Work

Setting boundaries and thresholds in transportation research and policy: Between principles of sufficientarianism and limitarianism

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This paper rethinks transport research and practice by integrating two distributive justice principles: sufficientarianism and limitarianism. While sufficiency has shaped debates on minimum accessibility, basic needs and mobility rights, the notion of upper thresholds or limits, central to limitarian thinking, remains underexplored. Drawing on transport, environmental, and political philosophy scholarship, we propose a normative mobility-accessibility-wellbeing corridor that guarantees accessibility to fulfill basic needs while curbing resource-intensive travel that exacerbates environmental degradation and undermines collective wellbeing. Combining features of a narrative and critical review, we examine cross-disciplinary frameworks on boundaries, critically discuss the main challenges when defining and navigating trade-offs between lower and upper thresholds in transportation, and illustrate how these principles are associated with established and emerging transport policies. We conclude with a discussion of further conceptual, empirical, and policy-oriented research directions opened up by this approach.

Source: Transportation Research Part D Transport and Environment

DOI: 10.1016/j.trd.2026.105703

Authors: Ignacio Tiznado-Aitken, Jaime Soza-Parra

Institutions: University of Toronto, Utrecht University

Language: English

Topic: Political Philosophy and Ethics

Subfield: Political Science and International Relations

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Sustainable cities and communities, Reduced inequalities, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,450