How widespread is reliance on cars globally? Why might the ideal living environments be those devoid of cars? Which cities excel in public transportation? A fresh study from the Complexity Science Hub and EAFIT University may shed light on these inquiries.
Gathering data from 794 cities across 61 nations, encompassing a populace of nearly 850 million, the researchers scrutinized transportation habits. Their investigation delves into how denizens commute in various regions worldwide, delineating the prevalence of different modes of transportation within a city, including cars, public transit, and active mobility such as walking and biking.
The global picture
Globally, approximately 51% of daily commutes are undertaken by car. However, this figure varies significantly across regions, with cities in the US and Canada leading in car dependency, where nearly 92% of journeys are car-based. In Northern and Southern European cities, the reliance on cars fluctuates between 50% and 75%.
Yet, within Europe, commuting habits diverge widely. While cities like Rome, Italy, and Manchester, England, heavily lean on cars for transportation (66% and 71%, respectively), others prioritize active mobility, with significant proportions of commutes by bike or foot. Copenhagen, Denmark, and Utrecht, Netherlands, exemplify this trend, with up to 75% of journeys made by bike or foot.
Moreover, public transportation assumes paramount importance in several European cities. In Paris, France, and London, England, it accounts for the majority of journeys (60% and 45%, respectively). Eastern European cities also prioritize public transit, as evidenced by cities like Minsk, Belarus, and Warsaw, Poland.
Southern and Eastern Asian cities similarly rely on public transportation, with notable examples such as Hong Kong, Seoul, Mumbai, and Tokyo, where public transit accounts for a significant share of journeys (ranging from 51% to 77%). These regions also boast high rates of cycling and walking.
In Latin American cities, car commuting is less prevalent, with active mobility and public transport offering a more balanced approach to commuting. For instance, in Mexico City, only 21% of journeys are by car, while the extensive metro system and other options like Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and buses cater to nearly half of the city’s journeys.
In African cities, car commuting is also infrequent, although wealthier cities like Cape Town, South Africa, exhibit higher rates of car journeys, signaling less sustainable transportation patterns. Prieto-Curiel, the study’s author, notes that aside from the US, city size significantly influences transport patterns. Buses, metros, and trams emerge as the preferred modes of transportation in large cities across Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
Car-centric model
The study reveals that in the United States and Canada, nearly 92% of commutes rely on cars, while public transit and active mobility constitute 4.6% and 3.5%, respectively.
Despite the longstanding dominance of cars, there’s a growing inclination in the US to diminish automobile usage. Cities with dense, pedestrian-friendly layouts like San Francisco, Boston, and New York boast robust public transit systems.
Among US cities, New York City stands out as the most car-free, with the highest proportion of public transportation use (25%). Furthermore, walking and biking together contribute to 8% of commutes. In both San Francisco and Boston, public transit accounts for 8% of journeys, with walking and cycling making up 6% and 7%, respectively.
American college towns notably embrace walking and cycling culture, as evident in Ithaca (20%), State College (10%), Iowa City (10%), Boulder (9%), and Madison (8%).
Going electric
The global popularity of electric cars is on the rise, particularly in China, Europe, and the US. Nevertheless, the authors caution against viewing electric vehicles as the ultimate solution for urban transportation challenges. They underscore that electric cars will still contend with the myriad issues associated with motorized mobility, including manufacturing, infrastructure requirements, congestion, particle pollution from tire wear, among others.
The authors of the study highlight the myriad physical, mental, and environmental benefits of active mobility and public transit as viable alternatives to driving. However, they acknowledge the complexity of transitioning towards these modes of transportation.
Altering travel habits presents a considerable challenge. Furthermore, both active mobility and public transportation encounter substantial barriers. Active mobility faces hurdles, particularly in medium and large cities, where long-distance commutes pose logistical difficulties. On the other hand, public transportation relies on a critical mass of passengers to offer frequent services, making it heavily reliant on population density.
