Cities need to make transport more reliable and sustainable. For example, double parking caused by delivery vehicles is one of the main negative impacts of the upturn in last-mile deliveries, generating conflicts with pedestrians, cyclists, public transport and emergency vehicles. Innovative measures are needed to help cities reduce congestion and trips; achieve sustainable mobility goals; improve delivery efficiency; anticipate new technologies; and, potentially increase revenue. In the new concept of Shared-Use Mixed Zones (SUM Zones), parking management, urban vehicle access regulation and freight management are integrated and combined with flexible curbside management concepts.

Following this vision, FlexCURB focuses on improving urban logistics by enabling sectoral collaboration and tailors tools to improving the way city logistics are currently understood, coordinated, and regulated. The project partners will deliver innovations, in the form of two marketable products:

1. The FlexCURB Planning platform
2. The FlexCURB Driver App

With the FlexCURB Planning Platform as the interface, the public sector partners will be able to:

• implement dynamic traffic regulations to meet the demands of an ever-changing network. Underutilised spaces would be freed up for freight to mitigate congestion;
• pilot a suite of technologies to monitor the live and historical usage of parking assets;
• connect logistics APIs, share curbside and traffic restrictions, reduce network disruption and solve conflicts with vulnerable road user.

The FlexCURB Driver App, will provide freight partners with:

• up-to-date information about parking rules and curb regulations;
• access to delivery locations by planning freight movements based on location of loading areas;
• curb reporting and insights.

RideSafeUM was born in 2022 to make micromobility safer, encourage increased ridership of what have become key modes for the future of our mobility systems, and collect data on micromobility trips and crashes as a great source to nurture decision-making.

Using innovative technology, RideSafeUM brings micromobility safety benefits to users, public authorities, shared service operators and last-mile logistic companies using micromobility modes. This technology is based on artificial intelligence, proactively preventing micromobility incompliances and accidents, and gathers data for wider learning, policy-making and management purposes.

The RideSafeUM solution is based on the integration of computer-vision software, with support from cameras, GPS and accelerometers supported either by users’ smartphones or through integrated equipment in the vehicle hardware. In addition, a dashboard or central system enables authorities or last-mile logistic operators to implement regulations or restrictions and to identify and dynamically manage micromobility safety issues.

Real-time information of regulations is displayed to the user on their phones as they ride via the app or the operator’s front-end, depending on the type of vehicle they are riding, the automatically detected infrastructure type, and the geofenced restrictions introduced in the dashboard. Anonymised data of incompliances is collected and sent to the dashboard, where statistics are built up. Additionally, alerts are sent to the dashboard if an accident occurs, using a black-box function.

Anonymised data on incompliances and accidents helps to build informed decisions about traffic management regulations, the use of public space and internal operational decisions in case of private operators.

IMMENSE proposes the creation of a Transport Demand Management (TDM) tool which is able to dynamically influence traffic demand on road and parking ecosystems depending on congestion levels. By using a dynamic rate system with game design elements or “gamification” (such as automatically rewarding users with points for reducing travel time along congested routes if they choose an alternative one), the IMMENSE solution discourages users to access congested roads and parking areas at times where high demand occurs. This way, pollution and congestion levels will be reduced when it is most needed, also improving safety and helping the quality of life in surrounding areas. Moreover, users who access cities by more sustainable modes will get rewarded with discounts on active and greener solutions.

Two project pilots are being run in cities chosen for their differing sizes and consolidation levels of TDM schemes including Low Emission Zones (LEZ) and vehicle access regulations. Esplugues de Llobregat has around 50,000 inhabitants and an implemented LEZ together with the neighbouring city of Barcelona, but lacks charging regulations. Munich has a population of 1,5 million as well as a LEZ with a city ring connection but lacks accurate enforcement systems and charging regulations.

Whilst urban centres enjoy an effective and seamless multimodal public transport system, for many peri-urban and rural areas public transport bus services remain the key form of transport providing mobility and connection to essential services such as education, employment, healthcare, fresh food and leisure – and transport hubs.

In such areas with low population density, citizens either have access to a limited and infrequent public bus service or no access at all, leaving little or no alternative to private vehicles. However, for others without private vehicle access the only alternative is active mobility. Depending on the geography and the age or health of the community in question, the latter option is often not a valid alternative. These collectives therefore fall completely off the mobility grid.

Digital Bus aims to close the current digital gap observed by small and mid-sized operators often, but not exclusively, running services in rural areas. Currently a rudimentary manual booking and info system prevails with inefficient data, poor management and impoverished user service due to a lack of information and transparency. Digital Bus will demonstrate the benefits for public transport operators and end-users alike. The main features of the solutions are:

• improved information and accessibility for users;
• safety-related issues, including increased number of stops for night bus routes that can be managed by the digital on-demand platform;
• enhanced efficiency for operators, including improved fleet management;
• improved data collection for improved efficiency of service including fuel, length of trip and to improve the concept of public transport as a quality service, creating a knowledge centre exploring user insights and cognitive behaviour.

While urbanisation and populations in urban areas increase, decarbonising cities becomes a harder challenge. In this context, as an unprecedented amount of urban traffic pollutants are generated in cities, IMAGINEXT validates a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution that utilises artificial intelligence (AI) to learn how specific mobility strategies and sustainable transport measures impact on air quality.

IMAGINEXT SaaS is being validated in two cities so that the AI can start receiving information and learning based on the size and density of each city. IMAGINEXT aims to accelerate market opportunities for mobility decision-makers with the potential of implementing sustainable transport solutions that are known to be effective in improving city air quality, based on evidenced cases incorporated in the SaaS and extrapolated to bespoke uses through the use of AI.

EV Charging From Lampposts will deploy and test electric-vehicle (EV) charging stations developed by the start-up SimpleCharge. These charging stations can be easily integrated into the infrastructure of street lampposts. The charging solution will be tested in several cities in Europe, focusing on providing electric vehicle charging solutions in residential areas where there are few such charging options. The multiple newly equipped lampposts with electric-vehicle charging stations in the cities will have multiple positive impacts on the economy, local environment and social aspects. The project outcome will validate and commercialise on-street electric vehicle charging infrastructure in emerging markets where electric vehicle uptake is on the rise.

E-bikes over emerged as a comprehensive transport option to replace more motorised forms of transport because they are speedier and easier to ride than conventional bikes. However, it is not always the most comfortable or convenient option; for instance, standard e-bikes may not be the most suitable option for employee’s movement during working hours when the weather is adverse. Hopper is a perfect solution for overcoming some of the constraints attached to the use of E-bikes. Hopper is a car-like E-bike, compact, agile, flexible, and easy to park and charge. NEDAM aims to offer entities the opportunity to test Hopper and its booking platform. This product and platform will not only promote sustainability, but also convenience. Its car-like design provides higher potential for Hopper to target car users rather than simply  typical E-bike users. This solution is being validated in three cities and the results of the pilots reveal its potential to substitute employees’ car journeys in numerous different contexts.

In REACTIVITY’s vision, smart, sustainable cities should achieve a car-free environment within urban areas and zero-emissions by 2050.

The REACTIVITY project rewards public transport and active mobility to reduce emissions; backs data-driven urban; and traffic planning and engaging with citizens, thus helping cities to promote sustainable mobility, as well as intermodality, all while discouraging car dependence.

This project meets the needs of city managers for digital tools to enable urban multi-modal and multi-source mobility planning providing a solution to support intermodal transport, including public transport, cycling, walking, kick-scooters, and car-pooling. The mobility monitoring support is realised through an active mobility plugin integrated in a multi-data source web dashboard.

The solutions will be implemented and tested in Braga (Portugal) and Lecce (Italy) during the second half of 2023. The expected outcomes of REACTIVITY are an increased share of public transport (+6%) and active mobility (+ 15%) and the reduction of kilometres driven by private cars (-2.5 M) and of CO2 emissions (-320 tons) in each city.

Public transport is a crucial aspect of urban mobility, allowing people to commute, socialise, and explore their cities safely and cost-effectively. However, overcrowding, limited digitalisation, outdated reporting mechanisms and decreased perceived safety due to the pandemic, have discouraged its use. This has resulted in decreased use of public transport and missed opportunities for multimodal mobility, traffic reduction, and citizen feedback.

To address these issues, the project aims to create a human-centric public transport system that promotes passenger safety, encourages support for fellow travellers, and collects feedback to improve the services and urban environment. The project is deploying a socio-technical tool that connects passengers both online and offline and enables issue reporting in the urban environment, enhancing trust through a rating system. The tool uses real-time localisation algorithms, open transportation data, and minimal personal data collection.

The cities of Istanbul (Turkey) and Dugopolje (Croatia) are partnering with the project to improve their transportation services and urban environments. In Istanbul, the project will pilot a historic peninsula targeting visitors to support their transportation experience and digitise the current feedback mechanisms. In Dugopolje, the project aims to increase connectivity between passengers in the suburban metropolitan area of Split. The tool enables passengers to search for fellow passengers using demographic and other criteria.

The Technical University of Berlin manages the project and explores different business development options by leveraging their partners and associated networks, including the European Passenger and Women’s Rights Associations, to disseminate the results. The Centre for Research & Technology Hellas assesses transportation networks and service models for the demonstration cities and support survey design and result transferability. Meanwhile, WizGo, as the technology provider tests and co-designs the surveys, as well as manages data analysis. The company also conducts technology and marketing research for local transportation apps.

sCOOL2walk aims to get families walking to school. The project matches people together to share their walk to and from school. The benefits are many. Traffic congestion and pollution around schools is reduced and fewer vehicles also means safer streets. Families become more active and children gain a greater feeling of independence and awareness of their surroundings. Communities are strengthened by greater interaction and more usable streets..

TACTIC is creating an innovative solution that brings economic, environmental and social value to the last-mile logistics business, involving different stakeholders in the local commerce logistics chain. The solution consists of connecting local commerce, green logistics services and the end user through the development and integration of the following services and products:
• e-vehicle sharing app: app that connects local commerce (B2B) and citizens (B2C) with zero-emission vehicles for logistics purposes.
• green logistics operation: use of cargo bikes and e-vans for last-mile delivery.
• marketplace for local commerce: technology integration between an e-commerce marketplace platform and sustainable delivery service providers to offer local market users access to delivery services in sustainable vehicles.
The combination of these products will enable the development of a solution that enhances local commerce and competitiveness while promoting greener, safer, and cleaner mobility.
TACTIC is led by Factual, developed by Hermeneus World, Vanapedal and Clem-e in two living labs: Barcelona City Council and the Métropole du Grand Paris.

Urban logistics management urgently needs to evolve. Congestion, pollution and the increasing pressure on space in inner cities are becoming critical. For cities this means managing scarce public space in a sustainable and efficient way. For logistics, this means going from ‘first come first serve’ and a ‘jungle’ to booking guaranteed spaces and ‘pay per use’.

The project will co-create with carriers, cities and citizens, offering clear incentives and engagement. The project will pilot an innovative scalable platform for bookable loading zones. Pricing, incentives and enforcement will directly result in a better use of loading zones, more efficient logistics, including a 20% reduction in kilometres driven and an incentive for clean and safe transport. The pilot uses live (camera) monitoring, analytics, algorithms and co-creation to improve the current system.