Urban mobility is a critical element of city development, economic expansion and quality of life. It enables citizens to meet their daily needs for work, education and leisure.
Cars were once the go-to mode of urban mobility. Unfortunately, however, their use contributes to climate change, traffic congestion and noise pollution – it is time to transition toward sustainable modes of transportation.
Modes of transport
Urban residents have access to numerous transport systems for urban mobility. Each transport method varies in terms of its suitability for specific travel needs, from walking and public transit through private vehicles and cycling/motorcycling to motorized systems like hoverboards.
Automobiles have become the primary mode of transport in cities worldwide, representing both status and autonomy while creating significant externalities such as noise pollution. Other modes include ferries, cable cars and water buses.
Public transport such as metros and trams provides safe, efficient, and sustainable mobility to commuters, travellers, residents, and travellers. Public transit also increases territorial accessibility while simultaneously supporting social inclusion by serving lower income households, women, older adults and rural/periurban areas.
Multimodal transport
Multimodal transportation options are essential to meeting the needs of our cities and communities, helping reduce traffic congestion and emissions while making roads safer for all users. They also form part of our vision for “15-minute cities”, where residents can meet basic needs such as health services, public transit access, fresh food within 15 minutes of walking or riding their bicycle.
Urban trips typically utilize a modal split method of transportation mode selection, taking into account various modes used during their journey. Utilizing different modes can increase efficiency and lower costs – for instance, rail and water transport may be better suited for long distance freight distribution than trucks are for doorstep delivery.
This paper presents a design algorithm to maximize travel utility in urban areas by optimizing the location and capacity of shared multimodal mobility hubs to increase travel utility. Our model relies on real traffic data as part of its macroscopic demand model that mimics an accurate representation of real cities.
Mobility as a service (MaaS)
MaaS is a user-oriented approach to transport that provides different modes of travel on one platform, from simple platforms that offer integrated route and mode information through booking, payment and billing capabilities for different modes. MaaS services may be provided by any number of companies from basic platforms providing route and mode info through to complex services offering booking, payment and billing for multiple forms of transit.
Public transit, commuter trains, taxis and city bikes can all be booked through one app, while users can add private car rental or Uber for added flexibility on their trips. Similar to mobile phone plans where users select which services they’d like to pay for on a monthly basis rather than individually.
MaaS can significantly decrease car usage and is particularly attractive to organizations that employ employees commuting to work. Furthermore, this MaaS solution reduces company car requirements as well as their associated costs such as parking fees and maintenance.
Integrated transport
Integrated transport refers to the seamless interconnectivity of various modes of transportation. Its role is essential in creating optimal routes and seamless transfers, which makes public transit systems more convenient, efficient, and environmentally-friendly.
Redesign of urban space to connect various transport networks requires redesign of urban space, including multimodal hubs and transit-oriented developments, while also implementing digital solutions like real-time service information and intelligent mobility systems that optimize routes, minimize time waste, and maximize passenger convenience.
WRI supports urban mobility initiatives that increase access to jobs, services, and opportunities while decreasing emissions. WRI promotes urban mobility initiatives aimed at creating equitable, accessible, and sustainable public transport – whether this involves private sector innovation, supporting digital mapping efforts, or encouraging collaboration among cities, shipping companies, urban mobility providers and urban mobility providers. By integrating passenger and freight transport systems cities can reduce congestion, air pollution levels, save law enforcement resources as well as enhance their quality of life – ultimately improving quality of life in their residents as well as strengthening global economies.