Did you miss our first webinar? Read our recap or watch the recording!
As cities across Europe innovate their mobility systems, the SUM project stands at the forefront, bringing together shared and public transport solutions for a sustainable future. The recent webinar marked the beginning of SUM’s series on shared mobility, gathering experts who shared insights and best practices aimed at co-creating and implementing scalable and resilient mobility systems. The event, held online on 29 October, featured sessions on key methodologies and tools to support urban transitions toward cleaner, shared mobility.
Overview of SUM’s objectives
Lisa Hanselmann, SUM project coordinator, kicked off the webinar by outlining SUM’s ambitious objectives to make New Shared Mobility solutions viable alternatives to private cars. The project aims to enhance the operational competitiveness of NSM, boost adoption through improved infrastructure, and encourage public use with flexible pricing and integration with other transport modes. SUM’s commitment includes monitoring NSM usage and offering policy recommendations to ensure these solutions are practical and sustainable for city residents.
Innovative framework for impact assessment
Amalia Nikolopoulous from NTUA presented the Standardised Impact Evaluation Framework (SIEF), a pioneering tool developed by SUM to evaluate shared mobility initiatives. Using key performance indicators, SIEF tracks both the practical outcomes of shared mobility (such as travel time, costs, and safety) and public perceptions (like user satisfaction and affordability). This two-pronged approach provides cities with a comprehensive picture of both the physical and social impact of shared mobility initiatives, helping to shape future strategies.
The SUM project runs Living Labs across various cities, where surveys track citizens’ travel preferences and behaviours to gauge NSM acceptance. These surveys, conducted before and after mobility interventions, reveal evolving attitudes toward new transport solutions. Findings indicate a prevalent preference for private cars, though cities like Munich and Krakow show promising shifts towards shared mobility and public transport options. By analysing travel patterns and satisfaction levels, SUM identifies critical areas for improvement and adapts strategies to local contexts.
Evaluating public acceptance of shared mobility
Théa Cosnier from VEDECOM addressed SUM’s approach to measuring public acceptance of NSM services such as shared bikes and cars. This evaluation occurs in three stages: initial awareness, trial usage, and routine integration into daily life. SUM gathers feedback to understand what features of these services resonate with people, considering factors such as safety, convenience, and promotional offers. Initial results show that reliable information and opportunities to try services at discounted rates significantly encourage adoption. This feedback loop enables SUM to adapt services to user needs, ensuring they become a regular choice for urban mobility.
Collaborative co-creation of shared mobility solutions
Dr. Pontus Wallgren from CHALMERS University of Technolgy discussed how SUM emphasises co-creation, enabling cities and communities to jointly design mobility solutions that fit local needs. In cities like Fredrikstad, where autonomous ferries link communities to public transport, SUM facilitates workshops that bring together residents, city officials, and businesses to create tailored solutions. This inclusive approach fosters a sense of ownership among participants and ensures that proposed solutions are both practical and appealing to local users.
Supporting cities through an Open Data Platform
ERTICO‘s project manager Prisca Numbisi introduced the SUM Open Data Platform, a digital hub that provides cities with access to data, reports, and key performance metrics on shared mobility projects. Designed as a long-term resource, this platform enables cities to view dynamic reports and compare pre- and post-intervention data to measure NSM adoption and impact. By promoting transparency and data-sharing, SUM’s platform supports informed decision-making and fosters collaboration among cities.
Conclusion and upcoming events
The SUM webinar series is just beginning, with more sessions planned to explore additional facets of sustainable urban mobility. Future webinars will cover a variety of topics, from innovative technologies to community engagement strategies. Stay connected with SUM on social media for updates on upcoming webinars and events, and join the movement toward a greener, shared urban future.
