Researchers at the World Bank and OECD apply Mapbox Traffic and Movement data, as well as the Mapbox Isochrone API, to inform transportation infrastructure planning and service availability around the world.

For the past four years, Mapbox has partnered with the Development Data Partnership, an initiative that includes the World Bank and 11 other international organizations as its members. The Partnership fosters collaborations between international organizations and technology companies to promote the responsible use of data for public good. 

Each year, Mapbox provides pro-bono products including Mapbox Traffic, Mapbox Movement, the Mapbox Isochrone API, and the Mapbox Matrix API to Partnership research projects. In 2024, Mapbox supported 12 projects across South Asia, North America, Latin America, Africa, and Europe. Mapbox data have been fundamental inputs for research projects focused on reducing the impact of natural disasters, improving transportation infrastructure, and advancing economic and social development. 

Advancing urban mobility and job accessibility in Argentina 

Urban transportation infrastructure plays a central role in job accessibility, quality of life, and environmental conservation. In Argentina, the World Bank’s Transport Global Practice in Latin America used Mapbox Traffic Data to analyze traffic congestion and job accessibility in Córdoba, Mendoza, Salta, and Neuquén-Cipolletti. Using a model developed with Mapbox Traffic Data and open-source libraries such as Pandana, UrbanAccess, and OSMnx, the team calculated the number of jobs reachable within specific time thresholds from different metropolitan areas. The analysis covered various modes of transport, including car, public transit, bicycles, and combination of public transport and bicycle. Research revealed that car access to jobs remains significantly higher than other transport options, highlighting the need to improve public transit and cycling infrastructure to provide viable alternatives to car travel. This data-driven approach not only identifies accessibility gaps but also informs strategic investments to boost economic productivity and improve urban mobility.

“To calculate accessibility to jobs by car considering congested traffic conditions, we utilize high frequency data from Mapbox to compute travel times from any origin and destination within a given area. Due to cost constraints, it is uncommon to study car accessibility under congested conditions. Thanks to the Development Data Partnership with Mapbox, we obtained the required data.” See the Full Report.

Reducing congestion in Lima using Mapbox Traffic Data

Mapbox Traffic also informed the development of a 10-year urban mobility strategy for Lima, Peru. In 2022 the city was ranked the fourth most congested metropolitan area in the world, highlighting the need for changing mobility patterns. However, it was challenging for analysts to access adequate data to analyze traffic behavior across the rapidly growing city.

In collaboration with Mapbox and other location technology partners, the World Bank’s Transport Global Practice developed a transportation database for the “Using Mobility to improve Lives in Lima” project. The team mapped trips between city zones, average travel distances and times, speeds, and congestion hotspots. This analysis enabled local authorities with location insights for reducing congestion, improving job access, and optimizing public and non-motorized transit. Improving travel times will directly support an estimated two-thirds of the economic benefits identified in the 10-year urban transport program’s first phase.

“Understanding and optimizing actual traffic patterns requires specialized data that is very expensive to collect. Accessing Mapbox Traffic Data through the Development Data Partnership has made it possible for researchers and project teams to conduct more nuanced and detailed analysis than previously available to them.” – Claudia Calderon, Partnerships Lead, Development Data Partnership

Enhancing service accessibility in European towns and villages 

In the European Union, towns and villages face demographic challenges such as population decline, aging populations, and rural depopulation. Half of all villages and more than 40% of towns have lost population. The OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions, and Cities (CFE) used the Mapbox Isochrone API to inform its project Studying Service Accessibility in Towns and Villages.

The team used the Mapbox Isochrone API to map drive-time polygons around towns and villages to assess the availability of services accessible within a 30-minute drive. Using the Mapbox Isochrone API meant that the drive-time polygons actually followed the road network, instead of only a simplified straight line distance, allowing for a more nuanced and realistic analysis of the availability of services. The research revealed that isolated towns often develop more local services to compensate for their isolation, confirmed demographic challenges such as aging populations and rural depopulation, and underscored the need to strengthen local services in remote areas to improve access to healthcare and education.

Identifying healthcare gaps in Lithuania

Another project focused on demographic change analyzed the Tauragė zone in Lithuania, where rapid social and economic changes have challenged healthcare delivery. The Regional Development and Multilevel Governance (RDG) Division of the Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions, and Cities (CFE) at the OECD, used the Mapbox Isochrone API to evaluate access to primary healthcare (PHC) and long-term care (LTC). By overlaying realistic travel-time isochrones with population grids, researchers pinpointed service gaps and identified areas in need of investment.

Innovating with Mapbox location data

Each year, every Development Data Partnership project that uses Mapbox data further illuminates the potential of location data when applied to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. From improving rural service accessibility to enhancing road safety, Mapbox equips researchers, governments, and businesses with insightful and valuable location data. 

“Through the generous support of the Mapbox Data team in 2024, the Development Data Partnership has been able to support a wide range of impactful projects. We look forward to continued collaboration with Mapbox as we expand the use of both established and innovative research techniques using Mapbox’s uniquely valuable location data.” – Claudia Calderon, Partnerships Lead, Development Data Partnership

Learn more about the Development Data Partnership and connect with Mapbox about other ways that Mapbox data can support impactful research projects.