Smartphone apps for mobility access from a social inequality perspective: a systematic literature review

Abstract

In recent years, the growing popularity of smartphone applications has established them as the primary interface for accessing transport services. This has raised concerns among scholars regarding its potentially negative impacts, such as exacerbating barriers to accessing transportation via apps and digital platforms in general. This paper reviews the academic literature on inequalities related to app-based access to transportation. We summarise the vulnerable social groups affected, categorize the types of access barriers they face, and synthesize solutions proposed in existing studies. By applying an intersectional lens, we explore how digital and mobility inequalities overlap, and introduce the concept of digital mobility inequalities. The paper concludes by proposing future research directions and outlining mitigation strategies, with the aim of fostering a critical reflection on the equity implications of the growing reliance on app-based mobility platforms.