Exploring Smart Mobility Potential in Kinshasa (DR-Congo) as a Contribution to Mastering Traffic Congestion and Improving Road Safety: A Comprehensive Feasibility Assessment

Antoine Kazadi Kayisu, Miroslava Mikusova, Pitshou Ntambu Bokoro and Kyandoghere Kyamakya ()
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Antoine Kazadi Kayisu: Faculté Polytechnique, Université de Kinshasa (UNIKIN), Kinshasa 15373, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Miroslava Mikusova: Faculty of Operation and Economics of Transport and Communications, University of Zilina, Univerzitná 8215/1, 010 26 Zilina, Slovakia
Pitshou Ntambu Bokoro: Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa
Kyandoghere Kyamakya: Faculté Polytechnique, Université de Kinshasa (UNIKIN), Kinshasa 15373, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 21, 1-53

Abstract: The urban landscape of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, faces significant mobility challenges, primarily stemming from rapid urbanization, overpopulation, and outdated infrastructure. These challenges necessitate the exploration of modern smart mobility concepts to improve traffic flow, road safety, and sustainability. This study investigates the potential of solutions such as Mobility-as-a-Service, car sharing, micro-mobility, Vehicle-as-a-Service, and electric vehicles in addressing these challenges. Through a comparative analysis of global implementations, this research identifies key success factors and barriers that inform the feasibility of integrating these solutions into Kinshasa’s unique socio-political and infrastructural context. The study presents a conceptual framework, supported by stakeholder analysis, for adapting these solutions locally. A detailed feasibility analysis considers technological, economic, social, environmental, and regulatory factors, offering a clear roadmap for implementation. Drawing on lessons from cities facing similar urban mobility challenges, the paper concludes with actionable recommendations and insights for policymakers and urban planners in Kinshasa. This research not only highlights the viability of smart mobility solutions in Kinshasa but also contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable urban development in rapidly growing cities. While smart mobility studies have largely focused on cities with developed infrastructure, there is a gap in understanding how these solutions apply to cities like Kinshasa with different infrastructural and socio-political contexts. Previous research has often overlooked the challenges of integrating smart mobility in rapidly urbanizing cities with underdeveloped transportation systems and financial constraints. This study fills that gap by offering a feasibility analysis tailored to Kinshasa, assessing smart mobility solutions for its traffic congestion and road safety issues. The smart mobility solutions studied—Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS), car sharing, electric vehicles (EVs), and micro-mobility—were chosen for their ability to address Kinshasa’s key mobility challenges. MaaS reduces reliance on private vehicles, easing congestion and improving public transport. Car sharing offers affordable alternatives to vehicle ownership, essential in a city with income inequality. EVs align with sustainability goals by reducing emissions, while micro-mobility (bikes and e-scooters) improves last-mile connectivity, addressing public transit gaps. These solutions are adaptable to Kinshasa’s context and offer scalable, sustainable improvements for urban mobility.

Keywords: smart mobility; Kinshasa; mobility as a service; car sharing; micro-mobility; vehicle as a service; electric vehicles; feasibility analysis; urban mobility systems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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