Systems Thinking at ETC 2025

A Journey of Growth, Connection, and Inspiration

In 2019, the System Dynamics programme committee proudly hosted its first dedicated sessions at ETC. This year, inspired to broaden its appeal, the committee rebranded as Systems Thinking, offering three paper sessions (including a joint session with Intelligent Mobility Management & Operations), as well as a workshop.

We learnt how causal loop diagrams could be used to explore transport in various ways. CLDs were applied to compare scenarios for traffic management in the era of automated vehicles - demonstrating how e-scooters could improve public health, highlight the important role of bottlenecks in the green maritime transition, identify key policy insights for new mobility concepts within land-use transport interaction and reveal hidden narratives of those most at risk of transport poverty.

Broader systems mapping was featured in two of our papers: one to visualise the complex pathways in which smart mobility can support societal goals, while another showed how network analysis can clarify stakeholder roles and deliver a shared charging infrastructure to support electric vehicle adoption.

The development of new frameworks also featured. Participants were challenged to see transport planning tools as evolving narratives and introduced to a 'transport governance graph' to communicate stakeholder positions - and the 'doughnut economics' model was applied to mobility, focusing on accessibility and wellbeing.

The workshop was a highlight, with participants from diverse backgrounds exploring systems thinking tools to better understand the transition to a sustainable and equitable transport system.

What all speakers and participants agreed on was the value of systems thinking in looking beyond the usual boundaries and creating a common understanding between stakeholders.

Reflecting on ETC 2025, I’m filled with gratitude for the support AET has given us over the years and allowing  systems thinking in transport to gain momentum - it’s a vital lens for tackling the uncertainties and opportunities ahead.