IoT Architecture for Inclusive Urban Mobility: A Design Science Research Approach to Sustainable Transportation in Morocco ^†

Abstract

We introduce an IoT architecture that addresses critical mobility challenges in Morocco’s urban transportation ecosystem. Using Design Science Research methodology, we developed a complete system integrating smart infrastructure, edge computing, and accessible interfaces to enhance service quality while prioritizing inclusivity for vulnerable populations. Our five-layer architecture targets institutional capacity limitations, inadequate service levels, and accessibility barriers present in Morocco’s transportation landscape. An evaluation of our proposed solution shows how technology integration can advance eco-friendly transport goals while accommodating limited resources in developing contexts. The research contributes novel insights into IoT architectural models for inclusive design alongside practical recommendations for transportation authorities seeking to leverage digital transformation for more equitable urban mobility.

1. Introduction

Urban mobility represents one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century. Cities worldwide grapple with rapid urbanization while attempting to balance environmental sustainability and social equity. This rapid urbanization is particularly common in developing nations, where cities frequently face challenges in offering adequate, accessible, and sustainable mobility solutions for their expanding populations [1].

The challenge of urban mobility extends beyond mere infrastructure capacity to include fundamental questions of social inclusion and environmental responsibility. Urban transportation systems frequently fail to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities, with over a billion people globally estimated to live with some form of disability [2], creating barriers to employment, education, and social participation. Simultaneously, the transportation sector contributes significantly to air pollution and climate change, with global energy-related CO₂ emissions reaching a historic high of 33.1 Gt in 2018 [3]. Cities need innovative approaches using new technologies to create transport systems that are both inclusive and environmentally sustainable.

Internet of Things (IoT) technologies offer solutions for these urban mobility challenges. Smart transportation systems utilizing IoT can optimize traffic flows, reduce emissions, and enhance accessibility through real-time data collection and intelligent service delivery [4]. However, a majority of existing IoT frameworks for urban mobility focus primarily on technological efficiency without adequately addressing inclusivity requirements, particularly for vulnerable populations such as people with disabilities, elderly citizens, and low-income communities [5].

This global challenge is particularly acute in Morocco, where rapid urbanization has created significant pressures on urban transportation systems. With 63% of its population residing in urban areas (approximately 23 million people in 2020) and projected growth to 70% by 2050 [6], Morocco faces increasing demands on transportation infrastructure. Despite significant investments in modern transport infrastructure including tramways and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, challenges persist in service quality, accessibility for vulnerable populations, and environmental sustainability [6].

The Moroccan context presents unique challenges that reflect broader patterns observed in many developing nations. Public transport users in major urban agglomerations continue to experience slow, underperforming, and unreliable services, with significant slowdowns during peak hours in dense urban areas; this congestion is estimated to have an economic cost equivalent to 3% of GDP [6]. Urban transport can be inadequate for vulnerable populations—including the poor, youth, women, and people with limited mobility—hindering their access to employment, education, and health services [7]. Furthermore, Morocco faces significant energy consumption challenges, with an energy dependency rate of approximately 91% as of 2019 [7], and has set national targets for greenhouse gas reduction, aiming for a 45.5% overall reduction by 2030 [8].

We address these challenges through a Design Science Research (DSR) methodology to develop an IoT-based architecture for inclusive urban mobility specifically tailored to the Moroccan context. Building on Morocco’s transport programs and international best practices, we propose a system combining smart infrastructure, connected vehicles, data analytics, and accessible interfaces to improve urban transportation while prioritizing sustainability and inclusion.

Our research contributes to both theory and practice by: (1) developing a comprehensive IoT architecture specifically designed for urban mobility challenges in developing nations, with particular attention to resource constraints and infrastructure limitations; (2) demonstrating how inclusive design principles can be systematically integrated into IoT solutions to enhance accessibility for vulnerable populations; (3) providing a scalable implementation framework that balances technological advancement with practical deployment considerations in resource-constrained environments; and (4) extending the knowledge base on IoT applications for sustainable urban development by addressing the intersection of technological innovation, environmental sustainability, and social equity.

The structure of this paper follows the DSR methodology, beginning with a thorough analysis of urban mobility challenges in Morocco, followed by the design and development of our proposed IoT architecture, demonstration of its potential applications, and evaluation of its expected contributions to more inclusive and sustainable urban transportation systems.

2. Background and Related Work

2.1. Urban Mobility Challenges in Morocco

Morocco has achieved notable advancements in transportation infrastructure development. Nonetheless, users of public transport in major cities continue to encounter services that are slow, underperforming, and unreliable, as highlighted in national assessments on sustainable mobility [9]. Commercial speeds of public transit can be significantly low in dense urban areas during peak hours, contributing to congestion that has an estimated economic cost of 3% of GDP [6]. Urban transport remains inadequate for many, including the poor, youth, women, and people with limited mobility, hindering their access to jobs, education, and health services [7].

Morocco’s energy sector is characterized by a high dependency rate of approximately 91% (2019), with fossil fuels representing 70% of primary energy consumption in that year [7]. These emissions are a significant concern, particularly in urban areas, and are subject to national reduction efforts and targets aimed at mitigating climate change, including an updated overall GHG reduction target of 45.5% by 2030 [8].

2.2. IoT for Urban Transportation

IoT technologies offer promising solutions for urban mobility challenges through real-time data collection, analysis, and application. Previous research has demonstrated IoT applications in traffic management [4], public transit optimization [10], and multimodal transportation [5]. However, most existing frameworks focus on technological aspects without adequately addressing inclusivity and accessibility requirements.

• Real-World Implementation Examples

Several cities have successfully deployed IoT-based urban mobility solutions. Singapore’s Smart Mobility 2030 initiative outlines a comprehensive plan involving sensor networks for real-time traffic optimization and intelligent transport systems [11]. Barcelona’s smart city initiative has deployed IoT sensors throughout its transportation network, aiming to improve aspects like bus schedule reliability and reduce energy consumption through smart infrastructure integration [12]. However, research, such as analyses of Barcelona’s smart city development, indicates that many existing IoT implementations primarily focus on operational efficiency, sometimes overlooking accessibility for vulnerable populations [13], highlighting the need for more inclusive design approaches in urban mobility systems.

Recent studies emphasize the importance of edge computing for reducing latency in critical urban mobility applications and addressing issues like bandwidth and security [14]. These studies also highlight advancements in areas like microservice orchestration for IoT [15]. Despite these advancements, research gaps remain in addressing the specific needs of developing nations, where infrastructure capabilities and resource availability differ significantly from developed countries [1].

This research proposes MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) for its lightweight nature and publish/subscribe pattern, which are suitable for resource-constrained environments [16]. Unlike some resource-intensive approaches, our architecture is specifically designed for deployment in environments with limited infrastructure and budget constraints while maintaining focus on inclusive design principles.

2.3. Design Science Research Methodology

This study employs Design Science Research (DSR) methodology, which focuses on creating innovative artifacts to solve real-world problems while contributing to theoretical knowledge [17,18]. DSR is particularly appropriate for this research as it enables the systematic development and evaluation of solutions with practical relevance.

Our research follows a six-step DSR process: problem identification through analysis of Morocco’s urban mobility challenges, definition of solution objectives based on identified needs, design and development of the IoT architecture, demonstration in selected contexts, evaluation through defined metrics, and communication of findings and implications. Figure 1 illustrates this iterative DSR process as applied to our project, highlighting how feedback from stakeholders during demonstration and evaluation phases informed continuous refinements to the architecture design to address Morocco’s unique urban mobility context.

3. Problem Identification and Solution Objectives

3.1. Key Challenges in Moroccan Urban Mobility

Institutional capacity limitations persist despite recent progress in capacity building. Urban transport institutions need stronger capabilities to plan, implement, and monitor infrastructure and services, a need identified in national assessments [9]. Service levels remain inadequate, with commercial speeds of public transport often dropping significantly in dense urban areas during peak hours, impacting productivity and quality of life. This congestion is estimated to have an economic cost equivalent to 3% of GDP [6].

Accessibility is limited for vulnerable populations; globally, over a billion people are estimated to live with some form of disability [2]. In Morocco, urban transport can be inadequate for people with limited mobility, hindering their access to essential services, a concern raised in national socio-economic reports [7]. Environmental sustainability concerns are prominent. Morocco has an energy dependency rate of approximately 91% (as of 2019) [7], and the transport sector is a notable contributor to energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, which the country aims to reduce through national targets, including an overall GHG reduction goal of 45.5% by 2030 [8]. These interconnected challenges are summarized in

Table 1. Key Challenges in Moroccan Urban Mobility.

Challenge	Description	Impact	Source
Institutional Capacity	Limited capabilities for planning, implementing, and monitoring infrastructure despite progress	Inefficient service delivery and resource utilization	[3] CESE Report, 2021
Service Level	Commercial speeds dropping to ~5 km/h in dense urban areas during peak hours	Reduced productivity, increased travel time, poor quality of life	[4] World Bank Assessment, 2020
Accessibility	15–20% of citizens with limited mobility facing inadequate infrastructure	Social exclusion, reduced access to jobs, education, and health services	[5] CESE Report, 2019
Environmental Sustainability	Transport sector accounting for 25% of energy consumption, producing 1/5 of GHG emissions, growing at 5% annually	Climate change, air pollution, negative health impacts	[6,7] AMEE Report 2019, Ministry NDC 2021
Post-COVID Resilience	Pandemic exacerbating issues, potentially accelerating shift to private vehicles	Increased congestion, emissions, and social exclusion	[2] World Bank Report, 2020

, which provides a comprehensive overview of the key obstacles, their impacts, and supporting evidence.

3.2. Solution Objectives

Based on the identified problems, we defined objectives for our IoT architecture to enhance institutional capacity through improved monitoring and data-driven decision-making capabilities, improve service levels by optimizing operations and enhancing reliability, increase accessibility for vulnerable populations through inclusive design, reduce environmental impact by promoting sustainable transport modes, and build system resilience to address future disruptions.

4. Proposed IoT Architecture

Our proposed IoT architecture for inclusive urban mobility consists of five integrated layers. Each of these layers tackles particular challenges while ensuring cohesion via standardized interfaces and protocols. Figure 2 illustrates the architectural overview and shows how these layers interact to form a comprehensive solution. All system components communicate bidirectionally, with accessibility features integrated throughout every layer as core architectural requirements rather than add-ons.

4.1. Infrastructure Layer

The infrastructure layer comprises physical components deployed throughout the urban environment and transportation fleet. Smart poles include solar-powered units providing E-ink displays for low-power information dissemination, WiFi connectivity, environmental monitoring, cameras for security and traffic monitoring, and accessibility enhancements such as audio beacons and tactile buttons.

Vehicle systems feature components integrated into the transport fleet, including vehicle diagnostics and performance monitoring, passenger counting systems, positioning for location accuracy, and accessibility features such as automated announcements and wheelchair ramps. Network infrastructure includes connectivity components enabling data transmission, including WiFi mesh networks, cellular connectivity, MQTT broker infrastructure, and redundant communication paths for critical system components.

4.2. Edge Computing Layer

The edge computing layer processes data locally to reduce latency, minimize bandwidth requirements, and enhance system resilience. Smart pole computing modules handle sensor data processing locally before transmission, managing accessibility features and optimizing power consumption. Vehicle edge computing includes onboard systems analyzing passenger counts and processing vehicle diagnostics. Local data processing provides edge analytics for filtering and aggregating sensor data while ensuring continuity during connectivity disruptions.

4.3. Data Management Layer

The data management layer handles collection, processing, storage, and analysis of system-wide information. Data ingestion includes stream processing infrastructure for real-time data collection and scalable processing of high-volume sensor data. Data storage uses multi-tiered solutions including time-series databases for sensors and document databases for unstructured data. The analytics platform supports historical analysis, predictive models, and real-time operational monitoring.

4.4. Application Services Layer

The application services layer provides business logic and functional capabilities through microservices architecture. Trip management services cover journey planning and route optimization, while the reservation system manages user bookings with priority handling for special needs. Driver management services support transport staff scheduling and performance monitoring, and maintenance services enable predictive maintenance. Accessibility services include dedicated features for inclusive transport, such as personalized accessibility profiles and navigation assistance for users with disabilities.

4.5. User Interface Layer

The user interface layer provides access points for different stakeholders. The administrative dashboard offers transport authorities performance monitoring and analytics tools. The driver application provides transport staff with route information and vehicle diagnostics. The passenger mobile application is a Progressive Web App for journey planning and real-time service information, featuring voice control and screen reader compatibility. Public information displays include e-ink displays, tactile maps with braille labels, and audio information systems, all implementing WCAG 2.1 AA compliance as a minimum standard.

5. Design Considerations and Proposed Implementation Framework

5.1. Proposed Phased Deployment Strategy

Our proposed IoT architecture follows a strategic three-phase deployment framework designed to align with the goals and existing investments of Morocco’s Urban Transport Program [6]. This design framework ensures scalability while building on existing institutional mechanisms related to urban transport development and planning in Morocco [6,9,19].

Proposed Phase 1: Foundation (Months 1–6) would establish core infrastructure at key stations such as Casa Port and Mohammed V University in Casablanca, leveraging existing BRT infrastructure investments supported by programs like the Urban Transport Program [6]. The design proposes smart poles with solar panels optimized for Morocco’s climate conditions and designed for extended battery storage, with the aim to reduce grid dependency. Vehicle system integration would focus on enhancing accessibility in public transport fleets, in line with the objectives of the Urban Transport Program [6], incorporating onboard sensors and automated multilingual announcements. The proposed data platform would be designed to process sensor readings during peak operations, addressing institutional capacity limitations identified in national assessments [9].

Proposed Phase 2: Core Services (Months 7–12) would introduce trip management and reservation systems with accessibility priority handling. The design includes dynamic routing algorithms to address the documented significant slowdowns and congestion [6], with the goal of improving journey times. Proposed predictive maintenance capabilities aim to extend vehicle lifecycle and improve on-time performance through real-time fleet management systems.

Proposed Phase 3: User Interfaces (Months 13–18) would deliver WCAG 2.1 AA-compliant mobile applications and administrative dashboards. The design proposes public displays integrating tactile maps with Braille labels, serving citizens with mobility limitations, a need highlighted in national reports [7]. Expected design outcomes include increased ridership and comprehensive decision support tools for transport authorities.

The proposed framework aims to integrate with institutional structures supported by the Urban Transport Program [6] to provide institutional capacity for IoT analytics management, while aligning with the Program’s objectives for measuring service quality improvements.

5.2. Gender Sensitivity and Universal Design

The proposed design addresses documented barriers affecting women’s use of public transport. Smart poles would integrate video surveillance with edge computing for incident detection, while enhanced lighting systems would eliminate dark zones at stations. The design includes audio emergency systems providing discrete assistance activation, addressing safety concerns that can affect women’s use of public transport, as highlighted in national discussions on urban mobility and social equity [7].

Proposed physical accessibility features include reduced grade separation accommodating elderly passengers and parents with strollers, while tactile guidance systems would assist visually impaired users. The design framework incorporates height-adjustable interfaces and large-print displays serving users with varying capabilities.

The proposed reservation system would implement priority handling for vulnerable users, while multilingual information systems would provide safety announcements in Arabic, French, and Berber languages. Community feedback mechanisms are designed to enable direct reporting of safety concerns to transport authorities.

5.3. Sustainability and Energy Considerations

The design framework aligns with Morocco’s National Energy Strategy and NDC commitments, such as the target to reduce overall GHG emissions by 45.5% by 2030 [8]. Smart pole installations would utilize locally manufactured solar panels optimized for Morocco’s climate conditions, while proposed smart charging for electric buses could integrate with renewable energy grid scheduling, aligning with national energy goals [7,8].

The design includes optimization algorithms with the potential to reduce empty vehicle kilometers and provide users with carbon footprint comparisons encouraging sustainable modal choices. Edge computing offers potential for reduced central processing energy consumption [14,15], while predictive maintenance may contribute to extending equipment lifecycle.

The proposed system is designed to contribute to reducing transport sector emission growth, supporting the country’s climate commitments [8]. Environmental monitoring capabilities are proposed to provide real-time tracking supporting NDC reporting requirements and system optimization.

5.4. Architecture Evaluation

Following Hevner’s DSR guidelines [17,18], we evaluate our proposed IoT architecture by demonstrating how it addresses the key challenges identified in Morocco’s urban mobility context. This evaluation validates the artifact’s design against the problem requirements rather than seeking empirical outcomes at this stage.

Problem-Solution Mapping: Our architecture directly addresses institutional capacity limitations through the Data Management Layer’s analytics platform designed to process high-volume sensor data, providing transport authorities with data-driven decision support tools [9]. The documented significant slowdowns in commercial speeds and congestion costs [6] are tackled through dynamic routing algorithms and real-time fleet management systems targeting improved on-time performance. Unlike existing frameworks that treat accessibility as supplementary, our architecture embeds inclusive design across all five layers with audio beacons, tactile maps, and WCAG 2.1 AA compliance. Environmental sustainability is addressed through solar-powered smart poles with the aim to reduce grid dependency and systems supporting the reduction in transport sector emissions, in line with national goals [8]. Post-COVID resilience is built through redundant communication paths and flexible reservation systems.

Design Validation: The architecture’s quality is validated through systematic integration of proven technologies (like MQTT for resource-constrained environments), adherence to international standards, and alignment with Morocco’s National Energy Strategy and GHG reduction targets [8]. The phased deployment strategy demonstrates practical utility by leveraging established institutional mechanisms and building incrementally on current BRT infrastructure investments, which are supported by initiatives like the Urban Transport Program [6], while maintaining feasibility within resource constraints.

• Implementation Summary and Research Implications

The design considerations outlined above—phased deployment, universal accessibility, and sustainability integration—demonstrate how IoT architectures can be systematically developed to address complex urban mobility challenges in developing nations. Our approach moves beyond traditional technology-focused solutions by embedding social equity and environmental responsibility as core architectural requirements rather than supplementary features. This comprehensive design framework enables us to assess the broader theoretical and practical contributions of our research, which we examine in the following section.

6. Contributions

Building on the design framework presented above, this research advances both theoretical understanding and practical implementation of IoT-driven urban mobility solutions. The systematic integration of accessibility, sustainability, and phased deployment strategies within our architecture enables several distinct contributions to the field. Below, we outline the specific contributions:

• Theoretical Contributions:
  • Integrated Accessibility Framework: Our architecture introduces a novel approach that embeds accessibility as a foundational design principle. This principle applies across all architectural layers: infrastructure, edge computing, data management, application services, and user interfaces. This contrasts with existing models that often treat accessibility as an add-on feature limited to user interfaces.
  • DSR Methodology in Socio-Technical Contexts: We show how Design Science Research can address challenges involving multiple stakeholders in developing nations [17,18]. The feedback process between stakeholders and technical components provides a model for balancing equity, efficiency, and sustainability.
  • Evaluation Metrics for Inclusive IoT Systems: We propose an evaluation framework combining traditional IoT performance measures with inclusivity metrics like accessibility compliance and user satisfaction among marginalized groups.
• Practical Contributions:
  • Deployment-Ready Blueprint: The architecture provides a modular, scalable implementation plan aligned with Morocco’s Urban Transport Program goals and investments [6]. Detailed specifications for components like solar-powered smart poles, wheelchair-accessible vehicle systems, and WCAG 2.1 AA-compliant interfaces enable immediate adoption by municipal authorities.
  • Phased Implementation Strategy: Our 18-month rollout plan described in the Design Considerations and Proposed Implementation Framework minimizes risk by prioritizing high-impact components (e.g., real-time passenger information systems) while progressively integrating advanced features (e.g., predictive maintenance algorithms). This approach leverages existing infrastructure investments and institutional capacity-building initiatives [6,19].
  • Policy and Procurement Guidance: The study offers actionable recommendations for updating procurement standards to include universal design requirements (e.g., tactile maps, audio beacons) and data privacy protocols tailored to Morocco’s regulatory landscape.
• Theoretical Validation in DSR

As a DSR artifact, this architecture is validated through its alignment with Morocco’s policy goals (e.g., 45.5% GHG reduction by 2030 [8]), technical feasibility in low-resource contexts (e.g., MQTT for lightweight communication [19]), and logical extensions of prior IoT frameworks [4]. While empirical testing is planned for future work, the design’s adherence to international standards (e.g., WCAG 2.1 AA) and phased deployment strategy ensure its theoretical soundness and readiness for pilot implementation.

7. Conclusions

This study introduces an IoT architecture aimed at tackling Morocco’s urban mobility challenges. The approach taken emphasizes inclusivity and sustainability. By applying Design Science Research [17,18], we developed a five-layer system that integrates smart infrastructure, edge computing, and accessible interfaces to improve service quality, reduce emissions, and empower vulnerable populations. Key innovations include two main elements. First, we integrate accessibility features across all layers, making them foundational rather than supplementary. Second, we developed a hybrid evaluation framework that measures both technical performance and social equity outcomes.

The architecture’s phased approach to deployment demonstrates alignment with Morocco’s Urban Transport Program [6], thereby providing a pathway that is pragmatic for cities to enhance mobility without imposing excessive resource demands. For instance, solar-powered smart poles and real-time analytics tools serve to address directly institutional capacity limitations [9] while simultaneously contributing toward Morocco’s renewable energy objectives and climate-related obligations [8].

8. Future Work

While this research provides a robust foundation, several avenues warrant further exploration:

• Expanding Geographic Scope: Adapting the architecture to smaller cities and rural areas, where infrastructure and user needs differ significantly from major urban centers, building on insights into sustainable transport in diverse developing world contexts [1].
• Long-Term Impact Studies: Monitoring the system’s performance over 3–5 years to assess sustainability gains, behavioral shifts in transport usage, and long-term cost–benefit ratios.
• Enhanced Accessibility Models: Developing AI-driven personalization tools (e.g., dynamic route adjustments for users with disabilities) and integrating augmented reality navigation aids.
• Policy Modernization: Collaborating with regulators to establish IoT-specific standards for data privacy, cross-agency data sharing, and inclusive design compliance.

As cities globally confront urbanization and climate pressures, this work underscores the potential of IoT to foster equitable, low-carbon mobility systems. By prioritizing inclusivity at the architectural level, we offer a replicable model for cities seeking to harmonize technological advancement with social equity—a critical imperative in an increasingly urbanized world.