The New EU Urban Mobility Framework

In 2021, EC DG MOVE published its new European Urban Mobility Framework, which suggests actions to encourage EU institutions and member states to create safe, accessible, inclusive, affordable, smart, resilient, and emission-free urban transportation networks in order to enable the EU to expand on its 2013 urban mobility package and fulfil its 2050 climate objective. This new urban mobility project furthermore complements the proposal for updated Trans-European Transport Network standards (TEN-T revision). 

A number of the document’s contents are pertinent to public transportation. The initiative, for example, tackles transportation pollution and congestion and learns from the impact of COVID-19 on public transportation. The aim of the initiative is to assist in the local transition to a climate-neutral economy and emission-free transportation.  

Urban mobility may contribute significantly by making cities safer, less congested, and less polluted. Additionally, it may lower the significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions it produces. Furthermore, the development of connected, shared mobility services, walking, bicycling, and public transportation should be given top attention at the municipal and national levels. 

For “first and last mile” connectivity for both passengers and freight, the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) depends on urban mobility. To enhance mobility and transportation flows, cities and regions must play an increasingly larger role in the TEN-T of the future. This can be accomplished by making sure that local governments are more actively involved in TEN-T governance and that urban nodes operate more effectively within the larger framework. Public Transport is an essential element in this process and will be an important building block for the TEN-T regulation required Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan.  

To move from the current approach centred on traffic flows to one based on moving both individuals and goods more sustainably, the EU must take more decisive action on urban mobility. This implies improved active mobility options (such as walking and cycling), a more robust public transportation system, and effective last-mile delivery and zero-emission urban logistics. The shift to a climate-neutral urban future will mostly depend on zero-emission, connected, and automated mobility, which will also allow suburban and rural areas to link sustainably with cities. Such multimodality should serve as our guiding principles for urban mobility. To improve system-wide efficiency, transportation and mobility must be better managed through the use of multimodal hubs and digital technologies. 

The safest, most effective, and environmentally friendly modes of transportation for large groups include public transportation including urban rail, metros, trams, buses, water buses, ferries, and cable cars. Additionally, public transportation offers inclusive and reasonably priced mobility choices, promoting social cohesiveness and regional economic growth.  In addition to creating jobs, public transportation fosters social inclusion, territorial accessibility, and connectedness with rural and peri-urban areas. 

To improve public transportation’s reach and accessibility within cities, more work must be done. In order to cover the last mile where access points are distant or public transportation frequency is low, it is important to guarantee a stronger integration of public transportation with shared mobility services and active mobility, including micro-mobility services. Additionally, shared mobility services and public transportation ought to enhance one another. On-demand and shared mobility may occasionally be incorporated into public transportation, especially in rural regions, using Mobility as a Service concepts. Planning for sustainable urban mobility must prioritize public transportation, make it accessible and appealing to everyone, and provide barrier-free access. 

Additionally, digital multimodal solutions play a key role in making public transportation more appealing. Consequently, public transportation must be the foundation for Mobility as a Service (MaaS) applications. Authorities in charge of public transportation must make sure that users have access to multimodal alternatives and real-time schedules. 

Guiding principles and recommendations

Amongst others, the framework envisages the following local actions in the field of urban mobility.  

1. Encourage cities to implement and update SUMPs on a regular basis, combining all forms of transportation and according to EU digital and climate goals.
2. More funding for public transportation services and infrastructure in order to offer reliable and reasonably priced alternatives for driving a private vehicle.
3. Create safe and accessible walking and bicycling paths as part of the infrastructure to encourage active modes of transportation.
4. Encourage the integration of shared mobility services, like bike-sharing and car-sharing, into the urban transport ecosystem, supported by digital platforms for seamless user experience.
5. Create transparent governance frameworks and the mobilization of financial resources, such as EU money, to assist with projects promoting sustainable urban mobility.
6. Employ strategies like lowering speed limits, designing safe infrastructure, and protecting vulnerable road users in an effort to reach Vision Zero, or zero deaths.
7. Use consolidation centres and zero-emission delivery trucks to optimize urban freight and logistics operations in order to reduce emissions and traffic.