Overview of the Report and Its Origin
The Smart Mobility Report 2024 is produced by the Energy & Strategy Group, a multidisciplinary research team within the School of Management at Politecnico di Milano. The group regularly publishes observatory reports on energy, mobility and sustainability, combining academic rigour with industry relevance. This edition offers the definitive annual assessment of transport innovation across European cities, focusing on how they integrate multiple mobility options into seamless systems.
Mobility‑as‑a‑Service (MaaS) Progress
The report analyses the shift from fragmented transport services toward integrated Mobility‑as‑a‑Service platforms. It evaluates the maturity of MaaS deployments in various cities, highlighting technical, regulatory and commercial barriers that still limit wider adoption. The findings show that while several pilots demonstrate user‑friendly planning, booking and payment across public transport, shared mobility and micro‑mobility, a unified European standard remains absent.
Data Platforms and Artificial Intelligence Impact
A central theme is the role of data platforms and AI in optimizing urban transport. Key facts include: real‑time analytics for dynamic route optimisation; predictive‑maintenance algorithms that reduce vehicle downtime; AI‑driven traffic‑signal control adapting to live conditions; machine‑learning models forecasting demand and supporting network‑capacity planning; and digital‑twin simulations that aid scenario testing for planners.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Market and Charging Infrastructure
The report provides detailed EU‑wide EV market data, with a focus on Italy. By the end of 2023 Italy recorded roughly 500 000 private charging points, a 35 % increase over the previous year, resulting in a private‑to‑public charging ratio exceeding 1:10. Despite rapid growth, the analysis notes that many regions still under‑utilise existing infrastructure, limiting the acceleration of EV adoption.
Cycling Infrastructure and Active Mobility Trends
Investment in protected cycle lanes, bike‑sharing schemes and cargo‑bike logistics is documented across major cities. The report quantifies health, environmental and economic co‑benefits of cycling, while also detailing the cost of infrastructure development. Results indicate a clear reallocation of road space from private cars to active mobility modes, contributing to reduced emissions and improved urban livability.
Equity and Inclusivity Considerations
Equity emerges as a distinctive focus. The report asks who benefits from new mobility services and who is excluded, examining pricing impacts on lower‑income residents, spatial inequalities in access to shared mobility and EV charging, and the digital divide affecting elderly or smartphone‑less populations. These findings underline the need for inclusive policy design to ensure broad societal benefits.
Decarbonisation Context and Policy Evaluation
Positioned within Europe’s broader transport decarbonisation agenda, the report assesses progress toward EU emissions‑reduction targets. It evaluates the effectiveness of national and city‑level policy instruments, identifying gaps between current trajectories and climate commitments. The subtitle “From follower to leader?” reflects the inquiry into whether European cities can accelerate their transition to sustainable mobility.
Practical Relevance for Stakeholders
For policymakers, transport operators, urban planners and technology providers, the report offers actionable insights on systemic conditions that influence innovation success. It highlights regulatory frameworks, viable business models, citizen acceptance, data‑governance practices and inter‑agency coordination as critical factors for scaling sustainable mobility solutions across Europe.