International Journal of Transportation Engineering

International Journal of Transportation Engineering

An Optimized Operational Model for the Development of Micromobility Systems in Metropolitan Areas: A Case Study of Tehran

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
1 PHD Candidate of Transportation Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 Iran University of Science and Technology: Tehran, Tehran, IR
Abstract
Micromobility has emerged as a flexible, low-emission alternative for short urban trips, attracting growing interest in densely populated cities. This study evaluates the financial viability of implementing a micromobility network in Tehran from the perspective of a private or institutional investor. Employing a discounted cash flow (DCF) model over a five-year planning horizon (2024–2029), the analysis considers only direct monetary flows, including capital expenditures (CAPEX), operating costs (OPEX), and revenue streams derived from trip-based fare structures. Demand is disaggregated by trip duration and monetized using calibrated fare multipliers aligned with real-world usage patterns. A real discount rate of 46.5% is applied, consistent with local economic conditions and infrastructure investment benchmarks. Results reveal that while the project operates at a deficit in its initial two years, it reaches operational breakeven in year three and achieves significant profitability thereafter, generating a cumulative net surplus of over 44 billion rial by the end of the analysis period. The findings underscore the financial feasibility of micromobility systems in emerging urban contexts and offer a replicable methodology for evaluating clean transport investments under inflationary and uncertain financial conditions..
Keywords


Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 18 July 2026