Opportunities and Challenges for Decarbonised, Adaptable and Resilient Transport Systems in the United Kingdom

Abstract

The transport sector faces complex challenges, including decarbonisation, resilience-building, technology integration, and alignment with evolving climate science. This study reviews over 120 documents outlining policies, programmes, and roadmaps that shape the UK’s transport strategies at national, regional, and local levels. National plans focus on zero-emission vehicles, autonomous systems, and digital technologies, emphasizing net-zero emissions through clean technologies, expanded electric vehicle infrastructure, and promotion of active travel. However, local strategies often operate in isolation, prioritizing net-zero targets while neglecting the impacts of climate change on infrastructure resilience and deterioration. Our analysis, supported by stakeholder workshops, reveals significant gaps in resilience standards, metrics, and statutory targets that undermine effective asset management. To address these deficiencies, we propose a conceptual framework integrating resilience and sustainability into transport planning. This framework balances new developments with proactive management of existing assets, effectively guiding future strategies to enhance the overall adaptability of the UK’s transport sector.