The networking of mobility systems and their participants leads to more sustainability. 

Here are two examples:  
Traffic lights that respond to real-time data have been shown to reduce waiting times by up to 40 % and increase traffic flow by up to 60 %. This reduces both consumption and CO2 emissions.
Apps on smartphones not only make it possible for users to share modes of transport in a meaningful way, but also make it easier to determine which mode(s) of transport is the best option to get from A to B at any given moment.

Within the European Union, transport is responsible for about 30% of all CO₂ emissions,60% of which are caused by car traffic alone. As a result, alternative, low-CO₂ fuels are receiving more and more support. 

Regardless of whether we are talking about electromobility, hydrogen, solar technology or hybrid engines: The often short distances in the city favour technologies with a (still) short range. 

The interaction of bicycle-friendly infrastructure, alternative means of transport such as e-bikes, e-scooters, non-fossil fuels and propulsion technologies ensures that noise pollution is reduced and air quality improved. 

This makes cities not only quieter, but also more liveable.

A ban on cars in the city centre is rather unrealistic. Studies show that people – if they have the option – prefer to travel by means of their own car. What is more likely to lead to a change in behaviour is the reduction of street and parking space for private cars. 

In exchange, however, car sharing & pooling offers, cycle paths and pavements must be expanded together with public transport. The slimming down of urban streets in favour of publicly usable (green) spaces, room for pedestrians, cycling, public transport, e-scooters, etc. is called Road Diet – and became particularly popular during the Corona crisis.

Data is the gold of the 21st century. In the context of intelligent traffic management, this comparison hits the mark. Because real-time data are indeed rich veins of gold in the networks of transport providers and users.

Want a few examples? Here are our Top 3:

• Example 1: On which roads are more cyclists than car drivers? If you have the relevant data, it is easier to set up cycle lanes and reroute traffic.

• Example 2: Major event in the city. Which vehicle is the fastest way to get from A to B? If all accessible modes of transport are linked and can be accessed via an app, the user can make decision quickly & easily.

• Example 3: Compliance with traffic regulations is also simplified by data-based algorithms. In California, an automated system monitors whether a driver travelling alone in a car sneaks into the "car pool lane" reserved for shared rides (min. 2 or 3 people in the car).

Not long ago, it was predicted that autonomous driving would be available within a few years. However, this has proven to be much more difficult than originally expected. However, the potential benefits remain: increased safety, improved efficiency and reduced environmental impact.

Automation is not coming as fast as expected, but it is coming in several steps:

Step 1:   assisted driving (e.g. parking or lane assist).
Step 2:  partially automated driving (hand remains on the handlebar)
Step 3:  highly automated driving (hands-free driving possible to a limited extent)
Step 4:  autonomous driving (vehicle drives independently)

In the near future, mobility will be a combination of shared mobility – based on MaaS – automation and electrification. Big Data, 5G and artificial intelligence will be the most important technologies.

Local conditions such as population density, climatic conditions, wealth, the state of the road and public transport infrastructure or the environmental and overall  traffic situation will determine which changes occur and how quickly.

New mobility is a collective term for many innovations around the topic of mobility in cities. These include concepts such as smart parking, micromobility, bikesharing, carsharing, ridehailing, ridesharing and many more.

Ridehailing is a service in which private drivers provide their vehicles and drive passengers from A to B. Well-known ride-hailing services include Uber and Lyft. Ridesharing is about carpooling, where people with similar destinations share a ride. Popular ridehailing services include Moia and Berlkönig.

Mobility hubs are already located at railway stations or airports, i.e. where many people arrive and travel. The idea behind this is that people can choose or book – ideally via a central app – what they will use to travel on: Whether e-bike, car sharing, e-scooter or rickshaw – a mobility hub brings together everything available at one point.

Small, quiet, electric? Cars that drive themselves? As hybrids? Much is speculation. Two things are certain:

1. As individual means of transport, cars will not simply disappear from the scene.
2. Internal combustion engines will be produced less in the future.

The ranges are getting longer and longer, the charging times shorter and shorter. But electric cars can only replace petrol and diesel vehicles if a comprehensive charging infrastructure is available. Many cities, municipalities and vehicle manufacturers are working on this.