Follower Cities drive next phase of metaCCAZE
Image by Laurence Myers
Almost one year after metaCCAZE began, follower cities are starting to take an active role in the project, drawing from the successes of the project's trailblazer cities. Successful Use Cases, MetaInnovations, and MetaServices are set to be transferred, implemented and demonstrated in the 6 follower cities: Athens, Krakow, Gozo, Milan, Miskolc, and Poissy (Paris region). The approaches and technologies transferred to the follower cities will vary, taking into account differences in geography, existing urban structures, and current transport systems and mobility patterns. Ultimately, the results of these knowledge transfers will be analysed in conjunction with information from the data maps to develop targeted solutions for cities with overlapping characteristics.
Co-creation use cases in urban mobility
The representatives and supporters of each city have already started gathering data and performing co-creation sessions, the first of a series of activities. These sessions are intended to engage stakeholders and citizens involved in their respective Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) development to detect early barriers, needs, pains and gains.
The Use Cases may be divided into the categories of shared transport, automated transport, micromobility, and mobility hubs. In the category of shared transport, Athens will integrate a new fleet of e-buses into its existing bus system and will set up an e-charging network to accommodate this fleet, leveraging AI technology to optimise charging and scheduling.
Joined in this category, as well as with the implementation of automated modes of transport, Gozo will deploy an on-demand, automated e-shuttle service through several urban areas on the islands.
In the category of mobility hubs, Krakow will transform the newly built Kraków Grzegórzki inner city railway station into a multimodal hub which integrates e-cargo bikes, complete with facilities that will facilitate the delivery of parcels in the city central area.
In a similar vein, Poissy will expand its mobility hub and those of two cities (Carrières-sous-Poissy and Triel sur Seine) by developing a fully intelligent road which will be equipped with several connected vehicles and conventional electric vehicles, along with one automated vehicle.
Miskolc will focus on micromobility solutions by introducing e-scooters into the city's transport system. This will be achieved by placing scooters and docking stations at existing public transport stations, and by developing a trip-planning application which integrates these services.
Finally, Milan will test a concept that re-imagines what e-vehicle transport can look like by implementing an automated and on-demand transport system using modular mini e-vehicles. Thanks to autonomous docking capabilities, these e-pods can merge into a single, longer connected vehicle to enable users to easily switch pods when needed. This unique method should allow for greater versatility and efficiency of public transport as the same fleet may respond to a variety of functional, location-based, and capacity demands.
Cross-fertilisation: learning from contrasts
Each trailblazer city has been strategically matched with several follower cities to optimise the benefits of cross-fertilisation and transferability. The cities were matched based on both similar and contrasting geographic and climatic conditions, population densities, or attitudes towards different modes of transportation, among other factors. A prime example of this matching strategy is the joining of the island of Gozo with Tampere in the implementation of automated e-shuttle services, due to both facing climatic extremes, ensuring that cross-fertilisation activities will occur between the two locations.
By combining the strengths of diverse cities and leveraging their unique contexts, metaCCAZE is creating a blueprint for urban mobility that is both scalable and resilient. Together, the trailblazer and follower cities are shaping a smarter, more sustainable future for urban mobility; one that transcends borders, climates, and challenges.
Author: Laurence Myers (BABLE)
