Imagining a future where car ownership isn’t necessary

INFUZE (Inspiring Futures for Zero Carbon Mobility) is a groundbreaking new study that will ask communities across Leeds to help design bespoke, low-carbon travel solutions – including new technologies and shared transportation such as car clubs, responsive taxi-style bus services, and shared bicycle and scooter schemes.

INFUZE is seeking to demonstrate that we can design transport systems that enable people to travel freely without owning a car. The project will begin by listening, asking participants to imagine different ways of travel and, with the help of technical experts, to design better transport systems. Together with local delivery partners, the project will then build and test pilot systems for residents to try, evaluate and improve.

The five-year, £7.8 million plan is being led by the University of Leeds, in collaboration with research partners the Royal College of Art and Lancaster University, and is funded by the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council. It will eventually involve up to 400 households across the city and could lead to the creation of a national centre of excellence in alternatives to car ownership.