Urban waterways are natural centers of gravity for cities, enhancing their development is necessary for a sustainable future. Image source: Shutterstok (#227997625) pictures Istanbul with a ferry on the Bosphorus.
Using waterways in cities is not new. Think about cities such as Venice and Istanbul that frequently use their waterways not only for leisure purposes but for everyday public transportation. Other cities have come to see their waterways as valuable potential transport modes that could decongest traffic on the road and take off pressure from crowded public transport. By expanding this potential, cities could tackle air pollution issues. Yet, many boats and ferries still operate with fossil fuels and often enough don’t have the capacity to carry a larger number of passengers. These are challenges boat operators, city administrations and investors have to face when investing in waterway transportation. The french company SeaBubbles has been testing its electric water taxi on the Seine, powered by lithium batteries. SeaBubbles’ CEO Anders Bringdal says, electric water taxis reduce noise and urban polution levels. He also mentions that the company plans to invest in building multiple docking stations at several piers along the river so several boats could be darting between the piers at any one time. The great disadvantage of the electric powered river taxis is that it accomodates only four passengers.
Other operators and companies have taken steps into reducing CO2 emissions by developing hybrid water vessels that can easily swith between fuel engine and electric motor. The company REAPsystems will be testing its hybrid water taxis in venice next summer.
Waterways hold great potentials in future mobility in an accelerating urbanized world – especially in cities vulnerable and affected by traffic congestion and smog.
The Guardian
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