2023 CITY CHALLENGE – DEBRECEN


City PartnerCity of Debrecen
Winning Start-up/SMEAsistobe
Solution statementReducing cars in Debrecen with BigData and AI
Pilot solutionNorwegian start-up Asistobe will create an optimised, sustainable transport network that connects low-density areas. By using mobile network data, historical public transport data, and demographic data, Asistobe will create a predictive model of the transport demand. As a result, Asistobe’s AI and machine learning algorithms, will propose the optimal intermodal transport systems, including organisation, capacity, routes, and timetables.  
Programme EditionRAPTOR 2023

Challenge

How to connect citizens from low density areas to the public transport network through active mobility? 

Situation as-is

Mobility problems, namely the excessive growth of car traffic, pose a significant challenge to the city of Debrecen. In the 90’s, est. 50 000 cars were used in the streets of the city. This number has doubled by today and will increase rapidly in the forthcoming years without innovative actions.

That is why the Municipality of Debrecen has a significant goal to reduce the city’s car traffic and allow space for sustainable and alternative modes of transport through sustainable and innovative methods. A large part of the city, especially the South and the East and beyond the metropolitan area have low density residential areas. A large number of people commute daily from these areas to the center and to the West part of the city to work and shop. For these reasons, the urban car traffic is a painful challenge for Debrecen, impacted by severe daily road congestions, especially in the central area and other frequently used roads.

The city is looking for ways to connect the commuters from these areas to the Public Transport network with alternative sustainable ways and to engage them to leave their cars at home.

Part of the problem is that many people use their bicycles for urban travel, but their destination is too far for bike only and they are not able leave their bicycles safely near bus stops and frequent transportation hubs. Therefore, people tend to use their cars overall instead of PT or their bicycles.


Expected to-be situation

  • Increased active mobility / micro mobility usage in the city
  • Safe, green, and user-friendly storage solutions for micro mobility vehicles
  • Decreased car usage in the city
  • Increase in active mobility modes of transport
  • Increased number of public transport users in target areas

Solution

Asistobe’s SaaS Suite allows city planners to explore, predict and optimise their entire public transport networks. Transport planners can use the software to gain a visual understanding of how people really move. It can also be used to make precise predictions on future transport demand, while employing optimisation algorithms to maximise public transport efficiency and cost-effectiveness.


Results

  • During the project, Asistobe developed a new AI algorithm as part of the SaaS Suite with the capabilities to identify the potential of full public transport network optimisation activities. ​
  • The tool allows the city to analyse the real transport demand. ​
  • Based on early indications, a potential of 15% resource efficiencies are possible for the city of Debrecen.  ​
  • Additionally, Asistobe improved the tools’ onboarding process to accommodate new data sources. 

Check out the other RAPTOR 2023 city challenges…


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This project is funded by EIT Urban Mobility, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.
EIT Urban Mobility acts to accelerate positive change on mobility to make urban spaces more liveable. Learn more: eiturbanmobility.eu.