Transportation systems globally face challenges related to congestion, decreased quality of life, limited accessibility, increased harmful emissions and costs, growing use of private cars and in some cases lack of intra and intermodal integration. Smart Mobility is believed to be a solution to some of these challenges by providing comprehensive and intelligent mobility services, decreasing transportation costs, promoting safety, and combating pollution and traffic congestion. Despite this potential, there is still uncertainty surrounding what smart mobility is and whether it is moving toward improving the quality of life and making cities more sustainable. To address this gap, this paper conducts a bibliometric review of 3223 Web of Science Core Collection-indexed documents to provide a comprehensive understanding of smart mobility research. The findings reveal a lack of multi-disciplinary approaches in previous studies with a strong emphasis on technological aspects and limited social or economic considerations in current research. The review identifies four distinct periods of smart mobility research, with recent interest sparked by advancements in big data, deep learning, artificial intelligence, and real-time technologies in transport systems. However, there is a dearth of research on smart mobility in developing countries, where urban populations are rapidly increasing. Thus, the review proposes a research agenda to address the current gaps in knowledge. Furthermore, the review provides an updated and integrated definition of smart mobility as the use of advanced technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, and artificial intelligence, to improve transportation efficiency, mobility for all, and sustainability while safeguarding the quality of life. The primary challenge for smart mobility is the co-evolution with existing transport systems, making further research on integration with these systems and real-time technologies essential for advancing smart mobility research. The paper’s main contribution is an integrated conceptualisation of smart mobility research and novel research topics that build on this unified base.

Smart mobility is widely promoted as a solution to urban congestion, pollution, and inefficiency. Yet, its adoption remains inconsistent, particularly in developing and small cities. While prior research has examined technological enablers, the structural and systemic barriers that constrain adoption are less understood. This study identifies and analyzes the institutional, political, technological, and socio-cultural barriers that collectively inhibit smart mobility transitions. Using Total Interpretive Structural Modelling (TISM) and MICMAC analysis, the study hierarchically maps 14 interrelated barriers derived from literature and validated through expert consultation. Findings reveal that legacy paradigms in conventional transport planning, fragmented institutional mandates, and regulatory misalignment are the foundational constraints that reinforce downstream challenges such as affordability, limited service coverage, and user resistance. Anchored in Critical Urban Theory, the study reframes smart mobility adoption as a contested and political process shaped by institutional inertia and unequal access to technology. The paper contributes to the literature by offering a theory-informed diagnostic framework for understanding mobility transitions. It also provides practical entry points for policymakers, planners, and mobility innovators seeking to target root cause interventions rather than symptoms, to enable more equitable, scalable, and resilient smart mobility transitions.

Smart mobility is widely promoted as a solution to the urban challenges of congestion, pollution, and inefficient transportation systems. Yet, its adoption remains inconsistent, particularly in developing cities where structural and systemic barriers are dominant. Prior research has examined enabling factors such as digital infrastructure and user perceptions, but has paid limited attention to the institutional, political, and socio-cultural constraints that influence adoption. Moreover, whenever considered, the barriers are studied in isolation, obscuring their systemic interactions. This study addresses this gap using Total Interpretive Structural Modelling (TISM) to hierarchically map the barriers. To complement the analysis, MICMAC classification is used to assess their driving and dependence power. Findings reveal that legacy paradigms in conventional transport planning, fragmented institutional mandates, and regulatory misalignment are the foundational barriers, reinforcing downstream challenges such as affordability constraints, limited service coverage, and persistent car-centric preferences. Anchored in Critical Urban Theory, the study depicts how smart mobility adoption is not a neutral technological process, but one deeply embedded in wider struggles over governance, equity, and urban development. The paper contributes to the literature by offering a theory-building framework that captures the interdependence of institutional, technological, and behavioral barriers. It also provides practical entry points for policymakers, planners, and mobility innovators seeking to target root cause interventions rather than symptoms, thereby enabling more equitable, scalable, and resilient smart mobility transitions.