INCLUSION is a 3-year European project that aims to address a number of challenges related to the accessibility of public transport in remote urban and rural areas. In a fast-changing transport environment, where individuals’ mobility requirements have become more complex and the role of new forms of transport solutions is increasing, public transport continues to be a key requirement for people with specific needs. In some deprived urban neighbourhoods or remote rural areas across Europe, an efficient and inclusive public transport means greater access to jobs, educational and social opportunities.

THE PROJECT

The Inclusion project aims to investigate and understand the main characteristics of prioritised areas as well as the relevant factors that influence mobility and accessibility
This goal will be reached by identifying the user and social groups most exposed to transport accessibility issues and inequality in the different type of areas and undertaking a comprehensive analysis of their mobility requirements.
It will be necessary to understand how ICT tools, service and social innovation can help individuals to cope with accessibility issues and improve or increase inclusivity and transport equity for the concerned user groups.
The research will include the identification and the critical assessment of existing innovative, efficient, affordable, inclusive, equitable and economically viable forms of public transport, with a particular focus on the use of ICT applications and on transferability potentials for both the prioritised areas and social groups.
The Inclusion project will:

• undertake experimental validation of innovative elements and ideas aimed to enhance transport accessibility in selected prioritised areas and transport environments for the concerned vulnerable users.
• undertake a quantitative assessment of the impacts and a qualitative process evaluation in selected innovative transport solutions validated in the INCLUSION experimental sites.
• investigate, develop and consolidate business concepts and models related to the assessed accessible transport options with the aim of transferring these findings to other European contexts.
• disseminate and promote the identified innovations, transferable solutions and recommendations with the aim of fostering the adoption of accessible, inclusive and equitable mobility solutions for European prioritised areas and vulnerable user groups.

CONSORTIUM

A consolidated research group with a renowned academic and industrial profile:

• algoWatt SpA (IT)
• MemEx SRL (IT)
• Rupprecht Consult – Forschung & Beratung GmbH (DE)
• Mosaic Factor SL (ES)
• University Court of the University of Aberdeen (UK)
• Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Sieg (DE)
• BusItalia Sita Nord Srl BUSIT (IT)
• Centrum Voor Positieve Aanwending Vzw (BE)
• The Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (UK)
• BUSUP Technologies SL (ES)
• BKK Centre for Budapest Transport (HU)
• European Metropolitan Transport Authorities (FR)
• POLIS
• Promotion of Operational Links with Integrated Services (BE).