European collaborative mobility data platform Vianova has joined a new consortium in the Netherlands to help build smart, sustainable cities for the future. 

The Cities of Amsterdam and Almere, and Groningen Bereikbaar have joined forces with private sector partners to form a new consortium. The Digital orchestration of the use of public space (DRO). The consortium is part of the Dutch Metropolitan Innovations (DMI)-ecosystem and received the innovation contract from the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management at the end of 2023. With a budget of over 23 million euros, DRO-DMI will work on the development of digital tools to better manage the use of public space.

Vianova is the only non-Dutch organization joining the consortium and will contribute mobility data to improve road safety and reduce carbon emissions in cities. 

In the Netherlands, cities and regions face complex challenges in the fields of mobility and urban planning. However, traditional instruments, such as physical interventions in public spaces, traffic lights, and traffic controllers, no longer seem sufficient in the dynamic mobility landscape of today and tomorrow. Amsterdam, where the population is projected to exceed one million by 2030, is exploring ways to reduce pressure on public space, enhance safety, and simultaneously promote the use of environmentally friendly and accessible transportation. Almere grapples with above-average housing ambitions alongside growing mobility needs and increasing mobility poverty. Groningen, a crucial traffic hub in the northern part of the Netherlands, encounters daily traffic jams on access routes from Drenthe, Friesland, and Germany. Therefore, additional digital tools are needed to keep cities accessible and livable.

DRO-DMI will explore and develop digital, data-based solutions to better manage the use of public space.

The DMI-ecosystem is a collaboration of industry, knowledge institutes, G40 and G4 municipalities, provinces and the ministries of I&W and BZK under a joint uniform Agreements System. DMI is a collaboration with the National Growth Fund and focuses on smart, sustainable urbanization, and mobility innovation. It provides the domains of mobility, public space and housing with new tools from the digital world. Within the DMI ecosystem, the DRO-DMI consortium brings together various cities, technology organizations, and research institutes. Partners include the City of Amsterdam, City of Almere, Groningen Bereikbaar, Goudappel, Technolution, and AMS Institute, with advice from TNO and the Transport Region Amsterdam.

Vianova was selected as part of the consortium thanks to its cloud-based mobility platform, which leverages IoT and data from 1 million+ connected vehicles daily to provide stakeholders with advanced geo-intelligence about how vehicles move around cities. In the Netherlands, Vianova is already working with Utrecht and Eindhoven to support the cities in rolling out sustainable mobility. Mobility providers share their data with cities through Vianova, whilst policymakers and urban planners use the data to gain valuable insights and analytics to improve decision-making. 

Thibault Castagne, CEO and co-founder of Vianova, said: “With the official award of the innovation contract and the involvement of several partners, the DMI ecosystem and the DRO consortium are ready to break new ground for sustainable cities. This joint effort, backed by financial commitment and broad collaboration, marks the beginning of a promising journey toward smarter, more sustainable urban development in the Netherlands and beyond.”