Abstract Background Despite emerging research on novel mobility solutions in urban areas, there have been few attempts to explore the relevance and sustainability of these solutions in rural contexts. Furthermore, existing research addressing rural mobility solutions typically focuses on a specific user group, such as local residents, second-home owners, or tourists. In this paper, we study the social inclusivity, economic viability, and environmental impacts of novel mobility solutions in rural contexts based on published scholarly literature. When doing so, we bring both permanent and temporary residents of rural areas under one research framework. Methods We used grey literature to identify and categorise novel mobility solutions, which have been applied in European rural areas and are suitable for travelling longer distances. By using six service flexibility variables, we reached four categories of novel mobility solutions: semi-flexible demand-responsive transport, flexible door-to-door demand-responsive transport, car-sharing, and ride-sharing. We analysed the social inclusivity, economic viability, and environmental impacts of those categories based on criteria and evidence identified from scholarly literature by including the perspectives of both permanent and temporary residents of rural areas.  Conclusion: Integration of the needs of various user groups is essential when aiming to achieve the provision of environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable mobility solutions in rural areas. Results Our findings revealed that while single novel mobility solutions are seldom applicable for all rural travellers, strong spatial and temporal synergies exist when combining different solutions. The need for a connected and flexible set of mobility solutions sensitive to the temporal and spatial patterns of mobility needs is inevitable. Accessible and easily understandable information on routing, booking, and ticketing systems, as well as cooperation, shared values, and trust between various parties, are key success factors for sustainable rural mobility. Conclusion Integration of the needs of various user groups is essential when aiming to achieve the provision of environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable mobility solutions in rural areas.


    Access

    Download


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    In search of sustainable and inclusive mobility solutions for rural areas


    Contributors:
    Helen Poltimäe (author) / Merlin Rehema (author) / Janika Raun (author) / Age Poom (author)


    Publication date :

    2022




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    Unknown




    In search of sustainable and inclusive mobility solutions for rural areas

    Poltimäe, Helen / Rehema, Merlin / Raun, Janika et al. | Springer Verlag | 2022

    Free access

    Empowering Sustainable Tourism Mobility Through Multimodal Transportation in Rural Areas

    Baumann, Mirjam / Schubert, Iljana / Del Duce, Andrea | Springer Verlag | 2025

    Free access

    Ensuring sustainable mobility in urban periphery, rural areas and remote regions

    Shibayama, Takeru / Emberger, Guenter | Springer Verlag | 2023

    Free access

    Ensuring sustainable mobility in urban periphery, rural areas and remote regions

    Takeru Shibayama / Guenter Emberger | DOAJ | 2023

    Free access

    Sustainable Shared Mobility Interconnected with Public Transport in European Rural Areas

    Psarra, Foteini / Piccoli, Anna / Karachaliou, Eleni et al. | Springer Verlag | 2020