Our Theory of Change

The climate crisis and persistent inequality are reinforced by car-centric transportation systems that prioritize vehicles over people. Changing such a complex system requires a systems-change approach—no single solution or actor can shift it alone.

Across the country, “change leaders”—community members, agency staff, advocates, planners, engineers, and more—are advancing policy, funding, infrastructure, technology, and services that support people-centered mobility. Each lever matters, but it’s their combined and connected efforts that create meaningful system-wide change.

SUMC helps shift systems by multiplying the effect of individual actions to accelerate the possibility of change. Through research, practical tools, peer learning, and convenings, we equip change leaders with the knowledge, resources, and networks they need to transform mobility systems at scale.

Our Unique Approach

1. Deepen and Share Knowledge: Applied Research That Drives Real-World Impact

SUMC conducts practitioner-informed, outcomes-focused research that equips communities to implement more equitable and effective mobility solutions. As practitioners ourselves, we understand that meaningful research goes beyond metrics—it must show how systems shape lived experiences, from job access and health outcomes to community resilience.

Our research centers people first. Through case studies, program evaluations, and easy-to-use tools and learning modules, we capture local voices and translate complex findings into actionable insights that empower public agencies, nonprofits, and local leaders to make informed, value based decisions. We specialize in research methods including persona development, interviewing and focus groups, surveying, and data visualization.

We’ve conducted original research for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Transportation Research Board (TRB), and a wide range of public, private, and nonprofit clients. To ensure these insights reach the field, we leverage several high-impact dissemination platforms:

• The Mobility Learning Center, the nation’s largest mobility research clearinghouse, with over 30,000 users and 1,500+ free resources.
• The Mobility Hub Newsletter, delivered bi-weekly to 18,000+ subscribers.
• Social media channels, including a LinkedIn engagement rate of over 8%—more than double the sector average.
• And frequent convenings, webinars, and events that foster dialogue, learning, and sector-wide collaboration.

2. Equip & Empower Communities: Building Capacity through Partnership

Over the past decade, SUMC has partnered with more than 150 communities across the U.S., delivering tools, training, consulting, and tailored technical assistance that help local leaders drive equitable and sustainable mobility solutions. Our expertise spans community engagement, needs assessments, strategic planning, procurement support, GIS analysis, and more—all grounded in a commitment to inclusive, community-centered innovation. With experience in over 80 historically underserved communities, we prioritize cultural competency, local context, and trust-building.

We approach this work through a collaborative, network-based model that brings together key stakeholders around shared values and long-term goals. By creating a structure for ongoing alignment, we help ensure that programs endure beyond our involvement. When possible, we implement a cohort-based learning model that connects peer communities by geography or project focus, encouraging knowledge-sharing and cross-sector support.

SUMC has been a trusted partner of the Federal Transit Administration’s last eight years and three rounds of mobility innovation grantees, providing technical assistance to over 65 grantees. We are the co-administrator of the innovative California Clean Mobility Options program, supporting over 70 awardees, totaling $66.4M, in historically disadvantaged communities on behalf of the California Air Resources Board.

3. Mobilize the Sector: Accelerating Connections through Innovative Convenings

SUMC understands that successful shared mobility programs and an ecosystem of mobility options requires building alignment, cohesion, and trust between multiple stakeholders. The coordination requires deep partnerships across teams, agencies, companies, and sectors at local, metropolitan, and regional levels.

SUMC excels in building the connective tissue that makes this possible. We facilitate cross-sector partnerships and bring together public agencies, private mobility providers, community organizations, and other stakeholders to co-create shared goals and lasting relationships.

We bring our technical expertise to panels and our expert facilitation to identify shared priorities, and move from dialogue to action. We host the National Shared Mobility Summit, the annual California Clean Mobility Options, and regular program workshops and webinars. Our role as a trusted, neutral convenor allows us to hold space for complex conversations while keeping equity, access, and local context at the forefront.