Humans are more mobile, accelerating the flow of goods and knowledge and raising the demand for energy and infrastructure.

• In 1997, 54 percent of the oil purchased by OECD countries was for transport, with 62 percent projected in 2020.

• With little variation around the world, people spend about an hour a day in transit, although those with higher incomes travel greater distances.

• Transport of people and goods is responsible for about one fifth of worldwide energy consumption. Two thirds of transport energy demand in OECD countries is from passenger travel.

• Ocean shipping of cargo has nearly doubled since 1975.

• Mobility of populations and of high-risk individuals such as freight truck drivers is a significant factor in the spread of HIV/AIDS in Southern and Eastern Africa.

Implications for business

Increased mobility creates a 24-hour international business workday that puts workers on the road and accelerates economic and social change.

Transportation also moves knowledge, disease, threats to public safety, and social unrest. Mobility opens market opportunities yet also allows entry of new competitors.

Sustainable mobility is a major area of business investment and innovation as companies race to create affordable and efficient alternative fuel vehicles for freight and transit systems.

In addition to designing efficient technologies, business plays a role along with the public sector to realize easy and equal access to mobility. New technologies will only work in concert with changes in the way public institutions address the real costs of mobility-related infrastructure and energy use.

Locating business activities near public transport, creating links between existing transport hubs, and providing incentives to employees to use public transit systems help encourage the use and development of energy-efficient public transport.