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Seville and Hannover have today joined a pioneering research project designed to accelerate sustainable urban transport planning across Europe.
Both cities will work with the Sustainable Urban Transitions Lab, an initiative set up by leading academics at ETH Zurich and supported by shared mobility operator Bolt, to conduct comprehensive studies of modern travel trends and enhance planned investments in public transport and mobility hubs.
Seville, the fourth largest city in Spain and an urban mobility trailblazer, will work with the Lab research team to optimise plans to extend mass transit infrastructure – including additional metro lines, trams and rapid bus transit. The project will run simulation modelling analysing how to balance technical feasibility, cost-effectiveness and ensure that new services interlink seamlessly with active and shared modes.
Hannover, a city with an ambitious ‘Transport Transition Action Programme’, will work with the Lab research team to evaluate transit expansion and optimize multimodal planning. The Lab and city teams will work on a comprehensive study of current travel trends to optimize the deployment of mobility hubs that will connect local public transport, shared mobility, and the regional train network.
Bolt’s data will play a key role in both projects; 47% of Bolt scooter journeys across Europe currently connect directly with public transit journeys, and a further 20% of ride-hailing journeys currently have no public transit alternative, showing the role of rapidly growing shared mobility services in connecting up city transport networks and giving alternatives to personal car use.
Jevgeni Kabanov, president of Bolt said: “As the leading shared mobility operator in Europe, we believe we have a responsibility to use our data and operations to improve the wider transport system. Both Seville and Hannover have a vision for a more sustainable, resilient city for its people and we are excited to be part of it, providing expertise, data and funding”.
Both projects will provide vital support to the Cities’ Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs), which are now required from the 431 urban nodes on the trans-European transport network (TEN-T Network).
About ETH Zurich
At ETH Zurich, students discover an ideal environment for independent thinking, researchers a climate which inspires top performance. Situated in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, ETH Zurich is pioneering effective solutions to the global challenges of today and tomorrow.
Professor Bryan Adey, Professor of Infrastructure Management at ETH Zurich said: “The continuous improvement of our built environment requires the adaptation of our infrastructure and its use. To ensure that this is done in a way that maximises net benefits, it is necessary to consider the costs and benefits of adaptation, as well as the deep uncertainties associated with the changing needs of society and the changing environment. The Sustainable Urban Transitions Lab provides an excellent opportunity to translate cutting-edge research in this area into concrete proposals for cities seeking to improve urban mobility for their inhabitants.”
Professor Eva Heinen, Professor of Transportation and Mobility Planning at ETH Zurich: “A well-functioning urban mobility system can have many advantages. This includes improved quality of life, economic growth, and improved accessibility. The mobility systems in cities are changing continuously. To ensure this happens while maintaining or improving safety, livability and social inclusion is important. The Sustainable Urban Transitions Lab provides an excellent opportunity to conduct research, understand what is happening, and to develop solutions to improve mobility for people in cities”.
