Urban mobility issues affect climate emissions and air quality, but also go beyond pollution to affect quality of life and economic opportunity for a growing majority of the world’s population.

Traffic fatalities claim over one million lives each year and are projected to become the fifth leading cause of death by 2030. In many cities of the Global South, fewer than half of all residents have access to a significant number of jobs within an hour’s travel time. With transport accounting for 14% of global carbon emissions, urban mobility systems play a major role in creating a sustainable and more equitable future.

WRI helps cities design and operate cleaner, safer, more efficient and more accessible mobility systems.

We promote high-quality, integrated public transportation systems that include bus rapid transit (BRT), urban buses, informal transport, micromobility, autonomous vehicles and more. We encourage shifts to more active mobility options, like bicycling and walking, and public spaces that safely accommodate these modes. And we help cities navigate the transition to cleaner-burning fuels and electric vehicles.

From redesigning dangerous intersections to piloting “complete streets” transformations and advising on the integration of bike networks, we take a tailored, localized approach, collaborating directly with cities and local partners. Through global efforts like Vision Zero, formal policy and legislative changes and new research, we also work to influence the enabling environment at the national and international levels.

Together with partners, we prevent deadly traffic crashes, encourage healthy lifestyles, reduce exposure to air pollution and expand socioeconomic opportunity for more residents and businesses.