Combatting Congestion 2025

Executive Summary Cities and businesses around the world are adopting innovative solutions to address the challenge of congestion. Urban transport systems are facing new and growing pressures. Increasing urban populations, changing behaviours and demands around transport, and changing societal patterns such as remote and hybrid working, all pose challenges to the traditional operation of transport in cities. Among the biggest challenges facing urban transport is congestion, underpinned by transport systems dominated by single-occupancy vehicles and limited urban space. Traditional solutions to tackle congestion – such as public transport, shared vehicles, walking, cycling, warehousing and pooled delivery vehicles – remain vital in keeping cities moving. But, with changing societal patterns around transport, innovative solutions are needed to tackle congestion. This report focuses on the challenge of congestion in cities and explores how addressing the first and last mile of transport can mitigate this pervasive issue. Pioneering approaches are showcased across technology, policy and infrastructure, which demonstrate the necessity of innovative strategies to enhance urban mobility. Solutions like micromobility, data-driven transport management, autonomous vehicles and innovative infrastructure projects are helping cities deliver efficient first- and last-mile transport and reshape urban mobility. These innovations and many more are not only enhancing the efficiency of existing transport systems, but also future-proofing urban transport and contributing to more sustainable, liveable cities. The diversity of solutions explored in this report reflects a broad spectrum of interventions, from experimental pilots to proven strategies that significantly ease congestion and enhance first- and last-mile connectivity. These initiatives demonstrate the potential for cities of various sizes and contexts to tackle congestion effectively and highlight the importance of customizing solutions to meet local needs and conditions. As cities continue to grapple with new challenges and ever-changing transport needs, there is a clear need for collaboration among stakeholders to deliver efficient first- and last-mile transport and address congestion. Investments in infrastructure, the integration of evolving technologies and flexible policies depend on strong public-private cooperation. This report highlights innovative approaches to first- and last-mile transport, contributing to the reimagining of urban transport. Embracing these solutions can create more accessible, navigable, sustainable and healthier transport systems that meet the demands of modern cities. Combatting Congestion: How Cities and Companies are Innovating First- and Last-Mile Transport 4