The participation of USER-CHI project in TRA 2024 saw a strong start with the European Commission Lunchtime Session, setting the stage for impactful discussions on sustainable mobility. USER-CHI was among the highlighted projects during the session “Towards zero emission vehicles: From batteries to demonstration.” This session featured eCharge4Drivers, BatteryHeroes, and the E-VOLVE Cluster, and was moderated by Joao Duarte Miranda from the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Marion Pignel from Eurocities represented the USER-CHI project, emphasizing its innovative approaches to achieving user-friendly charging infrastructure.
Spotlight on people-centred and inclusive mobility
In the afternoon, the USER-CHI project took center stage again during the people-centred and inclusive mobility poster session. Two notable contributions included:
• “Art competition as a creative and participatory tool for promotion of sustainable mobility” by Oona Uusitalo from the City of Turku, showcasing how artistic endeavors can engage the community in sustainable practices.
• “Please Hang in There: User-Acceptance as a Key Element for a Successful Charging Infrastructure” by Divy Gupte from the Institut für Klimaschutz, Energie und Mobilität (IKEM), discussing the importance of user acceptance in the deployment of effective charging solutions.
- Technical session on Urban Freigt
The technical session titled “Urban Freight – Scenarios, Planning and Space Allocation” featured Fabio Cartolano from FIT Consulting srl. He presented the “Stations of the Future Handbook,” a strategic guide aimed at optimizing public space use and supporting the electrification process in urban areas. The session also covered the findings of the New Mobility Patterns study and insights from the Flexcurb project.
- Advancing urban mobility solutions
Juan Gimenez from the Instituto de Biomecánica (IBV) presented on user-friendly stations of the future, further elaborating on the “Stations of the Future Handbook” during a technical session. This presentation highlighted the importance of designing user-centric infrastructure to facilitate the transition to sustainable mobility.
- Insights into smart charging for EVs
Raquel Alario Bernabé from ETRA participated in the poster session “Zero Emissions Transport.” Her presentation focused on the potential of smart charging for electric vehicles, drawing on insights from the USER-CHI project tool SMAC. This session underscored the critical role of intelligent charging systems in promoting the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
The USER-CHI project proved its pivotal role in advancing sustainable urban mobility during the Transport Research Arena conference. From insightful presentations to engaging poster sessions, the project highlighted the importance of user acceptance, innovative infrastructure, and smart technologies in achieving a zero-emission future. The conference provided a valuable platform for sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration among leading experts and stakeholders in the field of sustainable transport.
