Osaka Smart City Study Finds Combining On-Demand Transport With Buses Increases Daily Walking by 1,730 Steps

Combining on-demand transport with buses increases daily steps by 1,730. Discover how Osaka's smart city project is improving public health through transit.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 10, 2026, 9:01 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Osaka Metropolitan University

Bridging the First-and-Last-Mile Mobility Gap

Suburban residents often face significant hurdles when attempting to access centralized public transport hubs, a challenge commonly known as the first-and-last-mile problem. According to Associate Professor Haruka Kato of Osaka Metropolitan University, the introduction of demand-responsive transport (DRT) provides a flexible solution to this geographic barrier. By examining the Senboku New Town smart city project in Osaka, researchers sought to determine if these on-demand services do more than just improve mobility. The study suggests that when transport is more accessible, the synergistic effect of using multiple modes of travel leads to a measurable increase in the physical exertion required for daily commuting.

Quantifying the Physical Impact of Multimodal Travel

The study utilized a quasi-experimental approach to track the activity levels of residents using the HealthSmart-Senboku smartphone application. By analyzing step count and travel-related data, researchers identified a significant surge in physical activity when participants combined DRT with fixed-route buses or railways. The results showed an average increase of 1,730 steps per day for individuals engaging in multimodal travel. This gain is notable because it represents a substantial portion of the daily activity recommended for cardiovascular health, yet it was achieved through the simple act of navigating a more efficient transportation network rather than dedicated exercise.

The Unintended Health Benefits of Improved Logistics

One of the most striking findings of the research was that participants rarely cited health improvement as their primary motivation for using multiple transport modes. Instead, the increase in walking appeared to be a secondary effect of improved logistics. According to Dr. Kato, once the barrier to reaching a transport hub was lowered by DRT, residents were naturally more inclined to take the bus. This shift led to more walking during routine movements, such as traveling to designated pick-up points and walking through transit stations during transfers. The data suggests that convenience, rather than health consciousness, is the primary driver of this increased activity.