How do rising transport costs and climate extremes impact our daily mobility?

In this recorded "Share Your Science" Research Forum from March 25, 2026, emerging scholars from the VREF NextGen community present and discuss their latest findings on urban transport systems under pressure.

The Volvo Research and Educational Foundations (VREF) inspire, initiate and support research and educational activities for the purpose of contributing to new ideas and solutions for developing sustainable and equitable mobility and access in cities.

Urban mobility systems globally are increasingly shaped by overlapping stressors—from economic shifts to extreme heat and unequal infrastructure. This forum brings together NextGen scholars to examine how these pressures influence travel behavior, access to public transport, and mobility equity, with a particular focus on vulnerable populations.

Welcome and Introduction: Henrik Nolmark, VREF

Moderators: Kwame Odame and Shahan Ahmed

Presentation 1: Impact of Fuel Price Hike and Fare Elasticities of Public Transport in Makurdi Metropolis, Nigeria * Presenter: Paul Terkumbur Adeke. Discussant: Edna Mercy.

Presentation 2: Impact of Extreme Heat on Travel Mode Choice for Vulnerable Demography
Presenter: Shreya Banerjee. 

Presentation 3: Urban Heat and Transit Equity: Assessing Microclimate and Shade Access at Bus Stops in NYC
Presenter: Kasturi Sudesh Salvi. Discussant: Dominic Edem Hotor.

Plenary Discussion and Q&A

The VREF NextGen Scholars Initiative is a global network of PhD students and early-career researchers across VREF’s three core programs: Informal and Shared Mobility (ISM), Mobility and Access in African Cities (MAC), and Walking as a Mode of Transport.Hosted by: Jane Summerton (VREF Scientific Advisor) and Karin Henriksson (VREF Communications Manager).On behalf of the VREF NextGen facilitating team: Shahan Ahmed (ISM), Paschalin Basil (MAC), Obed Bore (ISM), Nisha Nair (Walking), Kwame Odame (MAC), and Maria José Nieto Combariza (Walking).