Digital platforms for sustainable mobility: A scoping review

This study examines digital mobility platforms (DMPs) and their role in advancing sustainable mobility. It situates DMPs within the broader context of digitalization and platformization in urban mobility. The growing focus on platform-based mobility systems, along with limited research on the influence of DMPs on sustainable mobility choices, motivated this study. A scoping review was conducted using a comprehensive and systematic search strategy across scientific databases, yielding 4074 unique studies. Following title- and abstract-based screening, along with a snowballing process, 71 studies were selected for full review. These studies were coded using Stepwise-Deductive Induction (SDI), and clusters of research categories were identified. The results highlight four major research categories: (1) information for sustainable travel, (2) motivational strategies for behavioral change, (3) data-driven decision-making, and (4) user attitudes. The findings show that platforms shape mobility choices by influencing users through information and motivational strategies, and by leveraging user data to inform transport policies and infrastructure. Understanding the role of DMPs is crucial for policymakers, urban planners, and platform developers to optimize their contribution to sustainable mobility. The debates and discussions identified within each category open avenues for future research and demonstrate how policy can guide DMPs toward sustainable and smart mobility. • Systematic review of 71 studies on DMPs and sustainable mobility choices. • Four research clusters identified: information, motivation, data, and attitudes. • Shows how platforms actively influence user travel behavior. • Data from platforms support planning and demand-sensitive transport policies. • Defines key research gaps and future directions in digital mobility.