Search Results (30)

Promoting and increasing sustainable mobility has become more of a focus in transport and mobility policies and plans. However, challenges remain in its implementation in low-density urban areas, which are usually highly dependent on private motorised transport. This study investigates how local actors and citizens in a low-density suburban area perceive the main mobility challenges and opportunities, contributing empirical evidence on how collaborative planning operationalises accessibility-oriented mobility models in low-density suburban territories, an under-researched context in sustainable mobility. It also examines how co-creation processes contribute to identifying barriers and priorities and to what extent proximity-based concepts such as the 15-Minute City, Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), and Mobility as a Service (MaaS) can be reinterpreted for low-density suburban realities. The methodological approach involved three focus groups with local actors and citizens to identify barriers, priorities, and strategies through collective discussion and co-creation. This process resulted in an agreement on eight (8) co-created strategies, revealing convergence towards promoting active modes and public transport and emphasising that accessibility depends on territorial redesign, digital integration, and inclusive governance. The findings contribute to the empirical evidence that participatory and context-sensitive approaches can enable sustainable mobility transitions in suburban areas by efficiently meeting people’s needs and aspirations. Full article

The sustainable development of urban transportation is facing various challenges, including traffic congestion, increasing carbon emissions, and diversified travel demands. New concepts of mobility and business models are emerging to address these challenging conditions, such as mobility as a service (MaaS). As a new paradigm of travel services, users’ recognition, acceptance, and continuous use of MaaS are prerequisites for its survival and development. Hence, to ensure the successful implementation of MaaS, it is crucial to precisely identify the key factors influencing individuals’ willingness to use MaaS. In order to analyze the mechanisms that influence individuals’ willingness to use MaaS, this study first conceptualized a behavioral model by drawing on the modified Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the fundamental characteristics of MaaS. Based on the behavioral model, a structured questionnaire consisting of eight sections and thirty-three questions was designed and conducted online in Beijing, China. A total of 1260 valid questionnaire data were collected, and a descriptive analysis was conducted on the collected data, including the frequency distribution and intention to use MaaS based on the socioeconomic and mobility characteristics. Then, reliability and validity analyses were conducted on the questionnaire data using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient method and the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) method, respectively. Finally, the behavioral model was analyzed quantitatively using the Structural Equation Model (SEM). The results show that 77.62% of the respondents are willing to use MaaS after it is implemented, and 44.29% of them strongly agree to using it, while 2.06% of them strongly disagree to using it. Travel philosophy, travel preference, and perceived usefulness have positive impacts on individuals’ behavioral intention to use MaaS, while perceived usefulness exerts the greatest influence, with a coefficient of 0.364. Meanwhile, the latent variable of perceived risk has a significantly negative impact on behavioral intention, with a coefficient of −0.141. From the perspective of observed variables, convenience and efficiency are the most important factors affecting intention to use MaaS, while environment protection is the least influential factor. The results of this study can provide a decision-making basis for transportation planners, MaaS service providers, and policymakers, enhancing the level of sustainable development of urban transportation. Full article

The urban landscape of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, faces significant mobility challenges, primarily stemming from rapid urbanization, overpopulation, and outdated infrastructure. These challenges necessitate the exploration of modern smart mobility concepts to improve traffic flow, road safety, and sustainability. This study investigates the potential of solutions such as Mobility-as-a-Service, car sharing, micro-mobility, Vehicle-as-a-Service, and electric vehicles in addressing these challenges. Through a comparative analysis of global implementations, this research identifies key success factors and barriers that inform the feasibility of integrating these solutions into Kinshasa’s unique socio-political and infrastructural context. The study presents a conceptual framework, supported by stakeholder analysis, for adapting these solutions locally. A detailed feasibility analysis considers technological, economic, social, environmental, and regulatory factors, offering a clear roadmap for implementation. Drawing on lessons from cities facing similar urban mobility challenges, the paper concludes with actionable recommendations and insights for policymakers and urban planners in Kinshasa. This research not only highlights the viability of smart mobility solutions in Kinshasa but also contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable urban development in rapidly growing cities. While smart mobility studies have largely focused on cities with developed infrastructure, there is a gap in understanding how these solutions apply to cities like Kinshasa with different infrastructural and socio-political contexts. Previous research has often overlooked the challenges of integrating smart mobility in rapidly urbanizing cities with underdeveloped transportation systems and financial constraints. This study fills that gap by offering a feasibility analysis tailored to Kinshasa, assessing smart mobility solutions for its traffic congestion and road safety issues. The smart mobility solutions studied—Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS), car sharing, electric vehicles (EVs), and micro-mobility—were chosen for their ability to address Kinshasa’s key mobility challenges. MaaS reduces reliance on private vehicles, easing congestion and improving public transport. Car sharing offers affordable alternatives to vehicle ownership, essential in a city with income inequality. EVs align with sustainability goals by reducing emissions, while micro-mobility (bikes and e-scooters) improves last-mile connectivity, addressing public transit gaps. These solutions are adaptable to Kinshasa’s context and offer scalable, sustainable improvements for urban mobility. Full article

(1) Background: Public transport has a vital role to play in creating sustainable, accessible societies. Accessible and inclusive, door-to-door public transport systems with low barriers to use benefit everyone, increasing the mobility of citizens and improving independence. As the industry strives towards multi-modal and Mobility as a Service (MaaS) concepts, there is a need to delve deep into the needs and perceptions of transport user’s door-to-door journeys to find ways to improve. Accordingly, in order to increase the sustainability of MaaS, improving accessibility and understanding service user perceptions are of utmost importance. However, there is a scarcity of research within national transport services to determine unmet user needs to increase the accessibility and autonomy of door-to-door journeys. This research aims to investigate if it is possible to improve the door-to-door journey experience for public transport travellers, increasing the accessibility and the perception of autonomy via technology, and by doing so, providing a more sustainable alternative to road transport. It focuses on understanding service users of Ireland’s National Rail service, Irish Rail, to create key improvements in interactive systems. (2) Methods: The study applies a user-centred mixed-methods methodology using surveys (N = 316) and co-design workshops (four workshops N = 15). The research collected deep insights into the mindsets and needs of service users, showing the potential to improve this door-to-the-door customer journey. Key improvements for interactive systems were outlined. Experience maps were designed, leading to a Conceptual Design for a travel assistant to aid the service user throughout the door-to-door journey. (3) Results: Travellers’ autonomy and the sense of freedom they experience can be improved, mainly if their needs across the complete door-to-door customer journey are supported. Highlighted areas for action include information, accessibility, personal security, ticketing, comfort, facilities, and anxiety. (4) Conclusions: This research reiterates the need for national transport and MaaS providers to prioritise service users’ perspectives when developing sustainable services. Co-designing is recommended as a means of achieving this. Full article

This paper presents the initial steps taken in analysing the benefits of connected autonomous vehicles (CAVs), especially Modular Autonomous Vehicles (MAVs), in search of sustainable solutions for reducing energy consumption per passenger in air transport. For this particular case, a Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) solution is proposed, correlating airside transport with landside transport, as an urban mobility alternative. To better understand the benefits of the proposal, this paper studies the impact on energy consumption conceptual differences between a conventional public transport fleet using Battery Electric Buses (BEBs) and an MAV fleet. Simulations for simple public transport tasks are performed to highlight the advantages of the modular vehicle concept, in which routes are assigned dynamically based on the requested passenger carrying capacity and travel distance, aiming to optimize the efficiency of the entire system. With a proven reduction in energy consumption due to better use of available passenger capacity and reduced travel times in which the vehicle is driving with a number of passengers less than half of its capacity, the concept can be addressed further in developing a predictive system that processes public transport data and delivers an optimized schedule for the entire fleet. The main goal being to improve overall operational efficiency and total cost of ownership, the second part of the paper studies the impact of weight distribution on efficiency parameters such as energy consumption, range, and overall performance of an electric bus. The impact on dynamic elements such as acceleration, braking, and cornering performance is analyzed, to assess the viability and safety of all types of electric bus operations. Full article

Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is an innovative urban mobility concept that aims to provide a competitive alternative to the use of private cars, by integrating various transportation services. Until today, limited MaaS schemes have been implemented and, in most cases, without succeeding to justify the hype. For achieving the goals of MaaS it is essential to capture holistically the expectations and barriers, as perceived by both the end-users and the various involved stakeholders. This paper aims to bridge this gap, by conducting two surveys in the city of Thessaloniki, Greece; the first survey targeted local authorities, organizations and mobility providers, while the second survey focused on (potential) end-users. The responses of stakeholders were analyzed through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method, in order to identify the importance of barriers and expectations. On the other hand, the responses of end-users were analyzed statistically and two ordered logit models were developed for identifying the characteristics of those that are more likely to adopt MaaS. The results of the analyses indicate that there is a loop between MaaS and private car usage; on the one hand, the dominance of private cars hinders the adoption of MaaS, but on the other hand, MaaS can be a “tool” for encountering car domination. The results also enhance the idea that public transport is an essential component of MaaS. Full article

Cities worldwide are calling for smart mobility strategies to tackle the negative externalities of their transport networks. Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is expected to introduce a new mobility model that promotes smarter and more sustainable urban futures. Given the novelty of the concept, this paper explores the implications that might arise from the implementation of MaaS in today’s metropolises in relation to the six dimensions of smart cities: smart governance, smart economy, smart mobility, smart environment, smart people, and smart living. To this end, 42 semi-structured interviews with MaaS stakeholders were conducted in Madrid (Spain). Thematic analysis identified a set of 35 urban implications. The success of MaaS requires more than the mere deployment of technologies and must be supported by the reorganisation of institutional structures, the reform of the regulatory scenario, the stimulation of innovation-based entrepreneurship, the promotion of environmental awareness, the encouragement of cultural transition, and the consideration of the public sphere. Overall, valuable insights are identified for policymakers when designing MaaS. Assessment of multiple stakeholders’ perspectives enables a holistic understanding of these strategies and thus maximises their potential to address the limitations of our complex mobility systems in meeting urban sustainability goals. Full article

Concerning the increase in the number of trips and tourists after the COVID-19 pandemic, TSPs (Transport Service Providers) and transport organizations are trying to improve their operability to answer the needs and expectations of passengers. This paper presents a methodology to assess and evaluate to what extent innovative technologies meet the needs of tourists and TSPs involved in the digital ecosystem for door-to-door trips in Europe, making railways and public transport more attractive and consequently encouraging people to use more intermodal solutions in public transport. In this study, two kinds of quantitative data are used: operational KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and USI (User Satisfaction Index) surveys. The Effectiveness concept, as a metric of the capacity to meet these needs and expectations by the innovative technology, is calculated by merging both types of quantitative data. The method considers tourists’ socio-demographic profiles, allowing comparisons among TSPs and profiles for a specific technology, and it is extended to figure out correlations among variables through regression and Bayesian Networks analysis. In addition, specific socio-demographic data relevant to the needs and expectations were studied through the ANOVA test. This work belongs to the methodological framework of the IP4MaaS (Innovation Program 4 Mobility as a Service) project, which sets six demo sites on which this assessment method will be applied in a further stage. The concept of Effectiveness is applied in all the above-mentioned demo sites for the final assessment. Some IT innovations such as Location-Based Experience and Journey Planning have shown high Effectiveness. This work could be interesting for TSPs and IT (Information Technology) developers, researchers, policymakers, and organizations in the transport sector. Full article

Sudden events are being observed more often (pandemics, armed conflicts, high inflation, etc.). Urban transport systems are especially susceptible to sudden disruptions as manifested by sharp changes in user preferences and demand for transport services. Mobility as a service (MaaS) aims to improve the efficiency of urban transport systems and support the integration of various forms of transport. The main goal of the research is to assess the level of MaaS use and check what characteristics could influence using MaaS by different groups of users. A case study of the Tri-City, the largest urban centre in northern Poland, was used to examine the possibility of implementing MaaS. We assumed that the use of IT applications would help to reduce the challenges faced by mobility in modern cities. We hypothesised that MaaS is conducive to integrating transport in the city. Knowledge of MaaS acceptance is essential in implementing this concept and can help local authorities respond to sudden disruptions by increasing flexibility in shaping urban mobility. Poland still lacks a universal multimodal solution that would help optimise travel within the cities and actions should be undertaken to popularise digital solutions that improve the efficiency and organisation of PT. Full article

Mobility as a Service (MaaS) combines various modes of transportation to present mobility services to travellers based on their transport needs. This paper proposes a knowledge-based framework based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to integrate various mobility data types and provide travellers with customized services. The proposed framework includes a knowledge acquisition process to extract and structure data from multiple sources of information (such as mobility experts and weather data). It also adds new information to a knowledge base and improves the quality of previously acquired knowledge. We discuss how AI can help discover knowledge from various data sources and recommend sustainable and personalized mobility services with explanations. The proposed knowledge-based AI framework is implemented using a synthetic dataset as a proof of concept. Combining different information sources to generate valuable knowledge is identified as one of the challenges in this study. Finally, explanations of the proposed decisions provide a criterion for evaluating and understanding the proposed knowledge-based AI framework. Full article

Urban areas constitute one of the main issues of sustainability as defined by the United Nations with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The recent smart city concept represents a way for achieving the urban sustainability goals. The European Commission (EC) bases the smart city concept on three pillars: energy, transport and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The main objective of the paper is to investigate the European smart city process, by focusing on urban mobility and their interconnections with the other two pillars. The methodological approach of territorial planning is used by identifying the plan dimensions and then analyzing the processes at master and sectorial level. The applied processes are verified with a review of the European documents that constitute the rules for defining and implementing the smart city concept. European guidelines indicate the SUMP as the integrated master plan that contributes to reach the convergence among energy, transport and ICT processes. By focusing on people mobility sector, European cities are implementing the Mobility as a Service (MaaS) plan at the sectorial level. This implies the necessity to enhance the knowledge of mobility phenomenon, in relation to emerging ICT and their impact on energy consumptions. The contribution of the work is given by the identification of a planning and implementation path focused on smart city, in urban areas, which connects the general goals of Agenda 2030 with the daily implications for citizens and therefore with the specific results. The paper results are useful: from one side, for researchers that work on advancements of theories, and from another side, for planners and decision makers to explore the European attempts towards urban sustainability and the real implementations on urban mobility systems. Full article

Social and economic development leads to the continuous urbanization process, accompanied by the increasingly prominent traffic congestion problem. Traffic congestion also brings problems such as serious environmental pollution and intensified social conflicts. Therefore, how to alleviate traffic congestion has become a concern of the government and related researchers. As the main cause of urban traffic, the efficiency of urban commuting is considered as the best embodiment of urban functionality. The mobile as a service (Maas) system may be a better solution. In order to make the mobile as a service system more popular, it is necessary to understand the internal motivations driving people’s corresponding behaviors. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the internal logic of consumer identity, attitude and related intentions through a structural equation model and chi-square analyses. The final behavioral intention of commuting consumers towards MaaS was explored by integrating relevant theoretical models and comparing different levels of identification and the views of different consumers towards MaaS. A result was provided that can be used by relevant government agencies or practitioners in order to gain a deeper understanding of the internal perceptions of consumers and promote the optimization and innovation of MaaS systems. In addition, the results of this study also identified the potential necessary factors for the adoption of MaaS by commuting consumers, which may influence the improvement or development of relevant policies. The results showed that the model used in this study was applicable to the consumption cognition of the MaaS system in the commuting scenario, which shows that the model has a certain effect in explaining consumers’ sustainable consumption attitudes, identities and intentions. The internalization of sustainable identity is the most important part for consumers, which indicates that consumers attach great importance to self-value affirmation and mutual affirmation of sustainable concepts. However, in the consumer group, there were still some consumers who had not transformed their sustainable attitudes and recognitions into actual behavior. Converting such consumers is, therefore, crucial and an important step towards sustainable development. Full article

Urban mobility is evolving today towards the concept of Mobility as a Service (MaaS). MaaS allows passengers to use different transport services as a single option, by using a digital platform. Therefore, according to the MaaS concept, the mobility needs of passengers are the central element of the transport service. The objective of this paper is to build an updated state-of-the-art of the main disaggregated and aggregated variables connected to travel demand in presence of MaaS. According to the above objective, this paper deals with methods and case studies to analyze passengers’ behaviour in the presence of MaaS. The methods described rely on the Transportation System Models (TSMs), in particular with the travel demand modelling component. The travel demand may be estimated by means of disaggregated, or sample, surveys (e.g., individual choices) and of aggregate surveys (e.g., characteristics of the area, traffic flows). The surveys are generally supported by Information Communication System (ICT) tools, such as: smartphones; smartcards; Global Position Systems (GPS); points of interest. The analysis of case studies allows to aggregate the existing scientific literature according to some criteria: the choice dimension of users (e.g., mode, bundle and path, or a combination of them); the characteristics of the survey (e.g., revealed preferences or stated preferences); the presence of behavioural theoretical background and of calibrated choice model(s). Full article

Urban mobility is one of the main issues in the pursuit of sustainability. The United Nations 2030 Agenda assigns mobility and transport central roles in sustainable development and its components: economic, social, and environment. In this context, the emerging concept of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) offers an alternative to unsustainable mobility, often based on private car use. From the point of view of sustainable mobility, the MaaS paradigm implies greater insights into the transport system and its components (supply, demand, and reciprocal interactions). This paper proposes an approach to the transport system aimed at overcoming the current barriers to the implementation of the paradigm. The focus is on the implications for the transport supply subsystem. The investigation method is based on the analysis of the main components of such subsystem (governance, immaterial, material, equipment) and its role in the entire transport system. Starting with the first experiences of Finnish cities, the paper investigates some real case studies, which are experimenting with MaaS, to find common and uncommon elements. From the analyses, it emerges that the scientific literature and real experiences mainly focus on the immaterial components alone. To address the challenges related to sustainable mobility, this paper underlines the need to consider all components within a transport system approach. The findings of the paper are useful in several contexts. In the context of research, the paper offers an analysis of the transport supply system from the point of view of the MaaS paradigm. In the real context, the paper offers further useful insights for operators and decision-makers who intend to increase the knowledge and skills necessary to face challenges related to the introduction of MaaS. Full article

The number of publications about mobility as a service (MaaS) has increased rapidly in the past years, spreading into various fields. In this paper, a total of 127 scientific publications about MaaS are reviewed and categorized into an overarching thematic framework in order to highlight key areas of research and further potential. Three research questions are highlighted in this review: (1) which topics are discussed in the existing MaaS literature? (2) what are the main results in the specific fields? and (3) where are gaps for further research? Publications have focused substantially on the topics of the market, users, data and technology, and the impact on the transportation system. The review shows that, regarding the concept, multi-level approaches have been established for the organization and cooperation of the actors involved, showing different levels of integration of public and private actors on a regional and supra-regional level. Various groups have already been identified as potential users, but the relatively low willingness to pay and the requirements regarding the individualization of mobility services pose problems that have not yet been solved. There is also a constant and unsolved challenge regarding the sensitive motion data that must be stored and processed. Significant research is still needed, including assessments of the impact of MaaS and what effects the service will have on the established use of transport modes, as well as how packages need to be designed and priced in order to optimally reach users. Full article