How Data is Shaping the Future of Urban Mobility

The future of urban mobility is increasingly shaped by data, driving smarter, more sustainable, and highly efficient cities. As urban centers expand, they face the pressing challenge of managing traffic congestion while ensuring accessible and environmentally friendly transportation solutions for all citizens. By integrating cutting-edge technologies, cities can now monitor traffic in real time and implement strategic interventions that improve safety, reduce emissions, and enhance overall mobility.

One of the primary catalysts behind this transformation is the ability to collect and analyze vast amounts of mobility data. This data-driven approach influences travel behaviors, optimizes transportation networks, and ensures equitable mobility benefits. A prime example of this innovation is the ACUMEN pilot project in Helsinki, where real-time data sharing is facilitated through advanced multi-layered digital twins. These digital representations of the city’s transportation ecosystem allow various systems and service providers to collaborate seamlessly, fostering a dynamic and responsive urban mobility environment.

A significant trend within this data-driven revolution is the emergence of secure, intelligent data-sharing platforms. One such example is the SEDIMARK pilot project, which has introduced a secure mobility data marketplace. The pilot is implemented as a minimum viable system and utilizes Helsinki’s mobility digital twins to create a highly adaptive model.

This marketplace is designed to provide city developers with real-time, actionable data, enabling data-driven decision-making for urban development, leading to more efficient and sustainable urban solutions—not only for mobility but also for infrastructure and condition management.

* image from Vesa Laitinen (c) Forum Virium Helsinki