International Journal of Urban Sciences

Equity, Accessibility, and Social Impacts of Emerging Urban Mobility Systems

Urban mobility systems are undergoing rapid transformation due to technological innovation, evolving travel behavior, and changing urban development patterns. Emerging mobility solutions—including ride-hailing services, shared mobility platforms, micromobility, Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS), and autonomous vehicles—are reshaping how people travel and access opportunities within cities. While these developments promise increased efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability, they also raise important questions regarding equity, accessibility, and the broader social impacts of urban mobility systems.

Transportation plays a critical role in shaping social inclusion and urban quality of life. Unequal access to mobility can reinforce socio-economic disparities and limit access to employment, education, healthcare, and other essential services. Vulnerable populations—including older adults, women, low-income groups, persons with disabilities, and residents of underserved neighborhoods—often face disproportionate barriers in accessing safe, affordable, and reliable transportation. As cities increasingly adopt emerging mobility technologies and services, it is essential to understand whether these innovations contribute to reducing mobility inequalities or, conversely, exacerbate existing social disparities.

This Special Issue aims to advance interdisciplinary research on equity, accessibility, and the societal implications of emerging urban mobility systems. It welcomes contributions that investigate how new mobility technologies, services, and policies influence social inclusion, accessibility to opportunities, and the distribution of mobility benefits across different urban populations. The Special Issue particularly encourages research that bridges transportation research, urban planning, public policy, and data-driven urban science.

This Special Issue is linked to the 15th Asia-Pacific Conference on Transportation and the Environment (APTE 2026), which will be held in Jeju Island, South Korea, from 8–10 July 2026. The conference provides an international platform for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss emerging challenges and innovations in transportation systems. Authors presenting relevant research at the conference will be invited to submit extended and enhanced versions of their papers to this Special Issue. Submissions are also welcome from researchers who did not participate in the conference.

The Special Issue will focus on topics including, but not limited to:

·       Equity and social justice in urban transportation systems

·       Accessibility impacts of emerging mobility services (ride-hailing, MaaS, micromobility)

·       Gender differences and safety perceptions in urban mobility

·       Mobility challenges for aging populations and people with disabilities

·       Social and distributional impacts of autonomous and connected mobility technologies

·       Accessibility measurement and equity evaluation methods in urban transport planning

·       Inclusive design of urban mobility systems and services

·       Mobility inequality and spatial disparities in rapidly urbanizing regions

·       Data-driven approaches for analyzing urban mobility equity

·       Urban transport policies and governance strategies for inclusive mobility systems

By bringing together empirical research, policy analysis, and methodological innovation, this Special Issue seeks to deepen understanding of how emerging mobility systems can contribute to more equitable, accessible, and socially inclusive urban environments.