It will serve as a basis for more in-depth case studies, catering to individual countries' needs based on things like cultural composition or funding availability. Complementing the Observatory are separate research studies on global warming, fuel efficiency, recycling options, strategic planning and travel behavior. One interesting mobility experiment underway in Singapore is the concept of weekend cars. This has eased traffic congestion by encouraging public transit use without discouraging auto ownership. Other approaches include car sharing, an experiment in several German and Swiss cities.
Drivers can borrow a car when needed by paying a membership fee, which is cheaper than renting.
In Japan, an electronic toll system uses a sensor to read a transponder attached to each car and deducts the toll from a driver's prepaid toll account, thus eliminating congestion at toll booths. The financial, environmental and safety issues raised by increased motorization are now a worldwide concern. Over the last 15 years, the number of urban areas in the United States with major congestion problems has increased from 22 percent to nearly 50 percent, costing billions of dollars a year in lost time, energy, efficiency and compensatory pollution control. The increase in auto ownership and use is even greater in Japan and Europe, where severe congestion has led to a prohibition on cars in some city centers. In the industrialized world, changes such as decentralized cities, an aging population and more women in the work force have resulted in a greater demand for mobility and a consequent need for either public transportation or a second household automobile.