Shaping Mobility on a Sound Basis: Decisions Based on Reliable Information

What does it take to make mobility in our municipalities more sustainable? New technologies? More funding? The will of the citizens? One answer: We need reliable information to make informed decisions that can bring about targeted changes. At the dialogue event “Sustainable mobility—Combination of future-proof mobility forms” last November, 38 participants from 11 different countries identified data management and use as a central aspect of the transportation transition. On 23 March 2026, around 20 participants in the Connective Cities learning process came together again for an online follow-up session to engage in an in-depth discussion on the topic of ‘mobility data management’. During the two-and-a-half-hour exchange, a total of 5 municipalities presented aspects of their mobility data management as a basis for transportation planning decisions.

 

“Data (or the absence) can be a reason to unnecessarily delay important decisions. Also make sure you apply the correct data for the correct application.”

Participant as part of a survey conducted during the online event

Those with the capacity and financial resources can undertake the process of developing a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP). This multi-year, partly participatory data collection and analysis process includes a catalog of Sustainable Urban Mobility Indicators (SUMI) and concrete recommendations for action. Dr. Metin Mutlu Aydin, Associate Professor at Ondokuz Mayıs University, who provided academic guidance during the three-year development of the SUMP in Trabzon, Turkey’s easternmost major port city on the Black Sea, presented the process and the recently published results to the participants in his keynote speech:

SUMPs are strategic plans used to formulate concrete, participatory responses to the mobility needs of people and businesses. To this end, the team of experts responsible draws on primary and secondary data and bases its recommendations for action on a large-scale participatory process. The city of Trabzon utilized existing statistics but also invested in a variety of digital measurement methods that enable automated, real-time data collection and ensure the monitoring of set goals. The most comprehensive data was collected through participatory means, including institutional meetings, exchanges with professional and civil society organizations, and public engagement via online surveys and social media. In Trabzon’s case, a total of 95 institutions were consulted. Integrated scenario analyses highlight the need for action: in this coastal city with hilly topography, for example, day trips by car already result in high traffic volumes today. By 2040, this number is expected to nearly double. Therefore, the city must provide alternatives, particularly along the identified main corridors.

In Munich, data is continuously collected and analyzed using a multimodal traffic model (“M3”); the City of Munich places a high priority on its data strategy. Attila Lüttmerding, Head of the Fundamentals and Data Division in the City of Munich’s Mobility Department, emphasizes that data should not be collected for its own sake, but rather that efforts must be goal-oriented. In addition to climate neutrality and traffic safety, Munich aims to significantly improve the use of public transport, walking, cycling, and electric vehicles. The data clearly demonstrates this success: The “traffic jam capital” has been showing a clear trend toward becoming a “pedestrian-friendly city” for several years now; the use of sustainable modes of transportation is increasing despite rising car ownership. Especially in the city center, these options are now an alternative for many. To determine this, the city uses a variety of technologies and—pragmatically—continues to use manual counting methods. The robust data set enables Munich to provide accurate information, including regarding the EU’s mobility indicators, which are intended to ensure greater international comparability in the coming years.

Viktor Goebel, project manager in the City of Munich’s Mobility Department, highlighted how sharing services can become more user-friendly if they are tailored to user behavior and closely monitored. Operators must adhere to the rules imposed on them by the city: E-scooters may not be parked in certain areas, and there are also limits on, for example, the number of scooters per zone, so that pedestrian and bicycle traffic is not disrupted by the additional mobility option. Data analysis is used here to determine the needs of individual areas and identify which sustainable forms of mobility can be effectively implemented. The significant level of interest shown by Munich’s residents thus justifies municipal subsidies.

Bremen, Windhoek (Namibia), and La Paz (Bolivia) provided brief insights into how data is managed in other municipalities. While data in Bolivia is managed as open data and public portals facilitate its use, the digital ticketing system in Windhoek serves as a new source of important data, enabling, among other things, the identification of areas where fare evasion poses a financial risk to operators.

In subsequent breakout sessions, participants engaged in in-depth discussions and gained further insights:

“Companies are always asking for money, so you need to do your own research to be able to evaluate their offers”

Voice as part of a survey conducted during the online event

However, the group discussions also highlighted how varied the availability and resources for data analysis are, and that it is important to consider many suggestions within their respective individual contexts.