The mobility pyramid or hierarchy is an urban planning strategy that establishes a hierarchy of preference between the different modes of transportation that coexist in cities. Its main objective is to promote equity and sustainability in public spaces, giving priority to the most vulnerable users and those means of transport that are more efficient, sustainable and less harmful to the environment. The approach is to put pedestrians and cyclists first, followed by public transport, and leaving private cars last. [1].
Pyramid Structure
The mobility pyramid is generally presented as an inverted pyramid, where at the top are the most vulnerable and least polluting modes of transport, and at the base are the modes of transport that generate more negative externalities, such as traffic congestion and pollution.[2] The hierarchy,[3] commonly follows this order:
Objectives and benefits
The main objective of the mobility pyramid is to reverse the historical prioritization of the private car in urban mobility policies, favoring modes of transport that promote equity, road safety and environmental sustainability.[5] Among the most notable benefits of the implementation of this hierarchy are:
Application in the world
Contenido
Este enfoque ha sido adoptado en diversas ciudades alrededor del mundo como una herramienta clave para el desarrollo de políticas de movilidad.[6].
Mexico
In Mexico City, the mobility hierarchy has been incorporated into the Streets Manual of the Secretariat of Agrarian, Territorial and Urban Development (SEDATU), which promotes road design focused on sustainable and equitable mobility.[7] This approach prioritizes pedestrians, cyclists and public transportation users over the use of motorized vehicles. Initiatives such as the expansion of bicycle lanes and the promotion of the use of public transportation reflect the application of these principles.
Urban planning as mobility policy
Introduction
The mobility pyramid or hierarchy is an urban planning strategy that establishes a hierarchy of preference between the different modes of transportation that coexist in cities. Its main objective is to promote equity and sustainability in public spaces, giving priority to the most vulnerable users and those means of transport that are more efficient, sustainable and less harmful to the environment. The approach is to put pedestrians and cyclists first, followed by public transport, and leaving private cars last. [1].
Pyramid Structure
The mobility pyramid is generally presented as an inverted pyramid, where at the top are the most vulnerable and least polluting modes of transport, and at the base are the modes of transport that generate more negative externalities, such as traffic congestion and pollution.[2] The hierarchy,[3] commonly follows this order:
Objectives and benefits
The main objective of the mobility pyramid is to reverse the historical prioritization of the private car in urban mobility policies, favoring modes of transport that promote equity, road safety and environmental sustainability.[5] Among the most notable benefits of the implementation of this hierarchy are:
Application in the world
Contenido
Este enfoque ha sido adoptado en diversas ciudades alrededor del mundo como una herramienta clave para el desarrollo de políticas de movilidad.[6].
Mexico
In Mexico City, the mobility hierarchy has been incorporated into the Streets Manual of the Secretariat of Agrarian, Territorial and Urban Development (SEDATU), which promotes road design focused on sustainable and equitable mobility.[7] This approach prioritizes pedestrians, cyclists and public transportation users over the use of motorized vehicles. Initiatives such as the expansion of bicycle lanes and the promotion of the use of public transportation reflect the application of these principles.
The city has made progress in the implementation of this mobility pyramid with the creation of pedestrian corridors, bicycle lanes and the promotion of systems such as Ecobici "Ecobici (Mexico City)") (shared bicycles) and Metrobús (public transportation in exclusive lanes). Additionally, the Mobility Law of 2014 explicitly establishes priority in infrastructure and policies, putting pedestrians and cyclists first, followed by public transportation, and finally, motorized vehicles.[8].
Netherlands
The mobility pyramid prioritizes pedestrians and cyclists, encouraging a sustainable and safe transportation approach. Pedestrians have the highest priority, with wide sidewalks, low-speed zones and crossings designed for their safety. Cyclists also feature prominently thanks to an extensive network of segregated bike lanes and bike parking stations. Public transport plays a key role, with an integrated and efficient system. On the other hand, private cars have a lower priority, and their use is discouraged through measures such as high parking costs and the reduction of lanes in densely populated urban areas.
[4] ↑ Tanikawa-Obregón, Kei; Paz-Gómez, Diana Marcela (2021). «El peatón como base de una movilidad urbana sostenible en Latinoamérica: una visión para construir ciudades del futuro». Boletín de Ciencias de la Tierra (50): 33-38. Consultado el 7 de octubre de 2024.: https://www.redalyc.org/journal/1695/169575355004/html/
The city has made progress in the implementation of this mobility pyramid with the creation of pedestrian corridors, bicycle lanes and the promotion of systems such as Ecobici "Ecobici (Mexico City)") (shared bicycles) and Metrobús (public transportation in exclusive lanes). Additionally, the Mobility Law of 2014 explicitly establishes priority in infrastructure and policies, putting pedestrians and cyclists first, followed by public transportation, and finally, motorized vehicles.[8].
Netherlands
The mobility pyramid prioritizes pedestrians and cyclists, encouraging a sustainable and safe transportation approach. Pedestrians have the highest priority, with wide sidewalks, low-speed zones and crossings designed for their safety. Cyclists also feature prominently thanks to an extensive network of segregated bike lanes and bike parking stations. Public transport plays a key role, with an integrated and efficient system. On the other hand, private cars have a lower priority, and their use is discouraged through measures such as high parking costs and the reduction of lanes in densely populated urban areas.
[4] ↑ Tanikawa-Obregón, Kei; Paz-Gómez, Diana Marcela (2021). «El peatón como base de una movilidad urbana sostenible en Latinoamérica: una visión para construir ciudades del futuro». Boletín de Ciencias de la Tierra (50): 33-38. Consultado el 7 de octubre de 2024.: https://www.redalyc.org/journal/1695/169575355004/html/