This puts it well ahead of major national and international competitors including Birmingham (38th), Manchester (35th), Barcelona (21st) and Milan (18th).

The results are according to the Arcadis Sustainable Cities Mobility Index, which ranks 100 of the world’s leading cities according to the three pillars of transport sustainability.

People (reflecting quality of life through factors including accessibility, connectivity and uptake of active options such as walking or cycling); Planet (capturing green factors, including congestion, pollution and emissions); and Profit (reflecting public finance, affordability and economic opportunity).

Although there is no magic recipe for the creation of an effective urban transport system, higher ranking cities have a better balance across the three pillars. Edinburgh – which sits in 17th place globally – has the safest transport network and boasts some of the best commuting times and least delays in Europe. It also has some of the highest density of bus and metro stops, making it one of the leading cities in Europe for the accessibility of its transport services.

However there is still room for improvement. Despite its accessibility, Edinburgh’s transport system is the most under-utilised in the UK. With such a relatively low number of trips being made via public transport, far more needs to be done to encourage people away from private vehicle usage and towards considering alternative options. In this respect, Edinburgh would also benefit from offering more active transport solutions, for example by improving cycling infrastructure and increasing the provision of pedestrian areas.

Graham Hill, Arcadis City Executive for Edinburgh, said: “We are undoubtedly getting a lot right in Edinburgh, but the city cannot afford to be complacent. A truly sustainable transport system isn’t just about enabling mobility; it also needs to create major economic opportunity and job growth, and improve the lives of those who rely on it every day. We need to make sure Edinburgh lives up to its potential.

“New plans drawn up by city leaders, including updating ageing infrastructure and extending the recently completed tram line, will go a long way towards building a truly world-class, integrated transport system. This will help to instil wider confidence and encourage more passengers to use the network. Combining and integrating this with new and improved pedestrian areas and segregated cycle routes will make a major difference for people getting around Edinburgh.

“As our population continues to grow and the City Deal stimulates the creation of tens of thousands of new homes, it is essential that planning and design is approached with the resident’s mobility front of mind. Making the most of what it has and actively embracing opportunities for transport improvement is ultimately how Edinburgh is going to stand out on the international stage.”

UK city rankings

The top ten global cities in the Index are: