Urban Mobility

Lead-in

  • How do people usually get around in a big city?
    • What is your favorite mode of transportation?

Presentation

Pre

  • What do you think are the biggest challenges with transportation in big cities?
    • Can you think of any solutions to these problems?
    • How do you think cities will change in the future to improve transportation?

Top Down

  • What is the text about? Read it and find out.
  • How to improve public transportation
  • “Dos and don’ts” of urban mobility
  • The future of urban mobility
  • How to improve public transportation
  • “Dos and don’ts” of urban mobility
  • The future of urban mobility

With the rapid growth of urban populations and the increased demand for efficient transportation systems, many cities are making significant changes to improve urban mobility. Governments worldwide are focusing on reducing traffic congestion and improving public transportation options. For example, within the next five years, there are going to be multiple new bus lanes introduced in major metropolitan areas. In addition to public transport improvements, there will be a greater focus on environmentally friendly modes of transport. It’s expected that there might be a substantial increase in the number of cycle lanes, as well as shared mobility services, such as bike and car-sharing clubs.

Another change that experts are predicting is the gradual decline in the use of private cars. Due to environmental concerns and technological advancements, there won’t be as many private cars on the road in the future. In fact, some cities are already planning to limit the number of parking spaces available downtown. Instead, there are going to be designated areas for electric scooters and other forms of micro-mobility.

One of the most significant predictions for the future involves the use of roundabouts. Studies show that roundabouts can reduce traffic accidents and improve the flow of vehicles. As a result, there will be a major increase in the number of roundabouts in urban areas, especially at intersections with high traffic volumes. However, experts also suggest that there might be fewer pedestrians in busy city centers due to the rise of autonomous vehicles and shared electric scooters. Cities are adapting to these changes by investing in infrastructure that will make streets safer and more accessible to all.

Bottom Up

  • True or False
  1. There are going to be fewer bus lanes in the future
  2. The number of private cars on the road is expected to increase.
  3. Governments are planning to increase parking spaces in downtown areas.
  4. Electric scooters and micro-mobility services will have designated areas in the future.
  5. There won’t be any more public transport improvements in the coming years.
  6. Governments are not concerned about environmental impacts when planning urban mobility changes
  1. There are going to be fewer bus lanes in the future. False
  2. The number of private cars on the road is expected to increase. False
  3. Governments are planning to increase parking spaces in downtown areas. False
  4. Electric scooters and micro-mobility services will have designated areas in the future. True
  5. There won’t be any more public transport improvements in the coming years. False
  6. Governments are not concerned about environmental impacts when planning urban mobility changes. False

Post

  • What are the main changes predicted for urban mobility in the future?
    • Which do you think is the most urgent one? Why?

S

Urban Mobility

  • Private transport
  • A car club / car sharing service
  • A parking space
  • Roundabout
  • Junction
  • Traffic jam
  • Traffic light
  • Bypass / Ring road / Beltway
  • A cycle lane
  • A bus lane

There Be for predicting the future

There + Modal verb + Be

  • There will be more cycle lanes from now on.
  • I think there won’t be a lot of pedestrians.
  • There might be fewer traffic jams. 

There + Be going to + Be

  • There are going to be a lot of zebra crossings downtown.
  • There‘s going to be one more bridge two years from now.
  • There are going to be more roundabouts.

Controlled Practice

  • Match the words to their meaning. 
  1. Private transport
  2. Cycle lane
  3. Roundabout
  4. Car sharing service
  5. Bus lane
  6. Bypass

(   ) A circular intersection designed to improve traffic flow
(   ) A system where cars can be rented for short periods
(   ) A section of the road exclusively for buses
(   ) A space on the side of the road reserved for bicycles
(   ) A method of transportation where individuals use their own vehicle
(   ) A road built to avoid going through the center of a town

  1. Private transport
  2. Cycle lane
  3. Roundabout
  4. Car sharing service
  5. Bus lane
  6. Bypass

(3) A circular intersection designed to improve traffic flow
(4) A system where cars can be rented for short periods
(5) A section of the road exclusively for buses
(2) A space on the side of the road reserved for bicycles
(1) A method of transportation where individuals use their own vehicle
(6) A road built to avoid going through the center of a town

Freer Practice

  • Use the target language and complete the sentences according to your own ideas.
  1. In the future, there is going to…
  2. I think that public transportation…
  3. In my city there will…
  4. Regarding public mobility, there might…
  5. I really hope there…

Production

  • Use the target language to write predictions for the future. Make predictions using each of the urban mobility vocabulary.

Example: I believe that the use of private transportation is going to be reduced and so is the pollution it causes.

Homework

Match the words to their meanings.

  1. Private transport
  2. Traffic jam
  3. Roundabout
  4. Traffic light
  5. Cycle lane
  6. Bus lane

(   ) A situation where a large number of vehicles are stuck on the road and cannot move quickly.

(   ) A light-controlled system at intersections, indicating when vehicles can move or stop.

(   ) A type of transportation owned by an individual, such as a car or motorcycle.

(   ) A specific lane on the road for bicycles.

(   ) A lane on the road reserved for buses only.

(   ) A circular intersection where traffic moves in one direction around a central island.

  1. Private transport
  2. Traffic jam
  3. Roundabout
  4. Traffic light
  5. Cycle lane
  6. Bus lane

(2) A situation where a large number of vehicles are stuck on the road and cannot move quickly.

(4) A light-controlled system at intersections, indicating when vehicles can move or stop.

(1) A type of transportation owned by an individual, such as a car or motorcycle.

(5) A specific lane on the road for bicycles.

(6) A lane on the road reserved for buses only.

(3) A circular intersection where traffic moves in one direction around a central island.

Choose one of the options for each context.

  1. ____ more traffic lights in the city center.
    a) There is going to be
    b) There are going to be
    c) There might

  2. ____ fewer private cars on the road next year.
    a) There are might be
    b) There are going be
    c) There is be

  3. ____ a new bypass to divert traffic away from the city.
    a) There are going to be
    b) There might be
    c) There be

  1. ____ a lot of parking spaces near the shopping mall.
    a) There will
    b) There is going to be
    c) There might be not

  2. ____ more cycle lanes in the city soon.
    a) There might be not
    b) There are going to be
    c) There will be one

  3. ____ any new roundabouts next year.
    a) There might not
    b) There will not be
    c) There might be

  1. ____ more traffic lights in the city center.
    a) There is going to be
    b) There are going to be
    c) There might

  2. ____ fewer private cars on the road next year.
    a) There are might be
    b) There are going be
    c) There is be

  3. ____ a new bypass to divert traffic away from the city.
    a) There are going to be
    b) There might be
    c) There be

  1. ____ a lot of parking spaces near the shopping mall.
    a) There will
    b) There is going to be
    c) There might be not

  2. ____ more cycle lanes in the city soon.
    a) There might be not
    b) There are going to be
    c) There will be one

  3. ____ any new roundabouts next year.
    a) There might not
    b) There will not be
    c) There might be

Complete the sentences with the correct word.

  • Cycle lane – Traffic light –  Bus lane – Roundabout – Junction – Parking space 
  1. A ______ is where two or more roads meet and vehicles need to be careful about right-of-way.
  2. A ______ is a circular intersection where cars move in one direction around a central island.
  3. A ______ is a place where cars can be left temporarily while the driver runs errands.
  4. A ______ is a lane on the road specifically designated for bicycles.
  5. A ______ controls traffic by showing green, yellow, and red lights.
  6. A ______ is a lane designated only for buses.
  1. A junction is where two or more roads meet and vehicles need to be careful about right-of-way.
  2. A roundabout is a circular intersection where cars move in one direction around a central island.
  3. A parking space is a place where cars can be left temporarily while the driver runs errands.
  4. A cycle lane is a lane on the road specifically designated for bicycles.
  5. A traffic light controls traffic by showing green, yellow, and red lights.
  6. A bus lane is a lane designated only for buses.

Put the words in the correct order

Example: have partner. you your an argument polite when Be with > Be polite when you have an argument with your partner.

  1. will / parking spaces / be / there / more / in the city center.
  2. not / might / traffic jam / there / be / tomorrow morning.
  3. junction / will / there / be / a / at the new development.
  4. fewer / traffic lights / there / might / be / installed / next year.
  5. will / a new / bypass / be / there / to reduce congestion.
  6. be / there / bus lane / a / might / near the school.
  1. There will be more parking spaces in the city center.
  2. There might not be a traffic jam tomorrow morning.
  3. There will be a junction at the new development.
  4. There might be fewer traffic lights installed next year.
  5. There will be a new bypass to reduce congestion.
  6. There might be a bus lane near the school.

Find and correct the mistakes.

  1. There might be a new cycle lane build next to the park.
  2. There will being more parking spaces available next year.
  3. There won’t be any traffic jams because there are a bypass.
  4. There might not be a lot of pedestrians in a bus lane.
  5. There will be installed more traffic lights at the junction.
  6. There might be a roundabout at the end of the road, but it hasn’t build yet.
  1. There might be a new cycle lane built next to the park.
  2. There will be more parking spaces available next year.
  3. There won’t be any traffic jams because there is a bypass.
  4. There might not be a lot of pedestrians on a bus lane.
  5. There will be more traffic lights at the junction.
  6. There might be a roundabout at the end of the road, but it hasn’t been built yet.

Writing

Write a short text about the future of your city using the words in the target language.

Example: In my opinion, there won’t be a lot of new cycle lanes because…