Rome
UMR Index
Score: 49.0%
Sustainable Mobility
Score: 42.4%
Public Transit
Score: 41.8%
| Population | 3.8 million |
| Surface area (km2) | 1,145 |
| Population-density (people/km2) | 3,288 |
| GDP per capita ($) | 55,385 |
What Rome Does Well in Urban Mobility
Rome has taken steps to move away from combustion engine cars, with ambitious electric vehicle (EV) investment and incentivization. As part of these efforts, the city partnered with a large technology company to install 120 charging stations.
The city is home to a diverse and multimodal public transit system with good operating hours and affordable fares. Construction is expected to begin in 2024 on a that will travel more than eight kilometers (five miles).
Urban Mobility Readiness Index, Sustainable Mobility and Public Transit scores
Challenges and Opportunities for Rome’s Transportation System
With limited dedicated cycling infrastructure, few residents opt to cycle around the city. However, Rome is planning to finish 150 kilometers (93 miles) of cycling infrastructure by 2026.
Lack of government investment in connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technologies has limited the development of automated vehicles in Rome. Italy has been slow to embrace regulation for autonomous driving.
Dimensions of the Urban Mobility Readiness Index score
How Rome Can Improve Its Public Transportation and Sustainable Mobility
Rome's cycling infrastructure could be improved to make the city more hospitable to cyclists. Installing and maintaining dedicated bike lanes with safety dividers on main roadways would be immensely helpful to increasing cycling's modal share. Previously mentioned plans to expand cycling infrastructure demonstrate acknowledgement and progress. Bikes are permitted on public transit; however, there are size restrictions and limitations during peak hours. Relaxing these restrictions would permit more cyclists to utilize both public transit and cycling for commuting. Lastly, expanding Rome’s various bike-sharing companies would further support cycling throughout the city.
With many of Rome's residents opting for personal cars, the city lags behind its peer Helsinki in terms of car ownership, with Romans owning twice as many vehicles on average as Helsinki's residents. Rome can discourage car usage by introducing car-free zones to heavily walked areas and by limiting car parking. It would need to offer alternative mobility options by promoting public transit, active mobility, and shared mobility such as car-sharing or ride-hailing. The city can improve its active mobility infrastructure through bike lanes or bike-sharing program expansions.