Model shows only 2,000 private cars needed in Barcelona if used with 500 shared shuttles

The Cooperative Automotive Research Network (CARNET)* has implemented a cutting-edge simulation environment for the Barcelona Metropolitan Area in the form of The Virtual Mobility Lab. The aim of the lab is to show how it can analyse and assess the impact of smart mobility projects in Barcelona, and how the results can be extrapolated before the implementation of a pilot test. 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 one of the first tests, the Virtual Mobility Lab, whcih uses PTv software, showed that the number of private vehicles on the streets of Barcelona could be reduced to 2,000 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. ??Jaume Barceló, strategic consultant at PTV as well as recognized emeritus professor and scientific director of the Technical University of Barcelona, explains: 'The Virtual Mobility Lab is an ambitious project and a collaboration between the Faculty of Informatics of UPC, Volkswagen Research Group, Seat, PTV and Kineo Mobility Analytics. We supported the initative with a PTV Visum multimodal model of the First Crown of the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona. And we used our PTV MaaS Modeller tool in the virtual laboratory to create several scenarios in the city, as well as in selected areas of the First Crown, and to demonstrate the potential impact of Demand Responsive Transport services on the city.'

The result is the first in-depth multimodal model of Barcelona Metropolitan Area, which includes the offering of all public transport modes, as well as private vehicles and the updated demand for mobility.??The research and innovation “hub” Cooperative Automotive Research Network (CARNET) was founded by the Technical University of Catalonia (UPC), Volkswagen Research Group and SEAT. PTV Group set up a subsidiary in Spain and joined CARNET as industrial partner in 2017. CARNET focuses on the future of automotive technologies and urban mobility. In December, the initiative won the “2017 National Prize of Public-Private Partnership on R&D” awarded by the Catalan Foundation for Research and Innovation of the Catalan Government.

* The Cooperative Automotive Research Network, initiated by SEAT, Volkswagen Group Research and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), is an open hub for industrial and academic partners from the areas of automotive and mobility research & innovation. CARNET is located in Barcelona, and works through project-based collaboration. It focuses on innovation and solutions that close the gap between academic research and industrial innovation in urban mobility.