Mapping the Institutional and Socio-Political Barriers to Smart Mobility Adoption: A TISM-MICMAC Approach

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.