Virtual Mobility LAB: modelling transport in the first ring of Barcelona

CARNET presented the Virtual Mobility Lab (VML) as part of the Smart City Expo World Congress 2017 on the SEAT stand in the Mobility Hub, and on the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) stand. The aim of VML is to develop new tools for urban planning. It has been defined as ‘strategic’ by the CARNET Partners, due to inLab FIB’s proven experience in traffic simulation and cities’ growing need for new simulation tools to implement new mobility solutions for citizens.

VML can analyse and assess the impact of smart mobility projects in Barcelona, and the results can be extrapolated before the implementation of a pilot test. In one of the first tests, the Virtual Mobility Lab showed that the number of private vehicles on the streets of Barcelona could be reduced to 2000 vehicles with the use of 500 on-demand shuttles, which would lead to a considerable improvement in traffic in the city and a reduction in pollution levels.

As part of the Virtual Mobility Lab (VML) project, inLab FIB UPC has generated the first in-depth multimodal model of Barcelona Metropolitan Area, which includes both the offering of all public transport modes, as well as private vehicles and the updated demand for mobility. The new model will support those who make decisions on mobility policies, transport operators and new companies that are developing mobility alternatives and wish to assess them.

In addition, inLab FIB has participated in the development of VML Volkswagen Research Group, SEAT, PTV Group and Kineo.