions. Building intelligence into the infrastructure to deliver efficiency and reduce the need for movement will be key to that goal.
"To want to travel is human nature and to travel intelligently can be sustainable. It is for us to decide how we develop and deliver a sustainable vision of the future."
Stephen Ladyman, Minister for Transport, said: "This Foresight report looks at ways the future for transport could theoretically develop. Of course, these are not cast iron predictions - the real future is unlikely to resemble any of them.
"But it makes sense to study such scenarios now to make sure we're better prepared for challenges around the corner.
"The Government is taking action. Leading the debate on road pricing, making unprecedented investment in public transport and introducing a renewable fuels obligation are all examples of moving towards a more sustainable future.
"The value of the Foresight report is that it will help us stimulate debate as to what kind of future we do want for transport, and help us shape it. I look forward to continuing this work with partners in and outside Government."
