Impact of the Sustainable Mobility Law on the Transportation and Logistics Sector

Introduction:

The Sustainable Mobility Law stands as a crucial milestone for the future of transportation and logistics in Spain and, more broadly, in Europe. By encouraging a transition towards more sustainable, safe, and efficient mobility, this legislation not only addresses the prevailing environmental and urban challenges but also establishes a legislative framework for a comprehensive transformation of the sector. This detailed analysis aims to break down the essential elements of the law, its impact on the transportation sector, the necessary operational adjustments for companies, and how Guraify emerges as a strategic partner in this wave of change.

European Context:

The initiative of the Sustainable Mobility Law in Spain is framed within a broader European context, being part of a general strategy to reshape the transportation sector towards one that is more sustainable, competitive, resilient, and inclusive. This transformation is a direct response to the objectives outlined in the European Green Deal, with specific goals oriented towards 2030, 2035, and 2050. These include increasing the number of zero-emission vehicles and carbon-neutral cities, the generalization of autonomous mobility, and the introduction of zero-emission aircraft into the market.

The law advocates for a holistic approach to mobility, facilitating collaboration between various administrations and stakeholders through a national sustainable mobility system. This system promotes flexible and adaptive mobility solutions, ranging from on-demand public transport to shared and collaborative mobility services. Additionally, it places particular emphasis on promoting clean and healthy mobility, especially in urban environments, and on improving competitiveness in freight transport.

EU Strategy and Its Implementation:

The strategy behind this legislation aligns with the broader EU plans and goals for the transport sector, introduced by the European Commission in December 2020. The EU's Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy encompasses 82 initiatives in 10 key areas, focusing on the sustainability, intelligence, and resilience of transportation. Its goals include doubling high-speed rail traffic by 2030, having at least 30 million zero-emission vehicles on European roads by 2050, and the widespread adoption of autonomous mobility.

Key Aspects of the Law:

• Objective and Scope: The law aims to effectively regulate mobility in Spain, considering it a fundamental right for accessing other basic rights. It focuses on promoting more sustainable transportation alternatives and facilitates coordination between various government entities to achieve this goal.
• Structure of the Law​: Comprising several titles, the law covers everything from general provisions to the creation of the aforementioned national system, strategic mobility planning, regulation of transport infrastructures and services, and the incentivization of technological innovations in the sector.
• Guiding Principles​: Principles such as equity, energy efficiency, environmental respect, climate change mitigation, and air quality improvement are emphasized. These principles guide all actions and policies derived from the law.
• National Sustainable Mobility System: This system acts as a platform for inter-administrative and sectoral cooperation, focused on guaranteeing the universal right to mobility through bodies such as the Sectoral Conference on Transport and the Higher Council for Sustainable Mobility.
• Planning and Management: The promotion of strategic documents, such as the Sustainable Mobility Guidance Document (DOMOS), is encouraged to direct mobility planning and management at national, regional, and local levels.
• Urban and Rural Mobility: The law introduces specific measures to promote sustainable mobility practices tailored to both urban and rural environments, with special attention to active mobility and universal accessibility.
• Infrastructures and Services: Criteria for the planning and management of transport infrastructures and services are established, with a particular focus on sustainability, intermodality, and leveraging technological innovations.
• Technological Innovation: Active promotion of research and adoption of emerging technologies, such as vehicle automation and the use of open data to optimize transport systems.
• Financing: The law defines the framework for state financial support to promote sustainable mobility, including the creation of specific funds to support initiatives and projects in this area.

How the Law Affects the Transportation Sector

The Sustainable Mobility Law heralds the beginning of an era of profound transformations for the transportation sector in Spain. This legislation not only demands the adoption of cleaner practices and advanced technologies but also redefines the mobility experience to adapt it to present and future demands. Through a series of provisions and guidelines, the law aims for a comprehensive shift in how transportation companies conceptualize and operate their services. Below is a detailed account of how these changes will affect and shape the sector:

1. National Sustainable Mobility System: The law establishes a mandatory reference framework for transportation companies, demanding alignment with a shared vision of sustainable mobility. This translates into the need to reevaluate and possibly reconfigure current operations and strategies, ensuring they comply with the sustainability and energy efficiency standards outlined.
2. Planning and Management Instruments: The guidelines set forth in the DOMOS and other guiding documents will serve as the basis for companies to reformulate their planning and management practices. This encompasses the adoption of greener operational models to implementing internal policies that promote the use of clean and efficient technologies.
3. Urban and Rural Mobility: The law promotes mobility that responds to the particularities of each environment, pushing companies to diversify and adapt their services according to the specific needs of urban and rural areas. This may involve expanding into new markets or modifying existing services to foster more active and sustainable mobility practices.
4. Accessibility and Inclusion: A fundamental pillar of the law is to ensure that mobility services are universally accessible. This will require companies to invest in adaptive technologies and review their fleets to ensure accessibility, marking an important step towards a more inclusive society.
5. Promotion of Innovation and Technology: The adoption of emerging technologies, such as vehicle automation and data analysis for fleet management, becomes a priority under this law. Companies will need to stay abreast of technological trends and assess how their incorporation can improve the efficiency and sustainability of their operations.
6. Funding and Subsidies: The law also opens avenues for the financing of projects that align with its objectives, offering transportation companies the opportunity to access resources for the implementation of innovative and sustainable solutions.
7. Regulation and Compliance: Compliance with the regulations becomes a crucial aspect, with a set of specific regulations intended to ensure that companies adopt sustainable and safe practices. Monitoring of compliance will be rigorous, highlighting the importance of a proactive adaptation to the provisions of the law.

What operational adjustments should transportation companies make?

Transportation companies face the need to implement significant changes to comply with the Sustainable Mobility Law, marking the beginning of a new era in providing cleaner, more efficient, and accessible transportation services. These adjustments not only align with broader environmental and social goals but also represent opportunities to innovate and improve competitiveness. Guraify emerges as a key strategic partner in this process, offering advanced technological solutions and specialized support to facilitate the transition to sustainable transportation practices.

Adoption of Sustainable Practices

1. Fleet Modernization: Transitioning to electric, hybrid, and alternatively fueled vehicles that are less polluting is fundamental. Guraify supports this transition through Guraify Geo, optimizing routes and ensuring an efficient charging infrastructure to maximize the autonomy and efficiency of electric vehicles.
2. Route Optimization and Efficient Fleet Management: The use of advanced software and data analysis techniques allows companies to adjust their operations in real-time, significantly improving energy efficiency. Guraify TMS plays a crucial role here, offering tools for real-time tracking, route optimization, and efficient delivery management.
3. Promotion of Shared and Active Mobility: Encouraging the use of shared services and promoting active transportation alternatives are important steps towards more sustainable mobility. Guraify can facilitate the integration of these options into existing transportation services, improving accessibility and offering better options for users.

Technological Innovation

• The integration of advanced technologies is essential to improve the user experience, increase safety, and reduce environmental impact. Guraify, through its innovative solutions such as AI-powered route optimization and Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platforms, enables companies to quickly adapt to these demands, offering more flexible and efficient services.
• Automated and connected vehicles represent the future of transportation. Participation in pilot projects and the adoption of these technologies can be facilitated by Guraify's expertise and technological support, ensuring that transportation companies remain at the forefront of innovation. ​

Accessibility and Inclusion

• Ensuring that services are accessible to all is a critical component of sustainable mobility. Guraify can help implement assistive technologies and ensure that transportation service information is accessible, improving the experience for all users regardless of their abilities.

Regulatory Compliance

• Keeping up with regulations and ensuring compliance is fundamental. Guraify offers advice and technological solutions that facilitate the monitoring and management of data necessary for sustainability reporting, helping companies navigate the complex regulatory landscape.

Collaboration and Participation

• Fostering a culture of collaboration among different stakeholders is key to the success of sustainable mobility. Guraify can serve as a catalyst for participation in co-creation initiatives and the implementation of training and awareness programs, strengthening commitment to sustainability.

Conclusion:

The Sustainable Mobility Law is a call to action for companies in the transportation and logistics sector, urging them to adopt more sustainable and technologically advanced practices. Although the path to adaptation may be complex, the opportunities to innovate and lead in sustainability are immense.

Your Ally in Transformation: At Guraify, we are ready to accompany you on this journey towards more sustainable and efficient mobility. With our advanced services and personalized approach, we help you comply with current legislation while positioning your company for future success. 
Start your transformation today with Guraify