The current situation and an upcoming change

Analyzing the current situation for the mobility sub-system in Texel we gradually got an insight about the existing infrastructure and also the stakeholders involved in it. Someone could say that mobility in Texel is basically based on the use of private car, the Ferry and lastly the Texelhopper bus.

Due to its geographical and demographical characteristics, Texel—and in general every island—is a challenging place to set up a successful public transport system. Both locals and tourists rely very much on private cars to travel to, or around the island. Tourism is the main engine of Texel’s economy: every year, the number of temporary visitors keeps growing and the island adapts to cover the demand. However, according to our perception, it has not been planned a way to provide tourists with sustainable transport. For example, next year, a new ferry with bigger capacity for cars and travelers will replace the actual one.

It is reasonable to ask why an increase of private cars is unsustainable. Our opinion is that apart from the environmental impact that cars have, which doesn’t affect Texel directly, a big number of cars can damage the natural environment image that Texel has nowadays. Encouraging tourists to bring their own cars will not only affect the comfort of the locals during high season, but also make the island less attractive to visitors that are looking for a natural environment holidays.

For the purpose of leading Texel to a more sustainable direction we have to work together with the stakeholders that are involved in the sub-system and possibly with people that are interested in getting involved. The Ferry company, the rental companies, public transport, the local governmental bodies and of course the users are the main parts of this picture.

A positive fact for the aspect of mobility is the obvious interest of Texel community in the development of this sector. They already have tried for the integration of the electric cars and the increase of the popularity of the bike.

Another fact is the willingness of Texel municipality to keep the interest of the visitors high and if possible to increase tourism. This means that comfort in transportation is of great importance for the economical life of the island. We have always kept this parameter in mind as, undoubtedly, a proposal can only be successful when the group it is made for feels positive about it.

The main problem we encountered is the high number of private cars, especially during the high-seasons. The reflection of the problem is not only the affection of the environment, but also the visual pollution created in the surroundings. Texel island could ideally appear as a natural landscape where people can enjoy nature along the coastline without having to walk along long parking lots. Therefore our approach supports an eco-friendly and human friendly development for transport systems with the main goal of decreasing the use of private car.

Our vision

Our perception is that we will try to provide Texel municipality with a vision for a better future in transportation that steams from the research we have done towards the future of mobility worldwide (for example the scenario for automated vehicles integrated in centrally controlled systems), but also a sensitive approach to the human needs. Within this proposal people can maybe recognize themselves which characteristics of the current system are effective and which are not. As it has been introduced during the courses a strong vision can become a guideline and create motivation.

We do see Texel as a living area with satisfactory life quality that will follow the transport trends of the more healthy parts of Europe in the future. Therefore, we distinguished the transport developments that show potential for Texel and we integrated them in two pathways with the aim of creating “smooth and smart transitions”. “Smooth and smart” characterization has the meaning of bringing changes that appear in total as links/parts of the same chain, so that every step has its own purpose. A good example for this is that the replacement of private polluting cars with private electric cars is not suggested as a measurement to be taken by Texel municipality. Instead, the idea of car sharing and electric cars rental are parts of our pathways. The reason for this is that it is predicted that the private car concept will be replaced by companies that rent cars in the long term. Therefore it would not be economically efficient for the people to replace their cars.

Reflection of our vision on the current sub-system

As presented in the previous chapter, for the long term, we would like to introduce to the island a car-sharing concept that can be helpful for the decrease in the number of cars and developments in relation with bicycles and cycle paths. Such changes can create positive impact also on human relationships. Texelaars and tourists can come closer and socialize during transportation time (cycling and taking a drive together). This way daily life becomes more alive and a reason for Texel’s fame to grow as a hostile place is created.

The next steps bring in car-sharing facilities controlled by companies to end up with automotive vehicles in 2065. And here comes the question about which pathway has potential for implementation in Texel: The first one where big private companies take advantage of the system or the second one where every Texelaar can potentially become an owner? How will the transitions from the current sub-system to these levels happen? The potential for start-up companies and entrepreneurs to get involved and reshape the structure of the current system is definitely a crucial part for the realization of the pathway.

The entrepreneurs involved in these transitions should be supporters of the sustainable mobility future. On a different extension, the stakeholders that take advantage of the existing mobility infrastructure, including the vehicles in use, are expected to express their opposition to radical changes. Moreover, the new companies will develop new dynamics, based on the “power” that they will collect (the success). The Conflicts between all the stakeholders involved will affect the development of the mobility system.

To end up with, we are aware of the fact that our proposal does not work together with the new bigger Ferry boat that can transport more private cars. The reason for this is simply that enhancing people to be transported by car using the Ferry would work against the sustainability factor which is the driving force (initiative) within the context of this course.

Finally, our intension is to call people from Texel to become a part of our project and be the first to ask for a change and bring the change for a healthier mobility system.