The identification and analysis of ICT solutions favouring the integration of multimodal passenger transport is not an end in itself. Specific solutions identified in case studies and described in a handbook remain still in their separate environment. Therefore the question is how to extend and promote the application of these solutions and strengthen the positive impact on de-carbonisation. In COMPASS project three types of activities have been carried out:
Ø Dissemination and validation of ICTs with stakeholders – with the aim of disseminate information regarding applications and experiences of its implementation and use as well as validate ICTs with stakeholders.
Ø Transferability analysis – with the aim to assess transferability potential and to provide a basis for the discussion on the potential barriers.
Ø Business modelling – with the aim of promoting ICTs implementation. 10.6.2 Dissemination and Validation of ICT Solutions with Stakeholders Key dissemination areas were the following:
Ø The COMPASS website; Ø COMPASS final conference.
According to web statistics gathered between March 2012 and October 2013, the COMPASS website was visited by an average of 270 unique visitors per month, with a very marked peak of 635 unique visitors in October 2013 at the time when all project partners were making a great effort to promote the work of the project in connection with the COMPASS final conference.
The COMPASS final conference took place on 13 November 2013, in Rome. The conference was open to all relevant stakeholders and more in general to the actors who showed interest in the COMPASS project during the lifetime of the project. Presentations were given both by consortium partners and invited speakers. More than 80 people participated, among them researchers, transport and technology industry representatives, automotive representatives, associations active in the field of transport and technologies; public administration and EC representatives. Participants were invited to fill in a questionnaire to provide their views on the priorities related to ICT deployment.
Further dissemination activities were: Ø The COMPASS newsletter; Ø Publications;
Ø Papers at the conferences. Further reading
Ø Project presentation leaflets
FINAL RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
10.6.3 Transferability of Solutions Problem statement
The objective of this part of COMPASS was to assess the potential transferability of the solutions analysed within the case studies. Such analysis enables to inform on the transferability potential of the experiences investigated as well as to provide a basis for the discussion on the potential barriers which might hamper the diffusion of such kind of solutions.
Main conclusions
Based on the cross-cutting analysis for all 21 solutions investigated by COMPASS case studies it could be concluded that different types of barriers are more or less important for different solutions. The most significant and difficult barriers to overcome are low interest for operators and low viability for financiers for those solutions that depend on private finance. Profitability - evaluated in terms of additional revenues compared with the overall magnitude of costs for the implementation of the solution – was for several of the investigated ICT solutions regarded as low. This was in particular the case for the various kinds of traveller information in rural Poland. In such cases the interest for operators could be mainly justified by the potential of such ICTs in attracting more customers by providing the users with higher quality information, but this cannot always be guaranteed.
Interest for governments is conditioned by the role of ICT in fulfilling policy objectives. Governments are more likely to promote and support those ICTs which contribute to the achievement of specific policy goals (e.g. reduction of CO2 emissions) as compared to ICTs which only contribute to user comfort.
General applicability of the ICT solutions tested shows that it is usually high regardless of region and context. Several of investigated ICTs can be replicated in different contexts or geographic scales. Moreover it seems that ICTs bundled together, while more complex than single use solutions, offer more benefits to the users due to the synergy effects and are still well transferable. Interest for travellers is varied and more solution than location dependent. The level of interest of travellers in ICTs is strongly related to the perceived benefits deriving from their use: the quality level and the timing for the information delivered to final users are crucial. Information is a highly perishable good that should be provided to travellers at the right time and in the right place.
Further reading
Ø COMPASS D6.2 An Assessment of the Potential Impact of ICT Solutions on a Co-modal Transport System
10.6.4 Business Modelling as Instrument for Promoting ICT Implementation Problem statement
A necessary condition for successful implementation of ICT solutions is to show to stakeholders the benefits of co-modality and opportunities generated by ICT solutions. Adoption of the business models can enhance competitiveness of transport operators through creating the conditions for wider diffusion of co-modal transport services and helping to de-carbonise the sector. Diffusion of the co- modal solutions described in business models can also help to tackle the “links and nodes” barriers against intermodality.
Main conclusions
The modelling of business configurations makes available structured knowledge to the target audience about the target solutions and the related business aspects, with an innovative approach to learn how to create and capture customer value in the business of co-modal transport systems.
All four solutions analysed (bike sharing, car parking management, shared taxis, and traveller information for mobile devices) highlight the benefit of co-modality and present a fair degree of feasible innovation for decarbonisation of transport. The technology behind the modelled solutions is a mix of innovative and of legacy (although improved) ITS applications. In the analysis of the business elements, both the points of view of transport operators and of final users have been taken
FINAL RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
into account: in most cases the views coincide. In other cases, where they differ, both points of views are separately considered and illustrated in the model.
Some of the ICT applications taken into analysis bring innovation to transport systems at maturity stage while others, such as mobile traveller information systems or example, represent a kind of solution generating entire new business too. All the transport solutions considered can considerably enhance co-modality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions with the application of innovative technology; the business models delivered by COMPASS help organisations to plan and introduce and/or change elements for business success.
Recommendations
The key recommendation is to promote the use of business models as instruments that in turn promote ICT implementation.
Participants at the COMPASS conference were asked whether they use business models in their institutions, but only one third of those declaring to use and/or have used business modelling in their organisations show the adoption of a structured approach. This demonstrates that actual knowledge on business modelling seems insufficient and further dissemination about business modelling, its value for profit and or non–profit organisations, and about proper methodologies to implement it appropriately is needed.
The dissemination of knowledge on ICT to enhance co-modality and decarbonise the transport sector necessarily requires explaining how these goals can be achieved and which business models should be adopted to realise them. The COMPASS business models are a first example of such strategy, and their approach deserves to be replicated and expanded with further research and dissemination. Further reading
Ø COMPASS Handbook website http://81.47.175.201/compass/
Ø COMPASS D5.1 Handbook of ICT Solutions for Improving Co-modality in Passenger Transport