Sustainable Urban Mobility in Developing Cities: Citizen Perception and Hierarchical Evaluation of Strategies

Salazar V.; Castro Y.; Sanchez A. · International Conference on Civil, Structural and Transportation Engineering (2026) · DOI: 10.11159/iccste26.168

Resumen

This article examines strategies designed to promote sustainable mobility in developing cities, with particular emphasis on non-motorized transport. The central challenge lies in the insufficient infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists in urban contexts such as happening in the city of Lima, which exacerbates traffic congestion and limits access to cleaner and more equitable transportation alternatives. To assess potential solutions, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology was applied, considering measures such as the installation of pedestrian and cyclist traffic lights with push-button activation, educational campaigns on sustainable mobility, and charging stations for electric bicycles. A survey of 100 residents was conducted to evaluate these strategies in terms of cost, ease of implementation, and perceived impact. The findings indicate that educational campaigns and dedicated traffic lights were the most highly valued initiatives: 60% of participants reported that these measures would influence “a lot” their decision to adopt bicycles or other non-motorized modes, while 35% indicated a “moderate” influence. Similarly, 56% considered that traffic lights would significantly improve the mobility experience, and 51% expressed the same view regarding educational campaigns. Although charging stations and bicycle rental systems were also perceived positively, their relative impact was smaller. In conclusion, public perception highlights that the combination of accessible infrastructure and awareness campaigns is essential to advancing a more sustainable urban mobility model. Despite persistent challenges related to road safety and inadequate infrastructure, the integration of simple technological solutions with strengthened public awareness has the potential to improve quality of life and reduce congestion in developing cities.

Instituciones: Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas