About the project
Mobility poses some of the greatest and most stubborn challenges to achieving a just energy transition in Europe; forming the single largest contributor to energy-related CO2 emissions, while also forming the least negotiable practice for many consumers. Making greener transport choices more accessible, especially in high-mobility, high-income regions such as Europe, is therefore crucial for enabling a modal shift and for realizing an equitable future for all.
The EU’s ‘year of rail’ in 2021 indicates a political willingness to explore railway alternatives to flying, as these might reduce emissions per travel by as much as 84%. Amid persistent public campaigning, heightened environmental awareness and deregulation policies, new privately owned European cross-border lines such as Snälltåget, Regiojet, and the Alpine-Sylt Night Express have further been rolled out. While transport and mobilities research has often focused on ‘automobility’, ‘aeromobilities’ and innovative new mobilities, the return to trains seems understudied despite renewed civil, political, media, and private-sector engagement.
Considering the recent rail revival, this master’s thesis seeks to understand how train travellers make complex socially situated transport choices and what hinders/enables the expansion of night and long-distance trains in Europe in relation to realizing sustainable and just mobility.
Methods
The research methods for this master’s thesis include qualitative interviews with train travellers, policymakers and other rail actors.
Responsible
The project is affiliated with the research center Include and is carried out by master’s student Linnea Møller Jess. It is supervised by Tanja Winther at Center for Development and the Environment.
Duration
2022-2023