Selfdriving City

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November 2015 | version 1.0
››Selfdriving City
››Project Plan
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Contents
1. Introduction & relevance
2
2. motivation & goals
3
3. main approach
4
4. approach in phasing
6
5. organisation
8
6. target audience & stakeholders
9
7. planning, finances & deliverables
10
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1. introduction & relevance
introduction
The following project plan had been developed to satisfy a corresponding grant application for the Dutch
Stimuleringsfonds ‘Smart Mobility’ program and for cofinancing by various public and public partners. Except Integrated
Sustainability is the initiating partner and principal grant applicant. Metropoolregio Rotterdam - Den Haag and
Rijkswaterstaat have supported the project’s plan development and partner acquisition and will continue as co-working
partners.
Self-Driving City aims to contextualise the development of automated vehicles in the broad scope of sustainable cities
and urban society. Our proposal adheres to the Smart Mobility programs thesis that states “...the transitions we witness
are mainly based on existing infrastructures and spatial opportunities are underestimated… A smart, efficient and
integrated transport system can improve quality of life and contribute to a sustainable city.”
The Project Plan is submitted 1st November 2015 with the decision on grant awarding to be communicated on 11th
January 2016. Our program calls for immediate initiation upon program approval. The following project plan explains our
process in managing and executing the research program.
relevance
Development of self-driving solutions is experiencing exponential growth. Major industries are developing vehicles,
sensors and mapping systems. However, between technological capability and implementation reality there is
legislation, culture and human behaviour.
In the nineteen fifties, sixties and seventies, urban planners and architects dreamt of ideal urban structures where car
traffic would dominate the organization of the city. Only a few decades later many of these areas have failed while older
‘organic structures’ have proven to survive. Other cities destroyed centuries old quarters - like Delft’s historical south
side - to embrace the car.
Our history shows that planners and designers are anticipating change but not necessarily in an adaptive way. The
result of our research can contribute to a better cross disciplinary understanding of the effect of self-driving vehicle
development. Urban planners, policy makers, investors and operators will gain a stronger understanding on the various
‘urban system goals’ and mobility network solutions. These conditions will help determine the feasibility of pilot
projects and further research and help planners to anticipate sustainable change to promote the healthiest and most
economically vibrant cities.
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2. Motivation & goals
Widespread awareness over technological advancements such as the development of the ‘Google Self-Driving Car’ has
revived popular interest in a new era in personal mobility. In reality, these vehicles are already around us: at Rivium
business park in Capelle aan de IJssel or the car next door that handles parking automatically.
Technology has improved so much that self-driving vehicles are expected to outperform human drivers at all aspects
like parking, wayfinding, safe driving and efficiency. By doing so, the passenger can safely spend their time on other
activities while ‘driving’. Another important trend that is likely to support self-driving solutions is transport on demand.
With new services in the mobility market such as Uber, Snappcar and Greenwheels, new hybrid forms of private-public
transport are emerging. Could this trend precipitate the end of the city bus, collisions, congestion and parking shortage;
all the negative effects that cars have had on urban structures since the sixties? The effect on urban society remains
largely unknown. These questions are the basis of the effect research ‘Self-Driving City’. The aim of our research is to
explore how self-driving vehicles could advance the sustainable city.
Via an interactive process, we will explore expectations, benefits and barriers with our project partners within
government, business and knowledge institutes. The result of our research will contribute to further scientific research
and a stronger common understanding of what the motivators behind technological development are. Our partners have
provided the opportunity to gain insight into real-world studies in the metropolitan region of Rotterdam - The Hague.
These cases have the ambition to generate new pilot programs that aid local mobility demands and advance global selfdriving solution development. In this ‘Driving Lab’ we work bottom-up by allowing stakeholders to define sustainability
and mobility goals. Alongside subject matter experts we explore strategies, solutions and possible route maps for selfdriving system implementation.
Self-Driving City research is not scientific research, nor a feasibility study. Rather, we provide insights in decision making
for urban planners, mobility experts and policy makers. Our research focus is on the effects on urban economy, public
infrastructure and health. The engineers and scientists from our project partners are supported with technological and
legal knowledge while cooperation with diverse scientific institutions and municipalities ensures that we have access to
valuable knowledge and information. Results can inspire future pilot projects and support their implementation.
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3. main approach
Cases and effect
The core of our approach lies in the constant interaction between local test cases and a global effect research. Test cases
are far from virtual: they are all entered in the research by real ‘case owners’ with a real-world demand for smart and
sustainable transport solutions. In order to deliver more profound insights, case owners and the project team encourage
stakeholders to participate in the test cases in addition to the overall effort.
Test cases are quick scans on the most feasible self-driving solutions. Emphasis is directed at the effects they cause
relating to the current mobility patterns and the conditions for implementation of self-driving systems.
symbiosis in development
Sustainability touches upon all aspects of society. Except developed the Symbiosis in Development (SiD) method to
define what sustainability really is and how to best act on it from different stakeholders perspectives. SiD is a systemic
and multidisciplinary approach that lets us see through the complexity of dynamic systems, identifies additional
opportunities and minimises risk.
During the research and in the case studies, we will work with SiD on the overall effect level. SiD begins with a systemic
analysis of E.L.S.I.A. goals. ELSIA is an acronym of:
• Energy & Materials (Matter)
• Life (Species and Ecosystems)
• Society (Economy and Culture)
• Individual (Health and Happiness)
• Action (indicating it’s the actions and effects between the categories that matter)
The SiD process takes place in the following phases:
Trend Analysis
Team Formation
Precedent
Research
Stakeholder
Involvement
Goal
& Indicators
Evaluation
& Iteration
SiD
Method
Solutions &
Road Map
System
Mapping
Execution
System
Understanding
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Example
The following diagram illustrates potential target categories that result from the SiD analysis:
Energy
- Energy use reduction
Happiness
- Relaxation
- Affordable access to transport
Materials
- Percentage of car possession
- Spatial effects
Health
- Car accident rates reduction
- Air quality improvement
Economy
- TCO automated public transport
- Real estate values
- Effect on economic activities
Ecosystems
- Reduction of infrastructure
Species
- Road kill reduction
Culture
Unknown
These categories are applied as research themes in the test cases. Actions determine the relations between the effects.
For example, shuttle services can lead to good TCO models, unless people dislike riding these vehicles; or automated car
sharing can lead to less urban parking space, although that space is not necessarily utilised as urban green space.
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4. approach in phasing
Phase 1: process management
After the Stimulerings Fonds Creatieve Industrie grant process is completed, the process leader informs the project
partners. Subsequently, detailed process planning of all the workshops, quality controls, product delivery deadlines
and communication moments is completed. Finally, letters of intent are upgraded to contracts with each project partner
committal.
A kick off meeting for the core team to outline the planning and populate stakeholder lists of each area case is
scheduled for the second half of January. The core team meets three-times again: at midpoint, before final delivery and
during presentations phase in order to make necessary activity adjustments.
phase 2: sid precedents and trends analysis
During this phase the project team will do desk research about the most important trends and precedent. Precedent
analysis presents real world examples of projects in urban areas and their design and development processes. This
analysis summarises the insights of each example in relation to the overall project goals. The precedent review provides
information and inspiration and maximises any available ‘head start’ advantage.
The trend analysis identifies global trends that have any direct or indirect effect on the research. It is essential to get an
understanding of the ways trends influence one another. Example trends are: online availability of integrated transport
solutions, electrification of transport, urban regeneration or cycling friendly cities.
Another component of the trend analysis will be data collection on the most essential effect parameters such as accident
rates in urban areas, car ownership and use, utilisation of public transport, total cost of ownership of transport systems
and behavioural insights. Local data inquiries will be executed in the fifth phase of the case studies.
Phase 3: knowledge development
Our program will operate parallel to two important research proposals: the Smart Urban Regions of the Future (SURF)
program, lead by TU Delft with NWO grant expected 2016; and i-Cave, lead by TU Eindhoven with STW granted
funding and presently running. We will also collaborate with the Automotive Center of Expertise (ACE); a cooperation
of Hogeschool in Arnhem and Nijmegen, Hogeschool in Rotterdam, Fontys Hogescholen and private businesses. Our
knowledge manager will maintain exchange material on a project website and invite researchers to join our sessions.
Except Academy has reserved two positions for dedicated internships.
Phase 4: sid session
In this phase we determine the program goals with the partners in a day long SiD meeting. We prepare the meeting
utilising results from phase 2, a report on precedents and trends in smart sustainable mobility and development in selfdriving solutions.
The core team members receive report material in advance enabling SiD session preparation. The results will then be
utilised in an essay of the final research deliverables in phase 6.
phase 5: case studies
In three or more cases we will investigate urban areas where self-driving solutions are expected to compete with
traditional transport solutions and produce sustainable benefits. The case areas are predefined as Rotterdam Oude
Noorden and Schiedam Wilhelminahaven. Additional candidates likely to be included are Rotterdam The Hague airport,
Delft historical district and Capelle aan den IJssel Rivium.
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The case studies will be an adapted version of the overall SiD methodology as described in our main approach. Essential
to effective SiD execution is stakeholders communicating their own goals and expectations. We plan to organize two half
day SiD sessions with stakeholders for each case. During the first session we define the physical area scope, inventorise
goals (for example ‘a lively green business park with perfect visitors access’) and undertake an analysis of the current
transport and spatial systems. During the second session we explore potential solutions, their expected effects and any
implementation conditions.
For each case we have one SiD preparation meeting with the case owner and one evaluation meeting. The case result
is reported in an illustrated document that summarizes the local goals, shows integrated system solutions and ideas for
implementation.
phase 6: ideation and transition solutions
In this phase we generate insights about effects of automated transport on sustainability. In a day long SiD session we
focus on solutioning and implementation. The project team prepares the session with a toolbox of solutions acquired
from targeted research and phase five results.
During these sessions we draft solutions for:
• Greatest positive effects on urban economy, health and public infrastructure,
• Contextually appropriate transition paths for implementation of different systems (>10-20 years) and
• Roadmaps and stakeholder actions to stimulate implementation of automated transport in urban areas (< 5 years).
The final result of phase 6 is an illustrated report containing key insights from the effect analysis including goals,
systemic solutions, transition paths and the roadmap. We also offer to produce a short video in order to reach a broader
audience.
Phase 7: communication
Dissemination of research content is a constant activity of our project team. We use social media accounts including;
Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter of both Except Integrated Sustainability and our partners to share updates on the project.
Additional to social media, we publish project updates on the websites of Except and our partners. Final results will be
presented on stage in a regional debate with an open invitation for people from the target groups. Except also maintains
a presence at relevant events, such as the ITS World Congress; the world’s largest event in intelligent transport systems
and services, and Het Nationaal Verkeerskundecongres and national and regional debate platforms such as het Nieuwe
Instituut, PrinsenKwartier and Pakhuis de Zwijger. We regularly present, network and gather new insights at these kinds
of events.
phase 8: evaluation
The project will be quality controlled throughout and evaluated upon completion. We execute quality controls twice;
during phase 4 and during phase 6. Posad, an external urban design office has been invited invited to undertake
independent quality control. Posad was selected for their commonality with our target audience. We assist the quality
controller in preparing -by offering all relevant information and offer an invitation to the programs final evaluation.
Program evaluation is achieved via a short meeting of the core team followed by drinks for everybody that has, at any
time, contributed to the research.
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5. Organisation
Except Integrated Sustainability is the initiating partner, project lead partner and grant applicant. We have formed a team of
local governments, national and international schools and business. This team allows us to link demand and supply and to
balance between social goals and economic feasibility. The following partners are cooperating during the program:
Core Team
effect analysis
all cases
selective cases
Except
x
x
x
Rijkswaterstaat
x
x
x
Metropoolregio RDH
x
x
x
Gemeente Schiedam
x
Gemeente Rotterdam
x
x
x
TU Delft
x
x
TU Eindhoven
x
x
Hogeschool Rotterdam
x
x
POSAD (Quality Controller)
x
x
Stakeholders
x
x
Gemeente Delft, RTH airport and Gemeente Capelle aan den Ijssel are also considering to be case owner.
Greenwheels and Rotterdamse Mobiliteit Centrale (RMC) will join one or two cases as stakeholder.
Project team
Coworking partners
Bart Stoffels (Project Leader - Urban Planner, Process
Manager
Merel Segers - Industrial Ecologist, Researcher
Chantal Klaver - Knowledge and Communication
Manager
Antonia Sore - Architect
Monica Velasco - Urban Designer
Thomas Perkins - System Engineer
Intern
Our co-working partners, Rijkswaterstaat and
Metropoolregio Rotterdam-Den Haag support by
engaging case owners and acquiring co-financing.
Additionally, Rijkswaterstaat Swipe team provide
knowledge of local mobility networks, trends and
precedents in the development of self-driving vehicles.
Core team
Marijn t Hart - rijkswaterstaat
Lodewijk Lacroix - Metropoolregio Rotterdam - den Haag
Project Leader and Secretary - Except Integrated
Sustainability
Judith Boelhouwers - gemeente Rotterdam
Lex Boersma - gemeente Schiedam
Quality control
case owners
Case owners contribute a local use case, it’s background,
information, goals and expectations. They encourage
professional stakeholders to join relevant working SiD
sessions.
universities & knowledge institutes
These partners contribute to the effect analysis and
selected cases and help to acquire interns, graduate
students and researchers to participate in workshops and
contribute additional desk research.
Quality control is done by Boris Hocks from Posad spatial
strategies. Boris’ role is to give feedback on the results
and communications from the perspective of an industry
professional.
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6. Target audience and stakeholders
Target audience
Our program aims to share knowledge, generate insight and spark debate for the following target audience:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Professionals in spatial planning, transport and economy;
Educational and knowledge institutions focussing on spatial development, mobility and sustainability;
Governors and counsellors, especially in metropolitan region of Rotterdam - Den Haag;
Experts on self-driving vehicles from business, education and knowledge institutes.
Stakeholder engagement
We welcome stakeholders to join our program. On the level of the overall effect analysis, a select number of national
and international players will be approached. Initial contact has already been made with the national department
Infrastructuur, Milieu, TNO, ANBW and Platform Connekt.
At case analysis level, the case owners welcome local or national stakeholders such as
carsharing operators, housing corporations or public transport operators.
Stakeholder map
3rd B TIER
SOCIETY
Know
ledge Partners
Case Owners
TU/e
Eindhoven
TU
Delft
Case owner 4
Team
- Rijkswaterstaat
- Except
-MRDH
Gemeente
Schiedam
SOCIETY
SOCIETY
re
Co
Gemeente
Rotterdam
Case owner 3
Hogeschool
Rotterdam
SOCIETY
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7. Planning, finances & deliverables
Project planning
Schiedam
Rotterdam
Cases
Cases
script
RTH airport*
Case 4
Case 5
Process planning
Effect
Analysis
SiD analysis
SiD session (goals)
Process planning
Evaluation
Knowledge management
Communication
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* onder voorbehoud
project finances
The total research budget is presently €90.000. The grant application at Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve Industrie is valued
at €34.500. Based on the available budget, a significant discount of €16.500 is offered by Except for the effect analysis.
Except will calculate this discount by decreasing senior rates to junior rates.
The initiation point for funding of each case study is €10.000 each to be provided by the case owners either directly, in
kind, and/or by an external funding.
deliverables
The research provides the following deliverables:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Trends and Precedents report,
Online knowledge exchange library,
Case reports,
Stakeholder presentation,
Effect analysis communicated via vision document and short video,
Presentations and debates.
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