SMARTA

17048

From 2018 to 2020

TML and partners investigated the deployment of smart mobility solutions in European rural areas and developed an evaluation plan for 14 pilot projects. TML documented the regulatory framework and good practices and made recommendations for a European rural mobility framework.

Rural areas have become heavily car dependent. This has an impact on the liveability of those areas and the quality of life of their inhabitants. Within SMARTA, we examined how to make better use of existing mobility policies and available smart mobility solutions in European rural areas. To this end, SMARTA first examined the existing framework for rural mobility in each of the EU countries. The project also studied and evaluated 14 pilot projects. On this basis, the consortium formulated a number of policy recommendations for the European Commission and gave recommendations to set up pilot projects.

The research translated into the following elements:

35 fiches (for all EU countries and some non-EU countries) on the regulatory framework (planning and organisation, management, and coordination) in which those countries organise their rural mobility.
32 fiches on good practices, including innovative forms of transport based on ridesharing for residents of rural areas, vulnerable social groups, visitors, and tourists.
12 descriptions and evaluations of pilot projects.
Policy recommendations for sustainable shared mobility and public transport in European rural areas.

The different partners collected the necessary information on the organisational frameworks in the different countries through literature research and targeted contacts with their networks. Information on the pilot projects was collected in the same way.

TML prepared a number of documents that provide more insight into the existing regulatory framework for rural transport in a number of countries. We also documented good practices in handy sheets. Finally, TML developed the evaluation plan for this project and was responsible for selecting and evaluating the pilot projects.

The consortium made several recommendations to the European Commission. The main recommendation is to oblige member states to develop a specific framework - including its financing - and to organise national mobility.