Mycomobility: Analysis of human transport through a mycorrhizal analogy

The field of transportation research addresses the complexities of a particular sociotechnical system. Its usual focus is on human transportation systems, but non-human systems that effect transportation are also abundant in nature. This paper draws an analogy between modern human transportation systems and mycorrhizal networks (MN), the underground networks formed by fungi and plants for resource transportation. By examining MN, the study aims to extract insights applicable to human transport and to explore potential reciprocal learnings about natural systems. The research emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach that acknowledges both the technical and social dimensions of transport. The primary focus is to propose improvements to human transportation by learning from the natural efficiency of MN, thereby fostering a more holistic understanding and implementation of transport solutions. • Non-human transportation systems are abundant in nature. • Transportation science does not need to limit itself to humans. • Mycorrhizal Networks (MN) can be studied as a transport system. • Human transportation can be improved by learning from the natural efficiency of MN.