Getting creative with urban transport solutions
The EU-funded project 'New and innovative concepts for helping European transport sustainability - towards implementation' (Niches+) built on the work of the earlier Niches project, focusing on different topics of innovative urban transport. Aiming to engage a cross-sectoral and multidisciplinary range of stakeholders across the EU, this successor initiative worked to promote the most promising new urban transport projects and concepts to a mainstream urban transport application. Project researchers considered the particular needs and expectations of prospective users and implementers. They worked with local and regional authorities to develop implementation scenarios for introducing innovative concepts to existing policies of urban transport. To this end, emphasis was placed on four topical themes and corresponding innovative concepts: increased accessibility to urban mobility options, increased use and efficiency of infrastructure and interchanges, exploiting functionalities of urban traffic management centres, and automated and space-efficient transport. A working group of experts was set up in each thematic area to share expertise and facilitate networking activities. Seven champion cities and innovative concepts were chosen for work on implementation scenarios, which were pegged to address issues related to the actual roll-out of transport measures. The needs and expectations of potential users and implementers were studied, and the transferability of innovative concepts was reviewed. Guidelines for implementers, and research and policy recommendations were also developed. Such efforts in the area of urban transport have the potential to effect positive change for a better quality of life for residents of Europe's cities.
