How to deliver a complete set of transport strategies for a complex megacity like Moscow? First of all, it has to be flexible. There are no solutions that can be effectively implemented in all contexts, however, similar strategies can be proposed in places with similar characteristics. A systematic classification is therefore the first step to tackle the issue at such a vast scale.

An innovative analytical methodology was implemented by Systematica within the framework of the awarded consortium for the Moscow River Competition, where the Municipality ambitiously requested a single planning proposal on a stretch of 200km along river embankments.

Two key-transport qualities are detailed for the entire city: connectivity of the road network and public transport accessibility. Connectivity indicates to what extent one route is interrelated to the rest of the road network. Empirical studies demonstrate that routes with higher connectivity degree are those with the highest recorded number of trips and passages. This implies high traffic flows on main connections at urban scale and consequently vibrant pedestrian activities along said routes.

Public Transportation Accessibility Level (PTAL) is a scientific way of measuring varying densities of public transport services and infrastructure, by mapping the entire urban framework on the basis of the pedestrian distance of any point to public transport stations and stops, as well as the number, frequency and reliability of public transport services.

The relation of these two spatial qualities allows to recreate the full spectrum of possible transport and traffic conditions, from areas with excellent degree of accessibility, both with public transport or private car, to the most inaccessible places, including all combinations in between.

Following this methodology, the areas along the River Moskva, currently undergoing major interventions, are grouped into four main categories, allowing to propose typical interventions for each of them: new metro and bus lines are planned for the area with poorer level of accessibility, while cycle lanes and bike sharing points are proposed in areas that are already well connected to the mass transit network. Obviously, this allows to identify strategic measures at high level, whereas implementation plans to be developed, case by case and in detail, at a later stage.