Chapter 109

AI, THE WORLD'S CITIES WITH THE BEST URBAN MOBILITY

Urban mobility:

It is essential for the sustainable development of cities and has a direct impact on the quality of life of their inhabitants; it refers to the ability of people to move around a city in an efficient, safe and accessible way; it includes a variety of modes of transport such as walking, cycling, public transport (buses, metros, trams), private cars, and shared transport services (such as taxis and ride-sharing services). Important for the economy, since efficient mobility reduces transport costs, increases productivity and facilitates access to employment and business opportunities. It improves social inclusion, by facilitating access to basic services such as education, health and leisure. It promotes the use of sustainable modes of transport that reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. It improves quality of life by reducing travel time, congestion and stress associated with travelling.

Key modules:

Infrastructure: includes roads, bike lanes, sidewalks, public transportation stations, and pedestrian zones.

Public transport: bus, subway, tram and train systems that must be efficient, accessible and affordable.

Technology: digital tools such as mobility apps, traffic management systems, and ride-sharing platforms.

Public policies: regulations and policies that promote sustainable mobility, such as low-emission zones, traffic restrictions and public transport subsidies.

Citizen participation: the inclusion of citizens' opinions and needs in planning and decision-making.

Challenges:

Congestion: Increased vehicle traffic can lead to traffic jams, increasing travel time and pollution.

Accessibility: ensuring that all urban areas, including peripheries, have access to efficient transport.

Safety: reducing traffic accidents and ensuring the safety of all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.

Sustainability: promoting the use of less polluting transport and managing resources appropriately.
Current trends:

Electric mobility: increasing use of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure.

Micromobility: use of electric scooters, shared bikes and other small and flexible modes of transport.

Mobility as a Service (MaaS): Integrating multiple modes of transport into a single digital platform to facilitate trip planning and payment.

Tactical urban planning: implementation of short-term projects to improve mobility, such as temporary bike lanes or street closures to vehicular traffic.

Examples:

Copenhagen, Denmark: Famous for its extensive and safe cycling infrastructure. Extensive network of cycle paths, efficient public transport, pedestrian streets; metro, buses, and suburban trains.

Curitiba, Brazil: Pioneer in efficient and affordable bus rapid transit (BRT) systems.

Tokyo, Japan: Known for its punctual and highly efficient public transportation system. Dense transportation network, extreme punctuality; train, subway, and buses.

Cities recognized for their commitment to sustainable mobility, accessibility and the implementation of advanced technologies to improve the user experience in their transportation systems, stand out for their efficient public transportation infrastructure, accessibility, sustainability and quality of life:

Amsterdam, Netherlands : cycling culture, well-developed bicycle infrastructure; trams, buses, and ferries.

Zurich, Switzerland: excellent public transport network, punctuality and efficiency; trams, buses, and trains.

Singapore: modern and well-integrated public transport system, use of advanced technologies: metro (MRT), buses.

Vienna, Austria: affordable and high-quality public transport: metro, trams, buses.

Seoul, Korea:  Extensive and efficient subway system, integration of smart technologies: metro, buses.

Paris, France: dense metro network, integration with urban trains, metro, RER, buses

Helsinki, Finland: modern and efficient infrastructure, focus on sustainability. Trams, buses, and metro.

Munich, Germany: Excellent transport network, quality and punctuality: metro (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), buses.

AI opinion: Each of these public transport systems has its advantages and disadvantages, and their effectiveness can vary depending on the specific urban context. Here's a comparison and my take on the metro, RER (Réseau Express Régional), and buses: Metro
Advantages
High Capacity : Can transport large numbers of people quickly.
Frequency : Trains typically run with high frequency, reducing waiting times.
Efficiency : Avoids urban traffic congestion by operating underground.
Connectivity : Typically well connected to other modes of transport and key points in the city.
Disadvantages
Cost : Underground infrastructure is expensive to build and maintain.
Time to Implement : Metro projects can take many years to complete.
Accessibility : Not always accessible to people with reduced mobility, although this is improving over time.
RER (Réseau Express Régional)
Advantages
Regional Reach : Connects the city centre to the suburbs and peri-urban areas, facilitating regional mobility.
Speed : They offer faster journeys than local trains due to fewer stops and direct routes.
Integration : They are usually well integrated with the metro and other urban transport systems.
Disadvantages
Complexity : Their operation and maintenance can be complex due to the mix of urban and regional services.
Frequency : In some cases, the frequency can be lower compared to the metro, especially in less densely populated areas.
Infrastructure Costs : Similar to the metro, infrastructure costs can be high.
Buses
Advantages
Flexibility : They can easily adapt to changes in demand and new areas of urban development.
Cost : Generally, implementation and operation costs are lower compared to the metro and RER.
Accessibility : More accessible, as they can reach areas where it is not feasible to build rail infrastructure.
Disadvantages
Congestion : Their efficiency can be affected by urban traffic, especially during peak hours.
Capacity : They have a lower transport capacity compared to the metro and RER.
Frequency and Regularity : Frequency and regularity may be less predictable due to traffic variability.
My Opinion
Metro: Ideal for large cities with high population density and a need for high-capacity, high-frequency transportation. It is essential in the urban core where traffic congestion is most intense.
RER : Excellent for cities that need to connect the urban center with the suburbs and regional areas quickly and efficiently. It is an essential complement to the metro in large metropolitan regions.
Buses : Crucial to the flexibility of the urban transport system. They are essential for less densely populated areas, local connections, and as a complement to the metro and RER networks. Implementing exclusive bus lanes can significantly improve their efficiency and regularity.
Each of these systems plays an essential role in a complete and efficient urban transport network. The key is in their integration and in a design that maximizes their strengths and minimizes their weaknesses.