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Urban transport

MOBILITY & TRANSPORT

The Urban Mobility Framework is an initiative by the European Union aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector, aligning with the EU's ambitious targets of a 55% reduction by 2030 and a 90% reduction by 2050. The initiative focuses on urban areas, where over 70% of EU citizens live and which contribute 23% of all transport-related emissions.

​Key components of this initiative include:

1. Encouraging Member States: The framework encourages EU Member States to develop transport systems that are safe, accessible, inclusive, affordable, smart, resilient, and emission-free.
2. Improving Quality of Life: It addresses urban mobility challenges, including air pollution, congestion, and road safety, while promoting the growth of sustainable transport modes like public transport and active mobility.
3. Zero-Emission Logistics: There is a focus on increasing zero-emission urban logistics, improving last-mile deliveries, and transitioning urban fleets, such as taxis and ride-hailing services, to zero emissions.
4. Multimodal Hubs and Digital Solutions: The initiative prioritizes the construction and modernization of multimodal hubs and encourages the adoption of new digital solutions and services.
5. Integrated Urban Mobility Planning: It advocates for a coherent and integrated approach to planning urban mobility and outlines funding options for local and regional authorities to carry out priority actions.
6. Lessons from COVID-19: The framework aims to learn from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on public transport to aid the shift towards a climate-neutral economy and local emission-free transport.

The Urban Mobility Framework, therefore, seeks to create a more sustainable, efficient, and user-friendly urban transportation landscape across EU cities, contributing significantly to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing the overall urban environment.

Sustainable urban mobility planning and monitoring

Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) are central to the European urban mobility policy, and the European Commission recommends their adoption by towns and cities across Europe to improve residents' quality of life.

These plans address challenges like congestion, pollution, climate change, road safety, and parking, and offer a framework for integrating innovative mobility services.


Key Elements of the Initiative:
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1. TEN-T Network Integration: The revised TEN-T Regulation emphasizes the role of cities as urban nodes within the trans-European transport network, with over 400 cities designated as such. These urban nodes are required to adopt SUMPs and report on sustainable urban mobility indicators.
2. SUMP Definition: A SUMP is a strategic plan to meet the mobility needs of people and businesses for a better quality of life. It encompasses the entire urban area and emphasizes cooperation across government levels and policy areas, developed in partnership with local residents and stakeholders.
3. SUMP Concept and Guidelines: Introduced as part of the 2013 Urban Mobility Package and updated in 2023, the SUMP concept aligns with new EU strategies and maintains itsoriginal ethos. Guidelines offer cities advice on the process of preparing and implementing SUMPs.
4. National SUMP Support Programmes: In March 2023, the Commission adopted a Recommendation calling on each Member State to put in place a national programme with a dedicated office to help cities with sustainable urban mobility planning.The Commission calls for Member States to support cities with sustainable urban mobility planning through national programmes that provide guidance, training, technical expertise, and financial support.
5. Sustainable Urban Mobility Indicators (SUMI): These indicators are tools for monitoring SUMP implementation, assessing urban mobility systems, and guiding corrective actions. They track progress towards local, national, and European urban mobility objectives.
6. Revised TEN-T Regulation Requirements: The new Regulation requires urban nodes to collect and report data on key urban mobility areas like emissions, congestion, road safety, modal share, and pollution.
7. Reference Materials and Support: The European Commission aids cities with training, examples, networking, funding opportunities, and a platform for SUMP-related projects. A compendium of guidance and reference materials is available through the EU Urban Mobility Observatory to assist cities in developing and implementing their SUMPs.

​Overall, the initiative aims to foster sustainable, efficient, and safe urban transport systems that contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and support the EU's transition to a climate-neutral economy, enhancing the well-being of its urban populations.

Urban public transport & shared mobility

​The European Commission has recognized the critical role of public transport and shared mobility in both urban and rural contexts as part of its comprehensive approach to sustainable mobility across the EU.

​Urban Public Transport and Shared Mobility:

• Essential for Many Europeans: Public transport, including a variety of modes like urban rail, buses, and ferries, is crucial for safe, efficient, and sustainable travel.
• Inclusive and Accessible: It serves a diverse population, creating jobs and promoting social inclusion, with a particular focus on enhancing accessibility for the ageing population and those with reduced mobility.
• EU Urban Mobility Policies: Public transport is central to EU policies, highlighted in the 2013 Urban Mobility Package that introduced SUMPs, emphasizing support for people and public transport.
• 2020 Strategy: The 2020 Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy aims to shift towards more sustainable modes of transport, with goals to increase rail passengers and public transport commuters.
• EU Urban Mobility Framework: This framework prioritizes public transport and shared mobility for their low-emission and inclusive options, contributing to social cohesion and economic development.
•  Expert Group on Urban Mobility: The Commission collaborates with stakeholders to ensure public transport remains a key component of urban mobility and to address inequalities in transport access.
• Updated SUMP Concept: The 2023  Recommendation includes an updated SUMP concept, focusing on sustainable transport modes at the core of urban planning.

Rural and Peri-Urban Transport:

• Long-term Vision for EU’s Rural Areas: The 2021 Communication setting out a Long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas up to 2040 outlines the need for rural areas to be well-connected, with the EU Rural Action Plan proposing actions for mobility improvements.
• Goals for Rural Mobility: These include supporting municipalities in identifying best practices from urban mobility networks and promoting multimodal digital mobility services.
• Linking Rural and Urban Mobility: The  EU Urban Mobility Framework establishes a connection between rural and urban mobility, aiming for efficient and inclusive connectivity through sustainable options.
• Integration in TEN-T Network: The planning integrates urban-rural connectivity in the trans-European transport network, including urban nodes.
• EU-Financed Projects: The EU supports projects that adapt existing mobility policies for rural areas and develop  sustainable shared mobility connected with public transport.

In essence, the EU's approach integrates sustainable urban and rural mobility planning, emphasizing public transport and shared mobility to foster an inclusive, connected, and environmentally friendly transport system across all regions.

Active mobility: walking and cycling

Active mobility, particularly walking and cycling, is a key focus in the EU's efforts to promote sustainable, low-cost, and zero-emission transportation. These modes not only contribute to reducing emissions but also offer significant health benefits. The EU's approach to enhancing active mobility encompasses various strategies and policies:
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1. Integration in Urban Mobility Policies:
   • Active mobility should be a core part of urban mobility policies, considering aspects like transport planning, safety regulations, infrastructure development, and special attention to people with reduced mobility.
2. EU Urban Mobility Framework:
   • Emphasizes the benefits of walking and cycling in decarbonizing transport, reducing air and noise pollution, alleviating congestion, and improving health.
   • Highlights the growing popularity of e-bikes.
   • Sets priorities for active modes in the updated Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning (SUMP) concept. Recommendation on national SUMP support programmes
   • Introduces mobility management plans for employers to encourage active mobility.
3. Revised TEN-T Network Regulation:
   • Asks that the largest 430 EU cities on the TEN-T network adopt a SUMP by 2025 and collect data on modal share.
   • Requires multimodal passenger hubs to integrate active transport modes and ensure continuity and accessibility of cycling paths.
4. EU road safety policy:
   • Focuses on protecting vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists. Directive 2008/96/EC
   • Implements mandatory safety features in vehicles to protect those outside, such as technologies for buses and trucks to detect blind spots and collision warnings.  General Vehicle Safety Regulation
5. Support and Guidance:
   • The Commission provides guidance on safe urban cycling, walking, and micromobility device use.
   • Supports research into safe active mobility, including EU Horizon-funded road safety projects.
6. Building Infrastructure Requirements:
   • The proposed  Energy Performance of Buildings Directive mandates parking spaces for bicycles and e-bikes in public buildings.
7. REPowerEU Package:
   • The  EU Save Energy Communication, part of this package, underscores the role of active mobility in reducing Europe's dependence on fossil fuels.

Urban Vehicle Access Regulations

Urban Vehicle Access Regulations (UVARs) are instrumental in helping cities meet EU air quality standards, manage congestion, and enhance safety. They often involve regulations like low emission zones, tolling, and pedestrian areas, with access typically based on vehicle type, emission class, and applicable tolls or fees.

Key aspects of UVARs in the EU context include:

1. Prevalence in Europe: 73% of UVARs in Europe are categorized as low (and zero) emission zones.
2. Seamless and User-Friendly Travel: From a single market perspective, it's crucial that UVARs facilitate seamless and user-friendly travel.
3. Enforcement Challenges: Cities often face difficulties in enforcing effective UVAR schemes, particularly with foreign vehicles, including those with zero emissions.
4. EU Focus on UVARs: The EU is concentrating efforts on improving the efficiency and user-friendliness of UVARs, with a focus on subsidiarity, digitalization, and technological advancements.
5. Expert Group on Urban Mobility: This group and its subgroup on UVARs assist the European Commission in policy measure preparation and implementation, addressing personal mobility, freight, parking, and dynamic urban space management.

Relevant legislative acts and initiatives include:

• Regulation (EU) 2018/1724 (Single Digital Gateway): Mandates public authorities to provide online information on traffic rules, including UVARs, by specific deadlines.
• Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/670 of 2 February 2022 supplementing Directive 2010/40/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to the provision of EU-wide real-time traffic information 
• UVARbox Project: Assists cities in five Member States to standardize data on urban and regional UVAR schemes.
• UVARexchange Project: Focuses on improving communication to drivers near UVAR zones and aiding local authorities in managing information, especially for foreign vehicles, to facilitate compliance and enforcement.
• Civitas-ReVeAL Project: Incorporates UVARs into urban mobility transition approaches, conducting research and implementing pilot projects in six cities to optimize urban space and transport networks, aiming to reduce emissions, noise, and improve accessibility and quality of life.

​These efforts demonstrate the EU's commitment to developing effective and user-friendly UVAR systems, enhancing urban mobility while addressing environmental and safety concerns.

Zero-emission urban freight logistics and last-mile delivery

The EU Urban Mobility Framework addresses the challenges and solutions for zero-emission urban freight logistics and last-mile delivery.

Urban freight transport is vital for urban economies and services but contributes to city congestion, air pollution, noise, and faces logistical challenges. The Framework proposes various strategies:

1. Integration in Urban Planning: Cities are encouraged to integrate freight transport within their Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) via dedicated Sustainable Urban Logistics Plans (SULPs), in collaboration with private stakeholders.
2. Public-Private Collaboration: Essential for optimizing urban logistics and last-mile delivery in economic, social, and environmental terms. The Expert Group on Urban Mobility (EGUM) and its subgroup on urban logistics play a pivotal role in facilitating collaboration between authorities and stakeholders.
3. Interconnection with Hinterlands: The  Revised Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) Regulation emphasizes the development of multimodal freight terminals to efficiently connect long-distance and last-mile freight transport.
4. Innovative Sustainable Solutions: Promoting the deployment of zero-emission vehicles, new distribution models, dynamic routing, and improved connections with urban rail and inland waterways.
5. Research and Innovation: The  Horizon Europe Research and Innovation (R&I) Framework Programme supports research on sustainable last-mile solutions and urban logistics space management. The EU Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities also backs actions on urban logistics.
6. Connected and Automated Solutions for Logistics: Demonstrations of connected and automated solutions for logistics as well as the development of deployment strategies for zero-emission vehicles and logistics are covered by the Connected, Cooperative and Automated (CCAM) partnership and the Towards Zero Emission Road Transport (2Zero) partnership respectively. In addition, research and innovation actions aiming to increase the overall efficiency of supply chains will be funded, which should also have an impact on last mile logistics.

Urban mobility and climate-neutral cities

​The Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy aims to achieve at least 100 climate-neutral European cities by 2030, focusing on green urban mobility and transport. This includes leveraging technological and policy solutions for zero-emission mobility and exploring synergies with renewable energy.

City authorities are encouraged to use instruments like public procurement and grant award procedures to expedite the greening of public transport, shared mobility, delivery vehicles, and taxi services. 

The EU Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities involves 112 pioneer cities committed to becoming climate-neutral by 2030, serving as innovation hubs to guide all European cities by 2050. Urban mobility is central to this endeavor, with Horizon Europe work programs supporting research and innovation actions in areas such as public transport to facilitate the Mission's objectives. EU Missions are a new way to bring concrete solutions to some of our greatest challenges. They have ambitious goals and will deliver tangible results by 2030. They will deliver impact by putting research and innovation into a new role, combined with new forms of governance and collaboration, as well as by engaging citizens.
EU Missions are a novelty of the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme for the years 2021-2027.

Urban mobility Observatory

The EU Urban Mobility Observatory is a platform that facilitates the sharing of information, expertise, and experiences in sustainable urban mobility. It targets professionals involved in transport and mobility in urban settings, as well as those in related sectors like health, accessibility, energy efficiency, innovation, research, and the environment.

The Observatory offers an extensive array of resources aimed at assisting towns and cities in becoming leaders in sustainable urban mobility. This includes the latest news, policy developments, best practices, and a variety of materials such as publications, tools, and training modules, all stemming from EU-funded urban mobility projects.

Additionally, there is a specialized section on the Observatory that acts as the Commission’s central point for information on creating and executing a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP). This section takes into account the Commission’s 2023 Recommendation on national SUMP support programs and the requirements for urban nodes in the trans-European transport network.

Got to the EU Urban Mobility Observatory

CIVITAS

Since its inception in 2002, the CIVITAS Initiative has been instrumental in supporting the European Commission's mobility and transport objectives, contributing significantly to the realization of the European Green Deal. As a leading program in sustainable urban mobility, CIVITAS has established a robust network comprising over 300 cities, engaged politicians, urban mobility experts, and youth participants.

CIVITAS's role includes:
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1. Dissemination of EC Transport Policies: Actively promoting the European Commission's transport and mobility policy directions and goals at various governmental levels.
2. Fostering Political Commitment: Encouraging and strengthening political engagement in sustainable urban mobility.
3. Boosting Expertise and Exchange: Enhancing collective knowledge in urban mobility and facilitating peer-to-peer exchanges.
4. Networking and Training Opportunities: Providing a platform for networking and offering training to its members.

The initiative focuses on ten thematic areas: active mobility, behavioural change and mobility management, clean and energy-efficient vehicles, collective passenger transport and shared mobility, demand and urban space management, integrated and inclusive planning, public participation and co-creation, road safety and security, smart and connected mobility, and urban logistics.
CIVITAS's success lies in engaging local communities in advancing research and innovation solutions aimed at decarbonizing urban transportation systems.
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Members of the urban mobility community are invited to join the CIVITAS Community free of charge to share expertise and collaborate with other CIVITAS cities, thereby contributing to and benefiting from a collective effort to enhance sustainable urban mobility across Europe.

Expert Group on urban mobility

To implement the 2021 EU Urban Mobility Framework, a reinforced platform for dialogue and co-creation of actions was announced. The goal is stronger engagement by Member States and improved dialogue with cities, regions and stakeholders on all urban mobility issues. The adoption of Commission Decision (C(2022) 5320) formally established the group.

Following a call for applications, DG MOVE received more than 150 applications from organisations as well as cities and regions to become members of the reformed Commission Expert Group on Urban Mobility (E03863). In addition, all EU Member States nominated a representatives at Ministry level.

Members were selected following a thorough evaluation process, and, as a result, the group includes representatives of:
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• Organisations (25 stakeholders – Type C members)
• Cities and regions (25 authorities at regional or local level – Type D members)
• Member States (27 authorities at national level – Type D members)

The full list of members is available in the Register of Commission Expert Groups.
In accordance with Article 2 of the Commission Decision establishing the Group, its tasks are:
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• to assist the Commission in implementing the EU Urban Mobility Framework;
• to advise and provide technical expertise to the Commission on developing and implementing future-proof and innovation-friendly legislation, policies, projects and programmes in the field of sustainable urban mobility, for example through recommendations, opinions, reports or analyses, contributing to a healthy urban environment;
• to develop cooperation and coordination between the Commission, Member States and stakeholders on questions relating to the implementation of EU legislation, programmes and policies in the field of urban mobility, including sustainable urban mobility planning, transport contingency preparedness and energy efficiency;
• to foster exchanges of experience and good practice in the field of sustainable urban mobility, including in cross-border regions;
• to advise the Commission on how to develop synergies between EU, national and regional funding and financing opportunities in research, innovation, development and deployment of safe, healthy, energy-efficient and sustainable urban mobility solutions for a better quality of life;
• to facilitate exchanges of information on initiatives, projects and partnerships on sustainable urban mobility, including the EU Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities. ​