The project phase, which was carried out in close cooperation between the University of Graz, FH Joanneum, Competence Center Digitalization and Resilience Consult, ended in May 2024.
With the topic of traffic avoidance and innovations in traffic avoidance, the iNEVER project lays an important building block for the mobility transition as described in the Mobility Master Plan 2030.
Findings of the results report
The knowledge gained and the cooperation between the partners involved form an important basis for future innovation, funding and mobility measures.
So far, traffic avoidance has led a shadowy existence in mobility planning and policy as well as in the innovation and funding system.
The topic of traffic avoidance and innovations in traffic avoidance is an important building block for the mobility transition and has not yet received the attention demanded and described in the Mobility Master Plan 2030.
Traffic avoidance as the basis of the mobility transition should be anchored much more firmly even before the established focal points of modal shift and improvement.
In particular, cost-efficient and socially less controversial options for traffic avoidance (e.g. decarbonization by avoiding business trips through virtual mobility) should be researched and promoted more in the future.
Traffic avoidance is simple in theory, but complex and challenging in practice.
The reasons for this are, on the one hand, the very different weighting of the topic compared to the topics of traffic improvement and modal shift in traditional traffic planning and policy and, on the other hand, the often negative connotation of the term traffic avoidance in an expansive economy and society.
Smart strategies and communication of the topic of traffic avoidance are therefore key to exploiting the positive effects, such as increased compatibility and quality of life or cost savings.
In order to exploit the potential of traffic avoidance, a clear focus must be set in the public debate, in political decisions and in innovation policy and funding measures.
The digital transformation in passenger and freight transport and virtual mobility is expected to bring great benefits in terms of traffic avoidance:
On the one hand, through very low costs forCO2 savings, relatively simple implementation of measures and clear benefits for users through increased flexibility, the elimination of commutes and the compatibility of work and care responsibilities.
The iNEVER project has made important initial efforts to shed light on the topic of traffic avoidance from several perspectives and thus prepare the groundwork for an innovation network on traffic avoidance.
The next steps should now be taken in the direction of continuing the previous efforts and establishing and expanding the network through corresponding research efforts and intensive efforts in practice transfer.
Key recommendations
- The further involvement of stakeholders from science, politics and practice on the basis of the stakeholder and competence map as well as active participation are essential for the adequate consideration of different perspectives, the development of target group-specific solutions and thus the acceptance of traffic avoidance measures.
- Clear and transparent communication about the goals, activities and results of the innovation network creates visibility and demonstrates the benefits for the respective stakeholder groups.
- Stable financing through public funding, membership fees and third-party funding secures network activities.
- Reaction and adaptation to changing framework conditions and new challenges by taking current trends and developments into account are necessary.
- A clear positioning as a competent contact in the field of traffic avoidance in the mobility ecosystem should be the goal of the innovation network.
- Communication with the planned campaigns as part of the communication of the mobility master plan (focus on traffic avoidance) should be networked and coordinated.
- The topic of traffic avoidance should "automatically"flow into thematicallyrelated working groups and policy areas .
The concrete implementation of traffic avoidance in Austria requires the continuation and further expansion of the innovation network for traffic avoidance.