Defining Seamless Multimodal Transportation through Four Key Principles: A Systematic Approach

The concept of seamless mobility has emerged as a solution for addressing complex challenges of urban transportation problems. However, ambiguity surrounds the concept, with uncertainty about its core characteristics and how it can be effectively advanced. To address this gap, this study defines a set of core characteristics and schemes associated with seamless mobility and summarizes the initial findings of a wider systematic review totaling 2205 studies. Through a screening process based on four principle layers of seamless mobility, namely, infrastructure, transport modes, system management, and user interface, the studies are distilled to 91. The results show how each of them contributes to specific aspects of seamless mobility must be included in its definition. Moreover, the results highlight the influence of emerging technologies, such as Internet of Things and Automated Driving, on certain research schemes. This study provides initial insights into a clearer definition of seamlessness and its practical application.