Strengthening SUMP monitoring: Best practices and pilot initiatives across Europe

The implementation of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) has become a cornerstone in promoting greener, safer, and more accessible urban environments. However, monitoring the impact and progress of these plans is critical to ensuring that they achieve their objectives. Recently, the Expert Group on Urban Mobility (EGUM) published a detailed opinion on best practices for monitoring SUMPs, offering vital guidance to cities and urban nodes across Europe. The primary objectives are to empower urban nodes to monitor the impact of SUMPs through the use of EU-wide indicators, thereby facilitating evidence-based planning.

Pilot projects and phased implementation: laying the groundwork for success

One of the key recommendations by EGUM is the use of pilot projects to refine and improve the monitoring of Urban Mobility Indicators (UMIs). These pilot projects allow selected urban nodes to experiment with new data collection methods, identify challenges, and gradually implement monitoring frameworks. By the end of 2027, full-scale implementation of these indicators is expected across the EU.

Cities like Ghent in Belgium and Turin in Italy have already begun implementing phased pilot projects focusing on indicators such as modal share and air quality. These cities are gradually expanding their scope, allowing them to manage resources efficiently while improving data accuracy. Such pilots not only test the effectiveness of the monitoring frameworks but also provide valuable insights that can be shared across Europe.

Concrete good practices in SUMP monitoring

Across Europe, various urban nodes have demonstrated effective practices that can serve as models for others:

• Collaborative governance in Copenhagen: In Copenhagen, the local government has adopted a collaborative governance approach, engaging stakeholders from different sectors—including transport authorities, private mobility providers, and citizen groups. This inclusive framework ensures that all voices are considered in the monitoring process, resulting in more relevant and actionable data.
• Helsinki’s centralised data platform: Helsinki stands out for its centralised open data platform, which aggregates various mobility indicators such as traffic density, emissions, and public transport usage. The platform is accessible to both authorities and the public, fostering transparency and ensuring that data-driven decisions are based on reliable and consistent information.
• Advanced technology in Barcelona: Barcelona has integrated cutting-edge technology, such as AI-driven analytics and real-time mobile phone data, into its SUMP monitoring. This approach enhances the city’s ability to monitor dynamic indicators like congestion levels and air quality in real-time, providing a detailed view of the urban mobility landscape.
• Aligning reporting frameworks in Vienna: Vienna has successfully aligned its SUMP monitoring efforts with existing EU directives, such as the Environmental Noise Directive (END) and the Ambient Air Quality Directives (AAQD). By integrating these frameworks, the city avoids duplicative reporting efforts and optimises the use of available resources.

Funding support and capacity building

To support cities in their SUMP monitoring efforts, the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Technical Assistance instrument has allocated €11 million in funding. This funding primarily targets urban nodes engaged in pilot projects, cities with limited data availability, and those requiring capacity-building support. For example, the funding has been instrumental in launching training programmes in cities like Leipzig in Germany and Malmö in Sweden, enabling them to strengthen in-house expertise and infrastructure for effective monitoring.

Urban Mobility Indicators: key areas of focus

The EGUM report emphasises the importance of a defined set of Urban Mobility Indicators that align with the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) regulation. Some of the most crucial indicators include:

• Modal share: Regular household surveys tracking the share of different transport modes.
• Accessibility metrics: Data on travel times by various modes to key transport hubs.
• Emissions tracking: Annual CO₂-equivalent emissions from road transport.
• Traffic safety: Data on persons fatally or seriously injured in road accidents.
• Shared mobility fleet size: Monitoring the number of shared vehicles and usage patterns.

These indicators are essential for assessing the progress and impact of SUMPs and provide valuable feedback for policy refinement and decision-making.

Overcoming challenges through best practices

While the implementation of SUMP monitoring presents several challenges, from data gaps to varying technical capacities across cities, the EGUM report offers a strategic roadmap to navigate these issues. One standout practice involves standardising data collection methods to enhance accuracy. Cities like Amsterdam in the Netherlands have developed robust methodologies combining traditional surveys with innovative data sources such as sensor networks and automated traffic counting systems.

The path forward: scaling success across Europe

As the 2027 deadline for full UMI integration approaches, cities across Europe are increasingly adopting these best practices. The gradual rollout, supported by targeted funding and capacity building, ensures that even smaller urban nodes can keep pace with more advanced cities. By sharing lessons learned from pilot projects and good practices, Europe’s urban nodes are well-positioned to make significant strides toward achieving sustainable, efficient, and inclusive urban mobility.

The EGUM’s recommendations and the success stories from pilot cities serve as an inspiring blueprint for others. By following these guidelines, cities can confidently monitor their SUMPs, making data-driven adjustments that will ultimately lead to better mobility systems and improved quality of life for all citizens.

Click here for more about sustainable urban mobility planning and monitoring, or here for more on the EU’s trans-European transport network policy.

Author: Jonathan De Vriendt 

Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of the European Commission.