A Data-Driven Decision Support System for Multimodal Network and Traffic Management – SYNCHROMODE

Mitsakis, Evangelos; Tzanis, Dimitris; Petkani, Viktoria; Dolianitis, Alexandros; Mintsis, Evangelos; Kotsi, Areti; Psonis, Vasileios · 2025 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-82818-8_8

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Summary

This rapid-response briefing, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism, analyzes the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on urban mobility and outlines perspectives for post-crisis recovery. The study addresses the urgent need to understand how lockdown measures disrupted traditional transport assets and shaped new behavioral trends. It aims to provide policy recommendations for integrating EU responses into existing priorities to foster a smart, sustainable, and multimodal urban transport system. The authors conducted a comprehensive review of mobility trends using data from Google and Apple mobility reports, INRIX vehicle-miles traveled statistics, and specific case studies, including a monitoring system in Rome utilizing floating car data and Bluetooth signals. The analysis covers mitigation measures during lockdowns, short-term trends following reopening, and long-term scenarios. It examines behavioral shifts, financial support mechanisms, and the performance of various transport modes, including public transport, shared mobility, cycling, and freight logistics. The report identifies four potential post-COVID scenarios based on policy priorities and assesses the challenges and opportunities for different transport sectors. Key findings indicate a dramatic decrease in public transport and shared mobility usage during lockdowns, with public transport reaching a low of -76% in April. Conversely, citizens shifted toward private vehicles, cycling, and walking to ensure physical distancing. While private car use recovered quickly, often exceeding pre-pandemic levels due to deferred trips and safety concerns, public transport struggled to regain market share. E-commerce and last-mile freight distribution saw significant growth, with grocery online revenues increasing by up to 300% in Italy. The pandemic also accelerated the adoption of active mobility; bike sales surged, and many cities implemented temporary pop-up bike lanes and pedestrian zones. Behavioral surveys revealed that 64% of respondents in six European countries did not wish to return to pre-pandemic air pollution levels, indicating a shift in public attitude toward healthier, more sustainable urban environments. The briefing concludes that the evolution of urban mobility will depend on pre-existing city conditions and future policy interventions. It recommends that EU interventions align with existing strategies, such as the European Green Deal, to promote multimodality and a radical modal shift. The authors emphasize the need for data sharing and interoperability to manage safety aspects like physical distancing and contactless transactions. They argue that integrating new and traditional mobility services within local transport policies is essential for recovery. Furthermore, the report suggests that temporary measures, such as expanded sidewalks and bike lanes, should be made permanent to support active mobility and reduce reliance on private cars, thereby addressing both health and environmental concerns.

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