ITS in action: Copenhagen’s green agenda

Organised by ERTICO and the European Commission and hosted by the City of Copenhagen, the ITS World Congress 2018 will see over 10,000 participants from more than 100 countries pour into the city to exhibit, demonstrate and experience the latest intelligent transport systems (ITS) and services.

The theme of the event is ‘ITS ­– Quality of life’ and a range of topics, including ‘ITS and the Environment’ will be explored.

There are countless environmental benefits of ITS. Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) apps can be used to help commuters choose the greenest route available and connected and automated vehicles can interact with road infrastructure to ensure a smoother drive and reduced emissions.

‘ITS and the Environment’ is also a topic which holds a special significance to the host city. The city of Copenhagen has some ambitious environmental goals, aiming to become the world’s first carbon-neutral capital city by the year 2025. In order to achieve this goal, Copenhagen has embraced ITS to make mobility in the city greener, healthier and safer.

Ninna Hedeager Olsen, Mayor of the Technical and Environmental Administration, City of Copenhagen said: “Copenhagen is known as the world’s best city for cyclists. Sixty-two per cent of Copenhageners commute by bike and 41 per cent of all trips to work, school and university are by bike. We have developed an extensive network of protected bicycle tracks to encourage cycling and we are continuously looking to deploy ITS to create green mobility. To us, mobility should be greener and smarter and it is not just about technology. It is about creating a better quality of life for all Copenhageners and ITS solutions can support us here.”

Eco-driving in action

One way that Copenhagen is furthering its green agenda is through the facilitation of eco-driving, using a combination of an onboard unit and a multimodal app designed for trucks, lorries, buses and cars. Eco-driving is an approach to driving which the City expects will improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. The app informs drivers what the optimal speed is to achieve a green wave through intersections and the goal is to achieve environmental benefits through moderated speed and acceleration. The driver’s travel experience will also become much more convenient.

The eco-driving project is currently under implementation and tests will be launched as soon as the technology is up and running. Eco-driving will be available on half of the ring road in Copenhagen, which includes parts of the city centre. The app will also be available for cyclist tests on a shorter part of the ring road.

A green agenda

High on Copenhagen’s green agenda is making the city friendlier to cyclists. With over 350km of dedicated cycle paths and lanes, Copenhagen is already considered one of the world’s most cycle-friendly cities and they are aiming to further improve the experience through the deployment of ITS.

One initiative is the testing of variable message signs. These have traditionally been used for motorised traffic, but the city saw an opportunity to use them to help stimulate cycling. Signs are connected to the Central Traffic Management System, meaning that traffic data can be communicated in real-time and cyclists can be directed to less congested cycle tracks. The project hasn’t been evaluated yet, but so far, cyclists seem to be welcoming the new signs .

Copenhagen is also testing intelligent street lighting in five intersections in the city. These new lights are dimmed to 50 per cent at night to reduce energy consumption. The lights are fitted with smart technology which turns them back up to 100 per cent when an approaching cyclist is detected. This system is actively reducing carbon emissions while also ensuring the safety of vulnerable road users travelling at night.

ERTICO – ITS Europe: working towards green mobility solutions

ERTICO – ITS Europe facilitates the development and deployment of smart mobility in Europe and connects stakeholders to make this a reality. After 25 years of work, ERTICO is now looking ahead with ‘Vision 2030’ which outlines a shared vision for the future of mobility.

Using ITS to reduce environmental impacts is a major priority for ERTICO. In 2017, a position paper entitled ‘ITS for Clean Mobility’ was published, outlining how ITS can be used to reduce carbon emissions. To work towards this goal, ERTICO supports a number of eco-driving initiatives throughout Europe. ERTICO is focused on ensuring the interoperability of ITS systems and working with service providers to help define regulatory frameworks and facilitate continuity of service across borders.

Speaking about the topic of ‘ITS and the Environment’, Jacob Bangsgaard, CEO of ERTICO – ITS Europe, said: “ERTICO works to reduce the impact of transport on the environment through new technology and business models. Together with our partners, we promote electro-mobility solutions and MaaS schemes. Copenhagen has made incredible progress in creating a cleaner city through the use of public transport and bicycles, in addition to investments in road infrastructure. The adoption of cooperative ITS and automation is making the city more efficient and is setting an example for many other cities in Europe.”

Join us in Copenhagen

From 17–21 September, at the 25th ITS World Congress, help create greener cities by attending sessions and discussions presented by experts. You’ll hear about new and exciting ways in which ITS can be used as a solution.

Attendees will be able to experience Copenhagen’s green mobility solutions first-hand thanks to a new MaaS app, called ‘MinRejseplan’, which has been developed especially for the congress. The app will provide free public transportation to all delegates for trains, metros, buses and harbour-ferries. It will also give information on private transportation options such as taxis and bike-sharing.

The combination of public and private transportation advice in one app is new and the app will also be a live demonstration project that delegates can test and evaluate at the congress. The testing will be a step into the future of MaaS and ‘MinRejseplan’ will be available to the Copenhageners after the congress.

Copenhagen has some of the best systems in operation, but there is still work to be done to meet its goal of being carbon-neutral by 2025. There are countless ways that ITS can benefit the environment and although more are being discovered every day, there are just as many challenges to its deployment. To join the conversation and see some of Copenhagen’s green mobility in action, register for the ITS World Congress today!