Autonomous vehicles (AVs) present an opportunity for governments, transport authorities and agencies to improve efficiency, competitiveness, safety, accessibility and reliability of the current public transport infrastructure. Four elements are the key to the success of fully automated, on-demand, door-to-door services in public transportation: technology, legal framework, passenger services and business plans. In this two presentations, Dimitri Konstantas, Professor at the University of Geneva and Stefan Grüttner, Head of Mobility for the district of Kelheim will present real-life case studies and experiences of implementing AVs within public transportation. After the presentations, afternoon chair Katie Searles will bring both presenters together to discuss the wider policy and regulatory framework in Europe, best practices to integrate AVs in public transport, ways to leverage AVs for post-pandemic recovery, funding and procurement strategies and other noteworthy pilot projects and trials on the horizon

Accessibility is  a core aspect of sustainable mobility. This presentation includes an overview of international and EU legal and policy frameworks (UN CRPD, EU Disability Rights Agenda), EU’s commitments to sustainability (e.g. EU Green Deal, Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy; Green Paper on Ageing) and will have emphasis on social sustainability as prerogative for participatory and inclusive way of reaching environmental targets. The talk will also share experiences of persons with disabilities in relation to transport accessibility and passenger rights to highlight existing issues for accessibility and passenger rights, including impact of COVID-19 on those. Lastly, Vera Bonvalot will focus on the way forward, best practices and recommendations for accessible urban mobility in the EU, including meaningful dialogue and cooperation with organisations of persons with disabilities; dedicated funding to advance accessibility of transport services and infrastructure; learnings from COVID-19; use of technical instruments such as European Standard for accessibility and usability of the built environment (EN17210).

ÖBB is Europe’s largest night train operator with 19 Nightjet lines linking over 25 European cities. In order to attract customers, we are continuously investing in new trains and new destinations. Although the framework conditions for operating night trains in the EU are quite a challenge.

Urban space needs to be at the service of humans. For the past seven years as Minister for Mobility and Public Works, François Bausch has pushed a paradigm shift in mobility planning. His focus is on moving people and goods, not vehicles. Urban space needs to be planned in such a way that as little space as possible is necessary for vehicles. Those remaining vehicles and their infrastructure should be “smart” in the sense that they communicate with each other and with their users. In his presentation, Minister Bausch will illustrate this approach with examples.