Collection and Monitoring Cross-National Urban Mobility Data – Issues, Limitations and Perspectives

One of the key challenges in analyzing urban mobility, especially on a cross-national scale, lies in the collection of high-quality and methodologically comparable data. This includes not only transport data but also spatial, socio-economic, and environmental data necessary for a comprehensive analysis. Comparable urban and transport data for different cities around the world and across different time periods are rarely available. Since the pioneering work of Newman and Kenworthy, there have been few attempts to create such a database. The main reasons for this are inconsistent data collection methods, a lack of primary data, ambiguity in different indicators, and varied definitions of metrics, among others. These challenges hinder the creation of a comprehensive understanding of urban mobility, making it difficult to assess the impact of existing policies and interventions. The problems arising from these issues include difficulties in developing accurate and effective policy recommendations, identifying best practices, and evaluating sustainability progress, as well as challenges in forecasting future mobility trends. This is particularly evident in developing metropolises, which are experiencing the greatest demographic growth, the highest urbanization rates and improvements in living standards—factors that contribute to significant and urgent urban mobility challenges. This study aims to examine the issues and limitations associated with cross-national urban mobility data collection and propose strategies for improving data harmonization, methodological consistency, and the integration of modern technologies such as big data analytics, IoT, and GIS. By addressing these challenges, the study seeks to contribute to the development of a standardized framework that enhances global urban mobility data collection, enabling policymakers to make informed decisions that support sustainable urban development.