Research and Innovation in Urban Mobility and Logistics in Europe

The “Research and Innovation in Urban Mobility and Logistics in Europe” report, published by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) on 8 September 2022, analyses more than 300 EU‑funded projects covering urban mobility, logistics, digitalisation, decarbonisation, and multimodal transport. Using TRIMIS data, the report identifies trends, challenges, and opportunities, aiming to inform future policy and R&I programmes.

Key themes include:

• Digitalisation – Digital twins and real‑time monitoring tools are highlighted for improving infrastructure planning, traffic management, and system efficiency.
• Decarbonisation – Emphasis on low‑carbon solutions such as electric vehicles, shared mobility, and active travel, supported by policy incentives and public‑awareness campaigns.
• Multimodal integration – Combining public transport, shared vehicles, cycling, and walking reduces congestion, improves accessibility, and lowers emissions; digital platforms streamline trip planning and ticketing across modes.
• Governance – Strong coordination between local, national, and EU authorities, alongside public‑private collaboration and citizen participation, is deemed essential for delivering effective mobility solutions.
• Future priorities – Autonomous vehicles, Mobility‑as‑a‑Service (MaaS), and green infrastructure are identified as strategic R&I areas aligned with the EU Green Deal and Urban Mobility Framework.

Key learnings

• Digital technologies are pivotal – Digital twins, real‑time data, and simulation tools boost transport planning accuracy, disruption management, and overall system efficiency.
• Urgent decarbonisation needed – Adoption of EVs, renewable energy, and active travel modes, backed by incentives and awareness campaigns, accelerates the shift to low‑carbon mobility.
• Multimodal integration delivers benefits – Seamless integration of public transport, shared mobility, and active travel reduces congestion, improves quality of life, and cuts emissions; unified digital platforms enhance user experience.
• Cross‑level policy coordination is essential – Collaborative governance involving local, national, and EU actors, plus public‑private partnerships and citizen input, yields more relevant and accepted solutions.
• Long‑term investment and scaling are critical – Sustained funding, capacity building, and alignment with EU strategies (e.g., Green Deal) are necessary to scale pilots and achieve resilient, inclusive, sustainable transport systems.