Public safety and congestion in Latin American smart cities: A Grey Incidence Analysis

Everyday urban problems in Latin American cities, particularly those related to public safety and traffic congestion, have become increasingly relevant in debates on smart and sustainable urban development. This study investigates perception-based indicators of structural and technological aspects associated with more favorable perceptions regarding everyday urban problems in 12 Latin American cities, focusing on public safety and traffic congestion. The methodology employed Grey Incidence Analysis on indicators from the IMD Smart City Index 2025. The results reveal that more favorable perceptions regarding public safety are most strongly associated with lifelong learning opportunities offered by local institutions, followed by access to basic sanitation in poorer areas. In contrast, more favorable perceptions regarding traffic congestion are most strongly associated with satisfaction with public transport and the perceived contribution of ride-sharing apps to reducing congestion. Parking guidance apps and bike-sharing services show a comparatively weaker relational link to favorable perceptions regarding congestion. The study contributes to citizen-centric smart city research by showing that urban policies require problem-specific configurations: socially integrated structural interventions for public safety and coordinated transport infrastructure and digital mobility solutions for congestion.