United States
Detroit
UMR Index Rank
#38
Score: 50%
Sustainable Mobility
#48
Score: 39.9%
Public Transit
#48
Score: 43.0%
Technology Adoption
#23
Score: 47.8%
| Population | 3.9 million |
| Surface area (km2) | 4,082 |
| Population-density (people/km2) | 954 |
| GDP per capita ($) | 61,980 |
UMR Index Rank
#38
Score: 50%
Sustainable Mobility
#48
Score: 39.9%
Public Transit
#48
Score: 43.0%
Technology Adoption
#23
Score: 47.8%
What Detroit Does Well In Urban Mobility
Detroit has well-connected roads, relatively fluid traffic, and a good traffic management system. This includes changeable message signs, coordinated traffic lights at arterial roads, metering lights to control traffic entering freeways, and an advanced traffic management center.
The authorities have created conditions for the development of connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) technologies and the adoption of autonomous transit. In 2022 the city launched the Michigan Mobility Collaborative, a public-private partnership that developed an autonomous vehicle shuttle pilot to run through 2025, offering free rides for elderly and disabled residents in southeast Detroit. Several private companies have benefitted from a 2022 law that gave Michigan’s Department of Transportation authority for designating roadways for CAV testing. The city also performs well on autonomous transit thanks to the Detroit People Mover, an automated 3-mile (5-kilometer) elevated rail system that runs around downtown Detroit and underwent a full system upgrade in 2024.
Urban Mobility Readiness Index, Sustainable Mobility, Public Transit, and Technology Adoption scores
Source: Oliver Wyman Forum and University of California, Berkeley
Challenges And Opportunities For Detroit’s Transportation System
Like many American cities with high car ownership and highway use, Detroit performs poorly on road safety. In fact, Detroit has one of the highest number of deaths per capita because of traffic accidents in this year’s index. Detroit launched a Safety Action Plan in 2022 and received in 2024 $62.5 million in funding from the US Department of Transportation and the Michigan Infrastructure Office to improve road safety and infrastructure. Part of this grant is intended for Gratiot Avenue/M-3, a road infamous for its danger. Work is expected to begin in 2026, including constructing pedestrian crossings, altering intersections, and lowering speed limits.
Residents in Detroit rarely opt for cycling or walking. While the city’s sprawl partly explains this, the subpar cycling and walking infrastructure acts as an additional disincentive. Some projects aimed at improving infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists are underway. For example, Detroit is installing bike lanes and improving pedestrian crossings as part of investments into Greater Corktown, a southeastern area of the city.
Dimensions of the Urban Mobility Readiness Index score
Source: Oliver Wyman Forum and University of California, Berkeley
How Detroit Can Improve Its Urban Mobility Performance
Detroit lags in elective vehicle (EV) market share in sales. The density of charging stations is among the lowest of all North American cities in the Urban Mobility Readiness Index. While the city has identified areas for installing chargers, including city-owned parking lots, it can accelerate the work. The $23 million that Detroit received for charging installation from the federal government in 2024 will help improve public infrastructure. The city also can provide greater subsidies, tax rebates, or grants to encourage private installation. Detroit can build on the incentives already offered at the state level. Furthermore, Detroit can introduce special access lanes for EVs and provide more free EV parking to encourage adoption.
Detroit’s public transportation is underutilized. Having finalized plans on the redesign of its bus system in 2024, Detroit can now accelerate implementation. The city can invest in more buses and more bus routes, as this is a cost- effective way to improve connectivity. Detroit also can encourage utilization by adding payment options to its mobile transportation application as it improves the public transit experience.
Urban Mobility Readiness Index relative ranking evolution (2020-2024)
Source: Oliver Wyman Forum and University of California, Berkeley