Experimenting with living streets to train urban mobility (EX-TRA). (EX-TRA)

Across Europe, cities are trying to radically reduce their dependence on car mobility in order to address a range of sustainability challenges. However, two major shortcomings are hampering these efforts towards a 'post-car' city: first, there is a lack of a proactive vision of cities that are not only sustainable but also accessible without a car, and second, there is a lack of effective strategies to deal with strong in-built systemic resistance to changing the status quo. This project will generate knowledge to address these shortcomings. Central to EX-TRA's approach are transition experiments in urban streets, or 'intentional, temporary changes in street use, regulation and/or form, aimed at exploring systemic change towards a 'post-car' city'. Through urban living labs in Amsterdam, Bologna, Milan, Ghent, Munich and London, we will generate insights into: (1) possible combinations of physical design and regulation that increase the types of use and inclusiveness among users of city streets; (2) transport and land use conditions to enable and improve walking and cycling accessibility in city neighbourhoods; (3) shared mobility platforms and options for micro-mobility and freight transport that complement attractive streets and accessible neighbourhoods; and (4) change strategies that can accelerate the transition towards a 'post-car' city. Specifically, UGent will develop an Agent-Based Model (ABM), for which travel diary data is a primary source. UGent focuses on 3 tasks. Task 1: Development of computational methodology Development of an 'Alternative Mobility Options Open Online Expert Tool', a combination of data analysis and simulation to assess the mobility and accessibility effects of shared mobility platforms, micro mobility and freight transport solutions. An Agent-Based Model (ABM - see e.g. Dlugosch et al., 2020) will be developed, using open-source software (e.g. Multi-Agent Transport Simulation) and a modified Python-based ABM. A first version will be developed in month 10 for application in task 2. The impact of the experiments in the testbeds will validate and help refine the methodology. UGent will develop the methodology, with input from other academic partners that are part of the EX-TRA consortium Task 2: Application of the computational methodology Use of the methodology developed in task 1 to simulate the impact of shared mobility platforms and solutions for micro-mobility and freight delivery in the testbed locations on (i) travel behaviour and use of public space, and (ii) access to neighbourhood opportunities for different users. Simulation results will be used to inform the design of street experiments and accompanying measures in the testbeds. Application by UGent, in collaboration with local academic partners Task 3: Guideline development Based on the findings in task 2, policy guidelines will be developed in workshops with local stakeholders (city of Ghent, others). A special focus will be on how shared mobility platforms and solutions for micro-mobility and freight delivery can expand access to services (e.g. health, education, retail, public transport hubs) for different user groups and thus improve socially sustainable development and gender-sensitive mobility planning. Cooperation agreement between the City of Ghent and UGent regarding data exchange of the 2018 mobility survey. 5/6 Local partners will organise workshops to develop the guidelines with local stakeholders. UGent will collect and integrate the results.