Why do traffic jams happen in the first place? Why don’t we simply build more roads? And should drivers really have to pay for using them?

In this episode, we talk about congestion pricing with Erik Verhoef, professor at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and research fellow at the Tinbergen Institute. His research focuses on how economic instruments can help address the negative externalities of transport, with a particular focus on road congestion.

We discuss why economists have long seen congestion pricing as an effective solution to traffic, why expanding road capacity alone often fails to solve the problem, and how congestion depends on where and when people travel. From electronic road pricing in ingapore to congestion charging in London and Stockholm, we explore how different systems work in practice and what policymakers can learn from them.

Finally, we look at the politics of congestion pricing, why public opposition often declines after implementation, how revenues can shape perceptions of fairness, and why solving congestion may require changing the behavior of only a small share of travelers.

More about our guest:

https://research.vu.nl/en/persons/erik-verhoef/

Music recommendation of the episode:

https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/track/06ypiqmILMdVeaiErMFA91

How do we make decisions about where to go - and how to get there - when they involve other people? Why do most transport models still assume that individuals act independently? And what can we learn from something as simple as deciding where to meet friends for dinner?

In this episode, we explore the role of social networks in mobility with Giancarlos Parady, whose research focuses on how social interactions shape travel behavior and decision-making.

We discuss why traditional transport models often overlook the social nature of travel, how leisure activities differ from routine trips, and what happens when decisions are made jointly rather than individually. From choosing a restaurant location to coordinating schedules, these everyday interactions reveal how mobility is embedded in social relationships.

Finally, we explore what it means to plan transport systems not just for individuals, but for social networks: from improving access to “third places” to addressing loneliness, and understanding how behavior spreads through social ties.

More about our guest: https://gparady.net

Music recommendation of the episode:

“アルクアラウンド” by Sakanaction

https://open.spotify.com/track/3ov6DXhs8UfsHqoMLz4zO9?si=e729c676023b4348

Why should we care about public transport ridership? Why do so few people use it in some places? And what has changed since the pandemic?

In this episode, we explore the dynamics behind public transport use with Candace Brakewood, professor at the University of Tennessee. Her research focuses on transit systems, travel behavior, and how emerging mobility options interact with public transport.

We discuss what ridership actually measures and which role new modes such as bikesharing or e-scooters play. We also look at long-term trends before the pandemic, the impact of telework and relocation, and what these shifts mean for the future of transit. Finally, we explore what makes public transport more attractive: from better funding and fare policies to digital tools.

More about our guest:

https://candacebrakewood.com

Music recommendation of the episode:

M.T.A. by the Kingston Trio

https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/track/3jqgtknEHeqWMaL558O3YL?si=238812fea2004ffb

Why do we still understand so little about walking, despite it being the most fundamental form of transport? How does the built environment shape not just how we move, but how we feel? And what would it mean to plan cities not just for efficiency, but for joy?

In this episode, we explore the connection between transport, public health, and urban design with Kelly Clifton, professor at the University of British Columbia. Her work focuses on travel behavior, walking, and the ways in which the built environment influences both mobility and well-being.

We discuss how urban form shapes both movement and mood, why walking should be understood as more than just a functional mode of travel, and which role new forms of micromobility can play.

More about our guest:

http://kellyjclifton.com

Music recommendation of the episode:

“Higher Ground” by Stevie Wonder

How can data-driven tools improve transport policymaking? How should researchers use AI responsibly? And why can simpler models sometimes lead to better decisions?

In this episode, we talk about the power of mobility data with Robin Lovelace, Professor of Transport Data Science at the University of Leeds Institute for Transport Studies. His work combines research, software development, and teaching to advance evidence-based transport planning.

We discuss what makes data-driven tools not only open but truly usable, how travel-to-school data can help address biases in cycling infrastructure planning, and how researchers can make their work more accessible and actionable for practitioners.

More about our guest: https://www.robinlovelace.net

Explore the Propensity to Cycle Tool: https://www.pct.bike

Music recommendation of the episode:“Only So Much Oil in the Ground” by Tower of Powerhttps://open.spotify.com/track/4L6cv7W4EpaB62kPoyCQK7?si=YBJ6JtquTVao-coETRy7Vw

Why is it still so complicated to book a train ticket from Munich to Lisbon? Should short-haul flights in Europe be banned? And can night trains really become a viable alternative?

In this episode, we talk about the challenges of long-distance travel in Europe with Oded Cats, full professor at the Delft University of Technology. He recently received an ERC Consolidator Grant to study how long-distance passenger transport systems can be better designed, coordinated, and scaled across borders.

We discuss why international rail travel is still so fragmented, what role policy and infrastructure play, and why banning short-haul flights might not be as effective as we might think.

More about our guest:

https://www.tudelft.nl/citg/over-faculteit/afdelingen/transport-planning/staff/persoonlijke-paginas/cats-o

More about the research project:

https://www.tudelft.nl/citg/over-faculteit/afdelingen/transport-planning/labs/smart-public-transport-lab/3mars

Music recommendation of the episode:The Warmth, by Incubus

https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/track/0LkssuXRYPFYapjXH9pJBX

Mobility Club is the podcast where we meet and talk transport. Supported by EIT Urban Mobility. Season 1 airs in February