Policy for inclusive, demand-driven and target-group-specific automated mobility solutions for cities (CATAPULT)

The general objective of the project is to adapt urban policies for better target group-specific, inclusive and demand-oriented automated mobility solutions. The project focuses on social innovation (more inclusive public space) that goes hand in hand with the introduction of technical innovation (improving accessibility through automated mobility solutions). After the first tests with automated vehicles near Zaventem airport, there are plans to introduce automated shuttle services related to the development of the European Boulevard link between Brussels, the airport with its surrounding economic activities and international institutions such as NAV0. The first objective is to use the developments in that area together with TOP Noordrand (a territorial development program for the Brussels Noordrand) as a laboratory for new mobility and the associated spatial planning. The tests developed by the international project partners in a laboratory environment will be used for real world operationally automated shuttle services. The second objective is to make progress towards a co-creative planning process involving regional and local authorities, international institutions, economic stakeholders and last but not least citizens with particular attention to the most vulnerable target groups. The potential impact of CATAPULT is to ensure (or improve) the mobility of pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users, ... in local communities when automatic vehicles are introduced.