Foreword Purushottam Kaushik Head, Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, C4IR India Combatting Congestion: How Cities and Companies are Innovating First- and Last-Mile TransportMarch 2025 Most cities, designed for the past, now struggle with growing populations, higher energy demands and evolving transportation needs. The outdated reliance on single-occupancy vehicles continues to lead to congestion, pollution, longer commutes and road safety concerns, all of which harm productivity and reduce quality of life. To address these issues, cities must adopt a new mobility model that blends traditional and innovative solutions. Public and shared transport, along with walking, cycling, adoption of electric vehicles, drones and smart warehousing, can play a critical role. As transport systems face mounting pressures, there is a clear need for innovative approaches that ensure efficient and sustainable urban mobility. A crucial area for intervention is the optimization of the first and last mile of urban journeys. Enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of these segments can provide better access to mobility systems, alleviate congestion, bolster local economies, and improve overall health and quality of life in urban areas.This report presents unique strategies for improving first- and last-mile transport, showcasing global examples where policy, technology and infrastructure have been used to create less congested and more liveable cities. The case studies highlighted are by no means the only solutions needed to solve congestion, as a range of interventions and approaches are needed. However, these cases highlight the innovative options at the disposal of cities to alleviate congestion through first- and last-mile transport, and the power of public-private collaboration in driving meaningful change. Also presented in this report are the collective efforts of cities and companies worldwide to confront congestion and foster more sustainable urban environments. Through such collaborations, progress can be made towards creating cities that are not only more navigable, but also better places to live and visit – healthier and more sustainable for all. Combatting Congestion: How Cities and Companies are Innovating First- and Last-Mile Transport 3

Combatting Congestion 2025