Pedestrian Mobility in Mobility‑as‑a‑Service (MaaS): Sustainable Value Potential and Policy Implications in the Paris Region

Walking remains largely overlooked in current MaaS solutions, yet it holds considerable promise for fostering sustainable travel behaviours and reducing private‑car reliance. This study examines how pedestrian mobility is integrated into four MaaS applications operating in the Île‑de‑France (Paris) region and evaluates the associated policy implications. Findings reveal substantial heterogeneity in the prominence given to walking within user interfaces, and highlight the decisive role of governance and policy frameworks in shaping the visibility and usability of pedestrian itineraries. The paper argues that better incorporation of walking can generate sustainable value for users, operators and public authorities, and calls for targeted policy measures to promote mobility justice through MaaS design.

Supporting evidence

• Transportation accounts for one‑third of France’s total greenhouse‑gas emissions, with 54 % attributable to private cars.
• Household transport expenditure represents 13 % of the French total consumption budget.
• In 2020, active modes comprised 42 % of trips in Île‑de‑France; of these, 40 % were walking trips.
• At least 22 % of public‑transport journeys in the Paris region require reliable pedestrian‑navigation information.
• An average of 94 % of users in urban cores commence public‑transport trips on foot, positioning walking as the foundational link in intermodal travel chains.

Key findings

1. Feature disparity: Google Maps and Citymapper (private apps) provide richer pedestrian‑mobility features and more comprehensive walking itineraries than the public IDFM App and the semi‑public Bonjour RATP.
2. Interface hierarchy: The way each app prioritises walking influences user access; Google Maps and Citymapper facilitate walking, whereas IDFM and Bonjour RATP often obscure pedestrian options.
3. Personalisation options: IDFM App and Citymapper allow users to select walking‑style profiles (“good” vs. “normal” walker; “fast route” vs. “main street”), enhancing route relevance.
4. Undesired nudging: Both Google Maps and Citymapper frequently suggest e‑kick‑scooters or shared‑bike alternatives when a walking itinerary is requested, thereby nudging users away from walking. Similar nudges appear in Bonjour RATP.
5. Legal backdrop: Recent juridical instruments recognise walking as a key lever for sustainability, providing a legal basis for nudging sustainable modes within digital MaaS platforms.
6. Policy gap: MaaS user interfaces possess untapped potential to nudge mobility behaviours; current implementations fall short of exploiting these strategies.
7. Economic argument: Communicating the economic benefits of walking—such as increased retail footfall and health‑care savings—could amplify user adoption, with MaaS acting as the delivery mechanism for such messaging.