Hungary-Szombathely: Demand-driven mobility design

How can we incorporate the preferences of citizens and urban stakeholders into the decision-making process for city mobility?

Current Situation:

• Locals perceive public transport as slower than using passenger cars, leading to longer journey times and waiting periods.
• There is a need to harmonize diverse public and service needs, with a lack of demand-driven transport solutions to improve overall satisfaction with transportation options.
• A significant portion of people find transport problematic, especially for distances ranging from 5 to 10 km.
• Mobile phone usage is prevalent, presenting an opportunity for mobile-based data collection to monitor user needs.
• Understanding the requirements of various resident groups and stakeholders involved in transportation can help integrate user demands into decision-making processes.
• Despite 87% of residents considering the traffic situation crucial in Szombathely, only 1% are entirely content with the city's transportation services.

Expected Future Situation:

• The development of demand-driven transport design to address various niche needs, such as school bus services, bus access to shopping malls, direct public transport connections to P+R parking spaces and workplaces, night bus services, party bus services, and accessibility solutions.
• The primary goal is to increase trust in alternative means of transport.
• The project aims to enhance urban transport comprehensively, leading to reduced waiting and travel times, alleviating travel congestion, and shaping public attitudes toward achieving sustainable transport goals.
• Creating an intelligent transport ecosystem to optimize mobility options.
• Encouraging sustainable decisions and behaviors among road users.
• By incorporating citizen preferences and addressing their diverse mobility needs, the envisioned outcome is a more efficient, accessible, and sustainable transport system in Szombathely.

Benefits for Participating Innovative Companies:

• Gain entrepreneurial knowledge and real-life market feedback.
• Develop user experience and product market fit.
• Engage in workshops with city decision-makers and have an impact on regulations.
• Access city traffic databases for testing market fit.
• Opportunity to pitch for a budget to pilot their solutions.
• Possibility of involving business angels for co-funding.

Published on 01 August 2023.