Assessing potential sustainability benefits of micromobility: a new data driven approach

Comi, Antonio; Polimeni, Antonio · 2024 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1186/s12544-024-00640-6

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Summary

This paper addresses the challenge of quantifying the potential sustainability benefits of shifting from private car usage to micromobility (e.g., bicycles, e-bikes, scooters) in urban areas. While micromobility is recognized as a key component of sustainable urban mobility plans, existing literature often relies on user surveys or mode-choice models that infer behavioral changes. The authors identify a gap in predictive tools that can objectively estimate the upper limit of car trips compatible with micromobility without requiring users to significantly alter their travel habits. The study aims to provide a data-driven methodology to identify specific private car trips that are most suitable for replacement by micromobility, thereby estimating potential environmental gains and supporting urban planning decisions. The proposed methodology utilizes Floating Car Data (FCD) combined with vehicle registration data to characterize private car trips, offering an alternative to traditional, resource-intensive surveys. The approach consists of two stages: data and trips analysis, and system simulation. In the first stage, the authors process FCD to identify trip characteristics such as origin, destination, path features, length, and travel time. By cross-referencing trip origins with vehicle registration municipalities, the study isolates trips performed by residents. These are further categorized into trip chains and home-based round trips, with home locations inferred from the start and end points of daily travel sequences. The second stage involves applying parametric thresholds to identify trips compatible with micromobility and simulating the environmental impact of replacing these specific trips. The methodology was applied to a case study in Trani, a city in the Apulia Region of Southern Italy, divided into seventy traffic zones. The analysis utilized a dataset of approximately 5,200 FCD trips. The results indicate that a significant portion of daily car travel is compatible with micromobility; specifically, 31% of car round trips in the study area could potentially be substituted. This modal shift would yield considerable environmental benefits, resulting in a reduction of traffic emissions by less than 21% of the total emissions generated by private cars in the area. The study demonstrates that FCD can effectively characterize trip patterns and identify demand potential without direct user inquiry. The significance of this work lies in its provision of a transferable, parametric framework for local authorities and transport companies. By relying on easily obtainable FCD and registration data, the method can be applied to various city contexts worldwide to support the integration of micromobility into urban mobility planning. The findings offer a quantitative basis for assessing the potential of micromobility to reduce congestion and pollutant emissions, contributing to Sustainable Development Goal 11. The approach enables planners to design targeted interventions and services that facilitate the shift from private cars to more sustainable, active mobility options, enhancing urban liveability and environmental sustainability.

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