Informal transport networks serve as the primary mode of mobility for 80% of the world’s population in the Global South. From minibus taxis to motorbike services, these systems might appear chaotic at first glance, yet they operate with a surprising efficiency born from self-organization. (See: Efficient self-organization of informal public transport networks, published in Nature Communications.)
What if the seeming disorder of these networks held lessons for designing sustainable and inclusive transport solutions?
Join Trufi with Dr. Malte Schröder, a physicist studying human mobility, as he presents the results of his team’s research which explores how these networks self-organize. Using data from OpenStreetMap Dr. Schröder’s findings challenge conventional thinking, and reveal that in the global Sough informal routes are often more direct and efficient than formal transit systems.
A Model of Resilience, Adaptability, and User-Centric Design
Dr. Schröder’s work demonstrates informal transport is a model of resilience, adaptability, and user-centric design. “The apparent chaos of informal transport is actually a symphony of self-organization,” he writes. By learning from these systems, we can craft equitable and efficient mobility solutions for changing urban environments.
Cochabamba, Bolivia, featured prominently in Dr. Schröder’s research as an example, benefiting from years of route-mapping efforts by local communities and Trufi Association’s commitment to open data and digital civic engagement.
Among the many cited works is Digital Civic Engagement, Open Data, and the Informal Sector: A Think Piece, which illustrates how Trufi’s volunteer initiatives can enhance mobility solutions.
Learn From the Expert
Dr. Malte Schröder, lecturer at cfaed, TU Dresden, applies theoretical physics to analyze mobility systems, advancing our understanding of human transportation, informal networks, and dynamic transport ecosystems through groundbreaking interdisciplinary research.
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