Italian Stakeholders met in Rome discussing EMBRACER topics

The third Italian Regional Stakeholder Meeting of the EMBRACER project, co-organised by TTS Italia and the Metropolitan City of Cagliari, took place on July 12, 2024 in Rome, Italy, at TTS Italia premises.
This important event brought together key stakeholders to discuss progress, share updates, and explore innovative solutions for integrated mobility services bridging connectivity gaps between urban and lower-density communities.
The meeting facilitated knowledge exchange, fostered collaboration, and gathered valuable input from stakeholders to guide the future directions of the EMBRACER project, serving as a platform for discussing the latest advancements, sharing experiences, and exploring innovative solutions for improving regional mobility.

inBlenda/TTS Italia chaired the meeting starting with facilitating a round-table of participant introductions and presenting a high-level overview of the Interreg Europe programme along with the pivotal role of European territorial cooperation in solving today’s mobility challenges. A comprehensive overview on the current state of the EMBRACER project was given, outlining key challenges, objectives and scope of work, progress updates, and ongoing activities. Key insights and lessons learnt from the Exchange of Experience events were shared, which were organized by TTS Italia and the Metropolitan City of Cagliari in Rome in December 2023, as well as previously by other project partners. The importance of defining Good Practices within the project and encouraged stakeholders to contribute relevant examples based on their experiences was emphasized.

The Metropolitan City of Cagliari focused on SUMP and the Plan for Minimum Transport Services to optimize local public transport.

Maurizio Pelosi, from Tiemme, a public transport operator from Tuscany region, shared two good practices for mobility management in low-density areas.

Guido Rodia, from UnicoCampania, discussed the evolution and experience of UnicoCampania transitioning from tariff integration to MaaS.

Kirill Cholovsky, from GreenShare, presented two apps designed for sustainable mobility: Clacsoon and TESEO.

After the presentations, an in-depth discussion followed, with participants reaching a consensus on several key points regarding the challenges and strategies for reducing private vehicle use, particularly in low-density areas.

Participants acknowledged that completely avoiding private vehicle use is particularly difficult in low-density areas where public transportation options may be limited. However, they emphasized that substantial efforts can be made through the integration of services and systems, as well as promoting shared mobility solutions to reduce environmental impact.

The group agreed that discouraging private vehicle use should be based on a thorough analysis of mobility demand. This analysis is crucial for understanding the actual transportation needs of the population and identifying viable alternatives. 

One of the most significant challenges identified is the need to change established habits. Many individuals are not aware of, or do not perceive, the available alternatives to private vehicle use. Changing these habits requires not only the introduction of new mobility options but also effective communication and education to raise awareness about these alternatives.

The discussion highlighted the importance of focusing on two main demographic groups: students and retirees. These groups are more likely to be open to changing their mobility habits and can significantly benefit from alternative transportation options. Initiatives targeting these groups can help reduce the overall reliance on private vehicles and promote the use of shared or public transportation.

A key point emphasized during the discussion was the importance of collaboration between local entities, especially in smaller areas. Effective cooperation among municipalities, transport operators, and other stakeholders is essential for the successful implementation of integrated mobility solutions. This collaboration can lead to more coordinated and efficient transportation systems that better serve the community's needs.

Participants discussed various strategies to integrate and share services, aiming for a lower environmental impact. These strategies include developing interoperable ticketing systems, enhancing multimodal transport options, and creating seamless connections between different modes of transport. By focusing on these areas, communities can offer more convenient and sustainable mobility solutions.

In conclusion, while the elimination of private vehicles in low-density areas presents significant challenges, the discussion underscored that strategic integration of services, accurate demand analysis, habit change initiatives, and strong local collaboration can lead to more sustainable and efficient transportation systems.