Project Purpose and Description
SPINE adopts an equity-centered design thinking approach, spearheading the transition towards a more efficient, sustainable, resilient, and inclusive public transport system. A network of collaborative Living Labs (LLs) is established to facilitate transferability, with a focus on understanding the diverse needs of transport system users. Four Lead City LLs in Antwerp, Bologna, Tallinn, and Las Palmas will serve as hubs for co-creation activities, engaging multiple stakeholders in the development and demonstration of innovative mobility solutions. These solutions aim to be efficient, replicable, and socially acceptable, building upon existing assets.
The SPINE approach encompasses the development of innovative simulation and Digital Twinning tools, complemented by open data and behavioral models. These tools will enable the creation of scenarios integrating various mobility interventions and supporting policies, with a focus on identifying and implementing the most promising solutions. Data-driven impact assessment models will support the twinning, transferability, and adaptation of successful solutions from the four Living Labs to seven Twinning Cities: Barreiro, Valladolid, Zilina, Sibenik, Hrakleion, Gdynia, and Rouen. SPINE’s ambitious plan includes the co-design and implementation of 55 smart, green, and inclusive mobility solutions.
Objectives and Outcomes
SPINE’s overarching vision encompasses six challenging objectives aimed at revolutionizing mobility solutions across urban, suburban, and peri-urban environments. These objectives focus on analyzing the physical and functional structures, natural landscapes, and public spaces where public transport systems operate. The goal is to define innovative strategies and approaches that are both impactful and inclusive, fostering co-creation and co-management of affordable and resilient mobility solutions. Through Living Labs (LLs), SPINE will prototype, test, and evaluate these solutions, engaging local ecosystem actors to ensure collaborative development. Demonstrations will be thoroughly documented, with risks and trade-offs assessed to ensure effectiveness.
SPINE also prioritizes the integration of digital tools to facilitate deployment, including Digital Twins, AI, and data-driven decision-making systems. Beyond LLs, SPINE will deploy and evaluate solutions in Twinning Cities, showcasing adaptability and replicability. Additionally, the project emphasizes dissemination and up-scaling of solutions, fostering cross-pollination activities across European cities. Finally, SPINE seeks to influence European transport policy by aligning outcomes with advancements in mobility planning, contributing to Sustainable Urban Mobility/Logistics Plans. Through these initiatives, SPINE aims to shape a future of sustainable and inclusive transportation systems, paving the way for transformative change across Europe.
