German transportation software developer PTV Group is modeling Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) systems as part of a European project to create a fully integrated multimodal transport network.
The three-year RegioMOVE research project has been commissioned by the Karlsruhe Verkehrsverbund (KVV) and funded by the German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg and the European Fund for Regional development (EFRE), with a budget of around €5m (US$5.8m). Regional partners will jointly develop a new mobility concept that combines different mobility services to ensure easier access to transport. As one of the project partners, PTV will model MaaS offerings, evaluate new operating strategies such as ride pooling, provide the technology for the multimodal information system, and plan the design of novel mobility stations.
The project aims to lay the foundation for the development of a multimodal network using Mobility on Demand-driven transport services. Actual transport demand from end users becomes the pivotal issue when developing appropriate mobility schemes, so as well as the traditional modes of transport, such as walking, cycling and motorized private and public transport, MaaS concepts will also include car- and bike-sharing, as well as ride-pooling services. The RegioMOVE project will analyze all these services from the road users’ point of view, with the aim of understanding the impact of mobility stations and services on infrastructure, traffic and transport.
To obtain the operational data on vehicle fleets required for the implementation of innovative and climate-friendly service concepts, system- and service-related specifications, such as maximum waiting times, detours and pick-up/drop-off concepts, will be collated, and a transport model will be used to simulate these concepts, including intermodal routes. PTV’s mobility experts will help design new mobility stations, known as ‘ports’, and provide the basic technology for a comprehensive, multimodal travel-information system. The model- and planning-based tasks of PTV’s Port work package will be executed in partnership with Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT).
“Mobility solutions should be easily consumed as a service,” explained Vincent Kobesen, CEO of PTV Group. “We are all excited about being part of this flagship project of the Karlsruhe Technology Region, and are looking forward to shaping future mobility with our newly developed software for MaaS systems.”
Dr Alexander Pischon, KVV’s managing director, added, “The mobility services, which should be made available in the near future through RegioMOVE, represent real added value for passengers using our transport network. RegioMOVE will allow us to combine different mobility options comfortably from a single source.”
