Incentives Platform: the MaaS for People

Climate change is one of the most urgent and complex challenges of our time, with profound implications for the environment, the economy, and society. More specifically, one of the sectors with the greatest impact on the climate is the mobility one, which in Europe generates about a quarter of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, not to mention air and noise pollution caused by emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). 
To counteract climate change, various measures have been implemented over time, including the Green Deal, the Paris Agreement, and the 2030 Agenda, which, among other things, aim to promote urban mobility, enable intermodal mobility (MaaS), and support innovations in transportation technologies to improve the quality of life within urban areas. 
In this context, it is therefore essential to find suitable tools to achieve the aforementioned objectives. One of the strategies adopted is to promote change through the use of various stimuli: they can be nudges, which are small interventions aimed at leveraging consumer biases and habits (for example, displaying the carbon footprint of different transport options), or monetary incentives, capable of offering tangible economic benefits.

CHALLENGE
The current context of the MaaS (Mobility-as-a-Service) paradigm is complex and multifaceted, characterized by technologies and solutions that primarily originate from the supply side of the mobility sector rather than from user needs, regardless of how it is possible today to move in an increasingly sustainable way in a specific territory. 
Therefore, it becomes essential to thoroughly understand the mobility demand to use the most appropriate tools to encourage a change in travelers’ habits towards the adoption of sustainable, shared, and intermodal mobility forms, thereby reducing the use of private cars, the main obstacle to achieving sustainability goals.To address this need, thanks to the trajectory set by the MaaS4Italy project of the PNRR, the cities of Turin, Milan, Florence, and Bari, as well as the Abruzzo region, have decided to implement a solution capable of ensuring effective and active management of mobility flows through the development of a platform that allows both raising awareness on environmental issues and managing economic incentives.

SOLUTION
To address the challenges faced by the involved territorial realities, the “Sticks & Carrots” strategy has been adopted, proposing the so-called Incentive Platform as a solution. Aware that a balance between rewards and penalties can be a strong stimulus to achieve the desired change, in this specific case, the “carrot” is represented by monetary incentives that reward users who use sustainable mobility forms. The “stick,” on the other hand, can consist of various disincentives to regulate the behavior of travelers. Examples of this that we have contributed to implement include:
• The introduction of the access fee to the city of Venice as a deterrent against the phenomenon of over-tourism;
• The access management to areas of natural value such as the Sella Pass, which is described in this case study;
• The management and limitation of flows to touristic hotspots (such as Lake Braies or the Adamello Brenta Natural Park) through the activation of a platform for parking reservation and shuttle bus services.
Now let’s return to describing the platform we have designed and implemented for managing and delivering monetary incentives. To maximize its effectiveness and quality, it was decided to adopt a user-centric approach based on the expressed and unexpressed needs of travelers to create a product that, by digitalizing the entire travel experience, also plays the role of Traveler Relationship Management (TRM). This term has been coined to capture the evolution of a CRM towards the world of intermodal mobility, to include user profiles, usage and travel data, and the necessary functionalities to model users and their movements in the most diverse mobility scenarios.
Indeed, only with a newly designed tool it is possible to create the “MaaS for people,” which allows for the analysis of travelers’ daily needs with the aim to segment the demand and adapt incentive tools based on the specificities of the rider categories, the territory, and the mobility policies to be promoted.
The Incentives Platform is composed of 3 modules:
1. Backend for the management of the incentive logics, data storage, registration, identity, and service orchestration. It is structured as follows:
• TRM (Traveler Relationship Manager): for user management, monitoring of activities and user behaviors;
• Incentive Tool: for modeling and releasing incentives, and managing gamification logics;
• IAM (Identity Access Manager): for managing identities and access, user authentication and authorization, and data security;
• API Hub (REST): for communication with MaaS operators and third-party services.
2. Web portal for travelers:
• User profile registration and management;
• Travel history and incentives used;
• Incentive wallet visualization.
3. Management and control dashboard for Mobility Agencies to supervise and manage the mobility system:
• TRM: for monitoring and managing user activities, profile management, and customer support;
• Incentive management: for configuring incentive logics and monitoring incentive effectiveness;
• Business Intelligence: for demographic analysis of users (segmentation and profiling), distribution and usage of incentives.
Given the highly diverse traveling public, characterized by different behaviors and needs according to the urban context, there is no “one size fits all” solution. Instead, distinctive and personalized approaches are necessary. To address this aspect, the involved cities and regions have tracked and compared travelers’ habits before and after the introduction of incentives. Specifically, through the completion of an “ex-ante” questionnaire, data was collected to understand the traveling public’s habits in a specific territory, thus adapting incentive strategies based on defined rider categories. Once the trial is concluded, an “ex-post” questionnaire will be administered to assess the impact and effectiveness of the incentives on the involved traveling public, and to adopt any corrective measures to manage mobility demand.
Different strategies were chosen for managing the incentives based on the target users:
• Ad hoc monetary incentive strategies for specific groups of travelers (e.g., residents, people with disabilities, commuters, etc.);
• Gamification strategies to encourage modal shift, such as giving the most virtuous users – those who frequently use public transport – access to more substantial incentives;
• Ad hoc strategies for specific events: stakeholders, not necessarily transport operators, can also promote sustainable travel within a broader context beyond just mobility.
Looking at the individual projects, despite sharing basic elements, each one has its own peculiarities for the reasons mentioned above. 
For some cities and regions, the experimentation focused on providing “flat” incentives that could be available to all citizens, distinguishing, in some cases, specific rider categories in the university and corporate environment. This allowed some local areas to incentivize the use of public transportation by workers and students.
The projects also involved various MaaS Operators offering different modes of transport to ensure intermodal travel options for the users. Another characteristic of these projects is the provision of incentives in the form of monthly cashback based on how much the user traveled during the previous month: this gave an additional boost towards the use of sustainable mobility services by the citizens, stabilizing their behavior in the medium term.
With the aim to strengthen the user awareness regarding the benefits of shared and sustainable transport options, important gamification logics were introduced in some areas, rewarding those users who most frequently use these services. Additionally, in order to manage the significant traffic flows characterizing cities on weekends, reward logics were introduced to encourage the use of public transport during weekends, with the aim of mitigating the M-shaped curve and optimizing city mobility.
Another distinctive feature of some projects is the strong clustering of experimental users: five profiles (Tourist, Student, Vulnerable Categories, Commuters, and Shoppers) were defined to meet different local transportation needs.

INNOVATION
Within the MaaS landscape, the Incentive Platform represents the first solution that pays appropriate attention to the environmental and social needs of traveling users, enabling the deployment of tailor-made incentive logics that best fit the contexts of application.
The platform is thus configured as an enabler for MaaS Level 4, which involves the integration of social goals. At Level 4, the MaaS service goes beyond the mere connection of the supply and demand for mobility and aligns with the rules defined by the public governance. The added value of this level is that MaaS is characterized as a digital tool that allows for the pursuit of political, social, and environmental objectives. In the case of the Incentive Platform, the benefits are numerous:
• At the environmental level, there is a reduction in emissions and a lower level of pollution—both air and noise—thanks to the reduced use of private transport modes. 
• Social benefits arise from the increased livability of cities in every aspect, reducing road traffic and creating urban spaces that are increasingly inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, in line with SDG 11 of the 2030 Agenda. The benefits, therefore, extend not only to citizens who use their own car but also to those who prefer to experience the city by bicycle or on foot.
• Economic benefits are represented not only by a reduction in mobility expenses for citizens but also by the possibility of optimizing the mobility offer within a territory. These economic benefits, with political implications as well, are achievable through the proposal of various forms of mobility, increasing the effectiveness of the public service on one hand and promoting intermodal solutions on the other, which duly consider private cars (such as park & ride solutions).
Since such ambitious and diverse goals vary over time and based on context, it is essential that the platform is flexible and adaptable. 
From a technical perspective, the platform has been designed with a headless architecture, allowing it to interface with existing front-ends and be integrated into ongoing projects via APIs, a best practice described in this blog article.
The foundation also is based on real-time data management, which is a crucial requirement in a modern mobility scenario. This allows for continuous and dynamic mapping of citizens’ travel habits, providing critical support for urban and transportation planning, as well as optimizing operational management. The continuous and real-time updating of data enhances the platform’s ability to respond immediately to the changing needs of users and urban infrastructures.
Among the flexibility elements, as mentioned in the introduction, is the possibility of introducing nudges, defined as such when no economic incentives are provided to influence individuals’ choices. Although current incentives are predominantly monetary, there is nothing preventing them from becoming real nudges. For example, integrating further gamification logics, adding features aimed at increasing users’ environmental awareness, and reinforcing social norms for sustainability are all elements that could gradually complement or replace monetary rewards. Moreover, thanks to the large amount of collected data, it will be possible to develop dynamic nudge logics, functional to the implementation of effective and personalized behavioral interventions in real-time.
On one hand, the solution goes beyond the boundaries of public transportation and provides users with the necessary incentives to modify their daily mobility choices by offering a so-called “Mobility Account”. Through the adoption of gamification logics, a true user loyalty is achieved, while the introduction of new metrics – such as CO2 consumption and savings – helps raise citizen awareness about the environmental and social impacts of their behaviors. In particular, carbon credits and white certificates will increasingly become essential tools for quantifying, monitoring, and incentivizing actions aimed at reducing emissions and improving consumption, thus becoming crucial metrics in the global landscape of environmental policies.
Cities, on the other hand, have an active mobility governance tool that allows them to shape mobility patterns thanks to innovative CO2 validation and gamification logic. Overall, given the substantial change in travelers’ habits and the effective management of mobility flows, there is a progressive improvement in the quality of life in cities.
How can we ensure concrete and lasting change, even after the initial budget has been exhausted, making the distribution of incentives for sustainable mobility affordable in the long term? Thanks to the OpenMove platform’s ability to manage both incentives and disincentives, it is possible to create a sustainable business model that intercepts revenue streams – such as the congestion charge, access fee, and entry into premium areas – to distribute them as rewards and discounts to virtuous users who use shared mobility forms or travel during off-peak hours.
Ultimately, thanks to the “Sticks & Carrots” strategy, it is possible to shape mobility flows by reducing the peaks of the M-curve, through a model that is sustainable not only from an environmental but also from an economic perspective.

SWARCO Italy seals major contract with ATM Milan for urban traffic management

SWARCO Italy has recently signed a significant contract with ATM Milan, worth EUR 4 million, to optimise urban traffic management in the city. This agreement marks an important step in the collaboration between the two entities and reflects SWARCO Italy's commitment to improving mobility through advanced technological solutions.
SWARCO's OMNIA platform has been operating around 600 traffic light installations for years and, with this contract, will implement further functionalities to improve traffic management. Modules for the import of real time traffic data from a leading data provider and the extension of the SWARCO Traffic Light Assistant functionality to 50 traffic light intersections, in addition to the 23 already in operation, will be implemented.
The SWARCO STRATEGY MANAGER module will enable the centre operators to manage critical situations efficiently and promptly as they arise, ensuring optimal and safe traffic flow for all.
The project also includes the installation of 35 latest-generation variable message signs, produced by SWARCO FUTURIT. These signs, positioned in strategic areas of the city, will provide real-time information to drivers, enabling more dynamic traffic management. The aim is to improve traffic flow and increase road safety by providing timely and relevant information.
The long and fruitful cooperation between SWARCO Italy and ATM Milan, which has lasted for decades, is further strengthened with this new contract, underlining the trust that ATM and the Municipality of Milan place in SWARCO's advanced technological solutions for mobility.
This project represents an essential contribution to the modernisation of traffic management in the city, supporting increasingly efficient and sustainable mobility, also in the run-up to the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

The technological revolution of Selea

Behind the emerging era of Smart Cities, IoT, and Artificial Intelligence, which distinguishes true innovators, a technological revolution is unfolding, and Selea certainly couldn't miss this opportunity.

Traffic analysis, automatic license plate reading, traffic violation alerts, vehicle recognition: make, model, color, type, instantaneous speed, stationary vehicle, queue formation, smoke/fire detection, wrong-way vehicle, nationality, direction, GPS location.

No other camera offers as many features as Selea cameras.
It’s not just about the numerous algorithms embedded in the camera, essential in the era of Smart Cities and IoT, but also inviting you to observe that:
• for each individual recognition algorithm its precision is always indicated. Inaccurate data is just “rubbish”.
Selea has made precision its primary mission.
• Selea always declares how many makes, models, colors, and types of vehicles it can recognize.
• thanks to the power of the hardware, all algorithms operate simultaneously.

We call it ZERO EFFECT: zero surprises, zero problems, zero waste of time.
Discover the features > CLICK HERE

Geotab Integrates Data from Volkswagen Group Fleets
Geotab, a global leader in connected transportation solutions and TTS Italia ordinary member, announced its partnership with Volkswagen Group Info Services AG (VW GIS), a strategic partner for multi-brand data products within the Volkswagen Group. This milestone marks another significant step in building Geotab’s extensive OEM network network. By combining high-quality data from Volkswagen Group multi-brand vehicle fleets and the power of the Geotab platform, the partnership provides fleet operators with best-in-class telematics and connected mobility – all ready to use without retrofitting.
If fleet customers consent, built-in sensors will collect vehicle generated data from Volkswagen Group fleet vehicles. Upon request, this data is transferred to the Geotab platform via an application programming interface (API). The Geotab platform streamlines data collection and conversion, enabling advanced data analysis and actionable insights while ensuring data privacy and security. Furthermore, the integration ensures that all data is transmitted and stored within a secure Geotab database so that it is under the control of the fleet owner. This intelligent data helps fleets in vehicle leasing and rental, last mile delivery, enterprise & utility, and mobility operator companies make near real-time decisions on productivity, and compliance.
“With the Volkswagen Group Info Services AG partnership, we are able to reach out and cater to a wider customer base who are in search of fleet management solutions via native telematics. Integrations with famous brands from the Volkswagen Group portfolio enables us to further strengthen customer trust. But Geotab isn’t the only one winning: The Volkswagen Group Info Services AG integration offers many advantages for both OEMs and customers alike as OEMs do not have to build and maintain their own technology stack  for data processing, analysis and visualization. Instead, the customer seamlessly feeds their data into the telematics platform via the cloud-to-cloud using APIs. Customers still receive all OEM-specific data points including those from other OEMs in the context of a multi brand fleet ㅡ optimally processed and integrated with other fleet data to provide a 360-degree view of their fleets,” said Christoph Ludewig, Vice President, Europe OEM and Leasing/Rental/Mobility, Geotab.
The MyGeotab platform now integrates vehicle generated data from various manufacturers, including Volkswagen Group (VW, Audi, Škoda, CUPRA, Seat) BMW-Mini Group, Renault, Dacia, Ford, all Stellantis brands and Mercedes-Benz, among others, as well as data from Geotab's own telematic device. Additionally, valuable analytics contribute to sustainability efforts as well as CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) reports. For example, fleet operators can optimise routes, increase fuel efficiency, identify electrification potential, encourage better safety, and reduce idling times. MyGeotab processes data into comprehensive insights, providing fleet managers with a better understanding of fleet performance.
“We are excited to partner with Geotab to deliver advanced telematics to fleet operators across Europe. By integrating vehicle generated data from Volkswagen Group produced vehicles with Geotab’s solutions, we empower fleet managers to improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability, enabling real-time decisions without extra hardware,” said Patricia Stich, Chairwoman Volkswagen Group Info Services AG.
*The Geotab integrated  solution for Volkswagen Group Info Services AG will be available from September 2024 in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
 
Source: Geotab

Geotab introduces new fleet sustainability solutions
In response to the impact that the transportation sector, one of the largest global greenhouse gas emitters, has on climate change, Geotab – a global leader in connected transportation solutions and TTS Italia ordinary member, presented during the Mobility Connect event in Milan a complete suite of solutions oriented towards fleet sustainability and driven by data, which aim to respond to the challenges of decarbonization, cost management and performance improvement – ​​including the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report with a calculation method certified by TÜV Rheinland. “Climate change is an urgent issue and at Geotab we know that you can’t manage what you don’t measure. That’s why our fleet sustainability solutions provide precise insights to monitor emissions and fuel consumption, and to manage electric vehicle charging, reporting and compliance, as well as to help define future goals,” said Edward Kulperger, Senior Vice President Europe at Geotab. “As the transportation industry and its needs evolve, Geotab is developing the tools and solutions needed to comply with regulations and drive business growth.” The solutions integrated into the MyGeotab® platform announced include:

Geotab Sustainability Center – Fuel Optimization, Energy Savings and Performance ImprovementGeotab’s Sustainability Center provides actionable analytical insights and identifies opportunities to reduce emissions, drive fuel and energy savings, and optimize performance. Available within the MyGeotab platform, this specialized sustainability module enables fleets to track their environmental impact and identify options to reduce it through reduced idle time and increased adoption of electric vehicles. It also tracks both emissions saved and emissions produced and fuel saved, identifying further optimization opportunities and electrification solutions.TÜV-Certified GHG Emissions.

Calculation Methodology – Increase Transparency and Accuracy of Reporting
More than 50,000 European companies and another 10,000 globally will be required to submit sustainability reports in line with the CSRD. Access to accurate and reliable data is critical to the disclosure and regulatory compliance process. Geotab’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report provides a reliable way to monitor a fleet’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by automating the calculation of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2-eq). TÜV Rheinland has certified the Geotab Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report’s CO2 output calculation method for measuring Scope 1 emissions from vehicles. Using telematics, companies can now obtain accurate, near-real-time vehicle emissions data, avoiding the uncertainty of manual data collection and the risk of human error. The report supports compliance with the CSRD regulatory framework (ESRS E1). To simplify compliance, analyses can be generated in line with leading ESG reporting frameworks, such as CDP and SBTi (Science Based Targets initiative).

Electric Vehicle Sustainability Analysis (EVSA) – Updated Tool to Ease the Transition to Electric
Going electric can be a complex decision for fleets. Geotab’s EVSA helps businesses build a business model for electrification by providing a clear view of environmental and economic impacts based on real-world data. The latest version includes automatic vehicle type detection to make it easier to select and compare vehicles. Geotab’s EVSA creates a personalized plan for fleet electrification, considering the suitability of replacement vehicles based on performance needs, model/brand preferences and charging availability. This innovative tool, awarded “Sustainability Product of the Year” and the 2024 SEAL Business Sustainability Award, empowers fleets to make informed decisions about their transition to electric.

Charging Monitoring System – EVs Ready When You Need
The adoption of electric vehicles and the positive impacts of decarbonization require effective charging management tools and high-quality data. With Geotab’s EV Charging Monitoring System, fleets can gain a complete overview of their vehicles’ state of charge, using alerts to ensure they are ready when they need to be. Optimizing charging is essential to improving efficiency, reducing fuel costs and maximizing the operational benefits of electrification. A new survey of European fleet managers by Geotab revealed that the majority are confident they will meet their emissions targets on time (44.5%) or even ahead of schedule (31%). However, CO2 output data is among the least considered metrics (29%) by telematics adopters. With these new solutions, fleets will be able to better focus their sustainability efforts, ensuring that time and resources are invested in the areas that will have the most impact to achieve their goals. In Europe, fleets with integrated OEM telematics can also benefit from advanced sustainability solutions, thanks to Geotab’s strong partnerships with several leading automotive manufacturers, including the recently announced ones with Volkswagen Group Info Services AG and Stellantis. Data from the manufacturer’s integrated telematics devices is accessible through MyGeotab.

For more information on Geotab’s fleet sustainability solutions, click here.
Source: Geotab

Geotab survey: 81% of fleet managers trust the power of data, but half want AI-based tools and faster access to insights
Data is essential to enable better management of costs, performance and safety, but it still needs to be fully exploited to achieve sustainability goals. This is what emerges from the survey “Trusted data insights: what are your vehicles telling you?”, conducted at European level by Geotab – global leader in connected transport solutions, and ordinary member of TTS Italia. The study, presented in view of Mobility Connect 2024, Geotab’s main European event to be held on October 22 in Milan, interviewed fleet managers based in France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom with the aim of assessing the level of maturity of companies in terms of data use, while identifying potential challenges and areas for improvement. “In a world where the amount of data collected daily increases, it is essential that the majority of companies can rely on it to achieve real business impact. The power of data can be further enhanced with advanced tools such as AI and analytics. As the mobility industry continues to face significant challenges related to safety, sustainability and operational performance, leveraging data will remain critical,” said Edward Kulperger, Senior Vice President, Geotab EMEA.

A look at Italy
The sample involved in the study reflects the scenario of our country, which sees a clear prevalence of small fleets: over half (57%) of Italian interviewees manage fleets of 5 to 49 vehicles. Net of the preponderance of small and medium-sized enterprises, the level of maturity of the telematics market in Italy is high, with almost 9 fleet managers out of 10 (89%) who rely on analytical insights to make strategic decisions. And among those who still don't, a full 57% are convinced that this type of information is fundamental, but the lack of interoperability and coordination of company systems prevents them from exploiting it (at a European level, the percentage drops to 34%). Optimizing processes is crucial for Italian fleet managers: over 7 out of 10 (71%) look at data first and foremost to improve efficiency, compared to a European average of 64%.

Focus on efficiency
Whether it's about optimizing costs (55%) or improving operational management (45%), at a European level, data is used primarily to optimize performance. Similarly, fuel consumption information is closely monitored (71%), with peaks of 79% and 74% in countries such as the United Kingdom and Ireland. The growing adoption of data-driven solutions for fleet management is therefore closely linked to cost reduction and performance improvement, which is in line with the current business scenario. Furthermore, when adopting data collection strategies, fleet managers are particularly looking at aspects such as real-time management (55%), simplification in achieving regulatory compliance (47%), consistency between different data sets and sources (45%) and process transparency (40%).
Sustainability remains unexplored
While efficiency is the top priority, improving sustainability does not yet seem to be at the top of the agenda in Europe. For users of telematics solutions, data relating to CO2 emissions are among the least considered metrics and, at the same time, aspects related to sustainability are the least observed benefits. Moreover, environmental impact does not seem to be a pressing concern: the majority of fleet managers believe that their organization's emissions reduction objectives can be achieved on time (44.5%) or even ahead of schedule (31%). The research therefore highlights how companies still need to give due importance to sustainability, integrating CO2 emissions monitoring more into fleet management systems. "With the tightening of regulations for the reduction of emissions, especially in Europe, companies will have to exploit the data at their disposal for reporting and compliance. The role of telematics providers is not only to offer cutting-edge solutions for collecting and understanding data, but also to support fleet managers on their journey to sustainability, educating them on the challenges of the future,” Kulperger added.

The road to innovation passes through Artificial Intelligence
The study highlighted that more advanced tools (49%), faster access to data (47%) and simplified reporting (46%) would allow fleet managers to better exploit data-driven insights. Artificial Intelligence is appreciated but not fully understood. 51% of respondents believe that AI will improve the ability to access data quickly and easily to obtain useful information. At the same time, however, 40% of the sample believe it will also add layers of complexity. Larger companies, however, appear to be more optimistic about AI: the percentage of those who believe it will simplify access to data rises to 64% for fleets with 500-4,999 vehicles. It is also interesting to note that levels of trust in AI vary depending on the geography. The highest levels of trust were expressed in France (64%), Italy (60%) and the Netherlands (59%), while respondents in the UK (32%) and Ireland (43%) were more sceptical. Spain (52%) and Germany (51%) fell somewhere in between. The potential of AI to provide valuable data-driven insights can still be significant, as it can improve the ease of use of telematics solutions, allowing for optimised decision-making and improved outcomes.

Safety remains a top priority
42% of respondents use fleet data to assess safety. However, this figure varies by fleet size, with medium (50-499 vehicles) and large (500-4,999 vehicles) fleets using data more for safety purposes, with an average of 51% and 47%, respectively. Additionally, 43% of fleet managers also use telematics data to monitor driver behavior, with some variation across countries: Germany (54%), Spain (47%), the Netherlands (44%), Italy (42%), the United Kingdom (40%), and Ireland (36%). While analytics insights are useful for addressing safety issues, there are also privacy and data protection concerns that need to be addressed, with 49% of respondents believing that the industry still has some work to do in this area. Overall, the research shows that data-driven insights can actually improve fleet cost management, performance and safety. While telematics adoption is increasing, there are still challenges around data access, as well as a cautious approach to AI and the need to leverage this type of information more to meet sustainability goals.
Source: Geotab

Pedal, Florence rewards you: in four months, almost 700 thousand km traveled, thanks to the Pin Bike Kits
677 thousand kilometers pedaled, almost 17 times around the world, or almost a return trip from Earth to the Moon, for a CO2 saving of 103,417 kilograms, and more than 73 thousand euros in incentives accrued.
These are some of the numbers of the project “Pedala, Firenze ti premia”, the initiative of the City of Florence that began on June 3 with the aim of promoting the two-wheeled vehicle for city travel in exchange for a monthly contribution and also bonuses for the most virtuous citizens, through the Pin Bike kit, TTS Italia ordinary member, and with a dedicated App.
And given the success of the debut, the second batch of kits (1,000) has already been purchased and will be distributed from October 21 to users who had requested them and had been placed on the waiting list after the boom in bookings at the launch of the initiative.
“The first four months demonstrate the great success also in environmental terms of this pilot initiative in which we are one of the most advanced cities – said Councilor Andrea Giorgio – the success in numbers is beyond expectations, with a great saving of carbon dioxide and pollution. Focusing on cycling mobility in our city is a goal we are working on on several fronts, from cycle paths that have reached almost 120 km and will increase further, to incentives for those who use bicycles. In the coming weeks we will present other innovations and we are working to develop a bicycle plan that is up to the standards of European cities. In a new idea of mobility, bicycles are a fundamental part, together with trams and buses, to offer a safe and efficient alternative to the use of private cars, too widespread in cities”. The project, funded with one million and 200 thousand euros, is one of the pilot projects developed with citizens as part of the project ‘Florence for the climate’ and is part of the Program Agreement for the adoption of measures to improve air quality stipulated between the Region and the Ministry and approved by the Municipality of Florence.
There were 2,000 kits available, of which approximately 1,900 were collected in just a few days thanks to the collaboration of the Districts that managed the deliveries effectively. The kits booked and not collected were used in this initial period for replacements in the event of theft of the bike. Only 2 kits were returned due to abandonment of the initiative and the same number were replaced due to malfunction. There are over 1,700 (to be precise 1,727 active users.
The data on kilometers traveled is very interesting: from June to today, 677 thousand km have been pedaled with a saving of almost 103,417.2 kilograms of CO2 released into the air. The average distance traveled on the routes is 5.3 kilometers (in detail home-work 5.5 and home-non-work 4.7 kilometers). They travel by muscle bike (97.04%) while the remaining 2.96% travel by electric bike.
The majority of trips are systematic home-work/study (65.33%). As for the age of users, 40% fall into the 30-44 age group and the same number into the 45-59 age group. 14% are between 21 and 29 years old and 6% are over 60.
The males are 45.45%, the females 37.92 and the remaining users did not declare their gender.
Since the beginning of the project, rewards for 73,670.10 euros have been accrued, which are credited directly to the beneficiaries' IBANs.
There are two different types of reimbursements for those who abandon a polluting vehicle in favor of a bicycle for those who already habitually use it.
In particular, those who habitually use motor vehicles and switch to a bicycle for home-work and home-school/University travel have 20 euro cents per kilometer to which 5 euro cents can be added for each kilometer on generic routes, as long as they are within the Municipality of Florence. The maximum amount that can be accrued is 2 euros per day and 30 euros per month.
Those who already used a bicycle for home-work and home-school/University travel are entitled to 15 euro cents per kilometer and 5 euro cents per kilometer on generic routes. The maximum amount that can be earned is 1.20 euros per day and 30 euros per month.
In addition to this, each month prizes of up to 100 euros are available for the 200 users who have accumulated the most points in the App with virtuous actions (km cycled, participation in events and questionnaires, etc.). Each participant, over the course of the project, will be able to receive additional monthly prizes of up to a maximum of 200 euros.

Fonte: Ferpress

Targa Telematics publishes the second sustainability report
Targa Telematics – one of the leading global players in the field of IoT and the development of digital solutions and platforms for connected mobility and TTS Italia founding member – has published its second Sustainability Report.
Drafted with reference to the GRI Standards, as required by the Universal Standard, and the SASB indices, the 2023 Report highlights the results obtained by the company in the ESG field with respect to the objectives previously identified and defined along three pillars: People, Business and Environment, associated with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and defines new short-term objectives.
These three pillars, closely dependent and interconnected, represent the foundations of the Action Plan on which Targa Telematics bases its investment decisions and actions. They ensure that every initiative undertaken aims to achieve measurable positive ESG impacts.
To support this ambitious plan and as part of the continuous improvement of its sustainability strategy, Targa Telematics increased its investments by 80% in 2023 compared to the previous year.  It has also set up an ESG Committee, an internal committee created spontaneously and on a horizontal basis, which sees the active involvement of all the corporate functions’ key managers.
 Thanks to this integrated and structured approach over time, Targa Telematics has aligned its business plan with the sustainable development plan of the 2030 Agenda, pursuing its Mission to develop innovative IoT and smart mobility solutions that benefit people, businesses and the environment.
Going into more detail, for each of the three pillars, these are the main objectives achieved:

People
In 2023, more than 16,500 hours of training were provided at Group level, a substantial increase compared to 2022. In particular, the objective of extending the training activity to almost the entire Viasat business perimeter has been achieved, reaching over 90% of employees.
Aware of the difficulties and in order to support the entry of women into occupations related to stem disciplines, the company paid particular attention to inclusion in the selection process for the activation of internal internships, covering, with the entry of girls, 33% of the total. In addition, the company demonstrated its commitment to increasing gender inclusion in typically male technical roles, reaching 18.4% of new female hires.
To promote dialogue and internal transparency, in 2023 the company also worked on extending the culture of feedback – a tool that helps each employee to align more easily with company objectives – also to the resources entered into the Group’s perimeter after the acquisition of Viasat. The goal is to reach 50% of employees involved by 2024 and 70% by 2025.

Business
Focusing on data security has always been a key pillar for Targa Telematics. The company achieved ISO 27001 certification in 2023, with extensions 27017 (general security controls for users and cloud service providers) and 27018 (processing of personal data in the cloud). By 2024, following the acquisition of Viasat, the goal is to integrate ISO 27001 certification and its extensions to the entire group, thus guaranteeing the highest quality for the information security management system.
In addition, during 2023, Targa Telematics defined its Supplier Code of Conduct with the aim of promoting sustainable development and values such as dignity, health, and equality of workers, guiding the selection of suppliers with quality criteria. In 2023, 26% of suppliers with contracts over €100,000 adhered to the Code, and the company aims to extend it to most major suppliers as part of its Quality strategy.

Environment
Over the past three years, Targa Telematics has implemented several initiatives to reduce environmental impact and contribute to sustainable mobility.In 2023 the company reached the ESG target of using at least 25% of electricity from renewable sources (26%). The company aims to increase this percentage, targeting at least 55% by 2026.
The equivalent greenhouse gas emissions associated with the activities of 2023 have increased by virtue of the integration of Viasat; however, it should be noted that, by normalising the Group’s overall emissions on the number of employees, which increased by 312%, there is a reduction of more than 50% in the emission intensity per person per year, a sign that the expansion of the business has not significantly impacted on the relative emissions, but rather has contributed to efficiency in the delivery of value with respect to CO2 intensity.
Finally, with the entry into force in January 2023 of the Directive on Corporate Sustainability Reporting (CSRD) and the publication of the Delegated Acts of the new European Taxonomy, Targa Telematics is preparing to comply with the European framework, providing its stakeholders with the tools to correctly evaluate the work of the company.
“The commitment to sustainability is rooted in the history and objectives of the company, therefore in all activities, functional areas and organisational strategies to take this path forward. The results obtained so far, and highlighted in our latest Sustainability Report, are the result of determined and focused teamwork, matured thanks to a constant commitment and passion that everyone applies to the project, and the desire to return the value generated to the communities of interest “, commented Nicola De Mattia, CEO of Targa Telematics.
As proof of the company’s commitment to ESG issues, two important awards should be highlighted: Targa Telematics is the 2024 Sustainability Leader for Il Sole 24 Ore and Statista and, for the second consecutive year, “Silver Medal” for ESG performance in Ecovadis’ rating.
Targa Telematics’ 2023 sustainability report is available at
https://www.targatelematics.com/pdf/2023/Sustainability-Report_TargaTelematics_EN.pdf

Source: Targa Telematics

Towards an Integrated Digital Ecosystem for Mobility Companies. ATM’s Strategic Vision with Mia-Platform. The event in Milan on November 21
The provision of high-quality digital services for companies operating in the mobility sector is now of crucial importance. In a context in which travellers require increasingly fluid, personalised and integrated experiences, companies must adopt cutting-edge digital solutions to effectively respond to these expectations.
This will be discussed on November 21, in Milan, during “Towards an Integrated Digital Ecosystem for Mobility Companies. ATM’s Strategic Vision with Mia-Platform”, organised by Mia-Platform, TTS Italia ordinary member, and ATM itself.
Through the interventions of experts, the event will illustrate how ATM has invested in digital, highlighting the link between the quality of its digital assets and competitive advantage, showing how the efficiency and innovation of these services not only satisfy customer needs, but also generate new business opportunities.
Focus on the standardization of the integration between sales touchpoints and ERP in ATM; the Modular Approaches, or how ATM introduced Microservices; digital innovation.
The event is open to professionals in the Mobility & Transportation sector and places are limited. Participation in the event is free upon registration and subject to confirmation by the organizing secretariat for logistical reasons.
To register and for more details, click here.

Source: MIA-Platform

TTS Italia at the National Conference “MaaS for Italy, innovation, experimentation and sustainability for the mobility of the future”
TTS Italia, represented by President Rossella Panero, was among the protagonists of the National Conference “MaaS for Italy, innovation, experimentation and sustainability for the mobility of the future”, which took place in Naples on the 29th and 30th, organized by the Municipality of Naples.
The Mobility as a Service for Italy project, born in the context of the PNRR and managed by the Department for Digital Transformation of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers in collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, involves the experimentation of the paradigm of mobility as a service on the national territory, first in the “pilot” cities of Naples, Milan and Rome, then in the cities of Bari, Florence and Turin and, finally, in the seven “follower” territories (Autonomous Province of Bolzano and the Regions of Abruzzo, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Piedmont, Puglia, Veneto).
The Conference was an opportunity to discover the results and technological and social challenges of the program related to the experimentation of MaaS.
The event involved representatives of the Government, cities and territories selected for the experiments of MaaS for Italy and their partners, as well as opinion leaders on the topic of technological innovations applied to the mobility of the future. An opportunity also to discuss the development of alternative scenarios of cooperative, connected and autonomous urban mobility applied in the LivingLabs.
In particular, Rossella Panero took part in the Round Table "The point of view of the sector associations", focused on the Lessons Learnt to date from the first phases of the experimental project MaaS4Italy, including critical issues, and on possible indications for the future of MaaS services in Italy. Moderated by Prof. Vito Mauro, Technical Mission Structure of MIT and President of the Technical Committee MaaS for Italy, together with TTS Italia the Round Table also involved ASSTRA, AGENS, ANAV, Club Italia and ASSOSHARING.

MaaS: TTS Italia Working Group activities restarted
The activities of the Working Group on MaaS (Mobility as a Service) restarted in September, in TTS Italia, coordinated by Matteo Antoniola – 5T, ordinary member of the Association. The aim of the Working Group, this time, is to pick up where it left off, namely the development and publication of “Guidelines for the development of MaaS services in Italy”, broadening the discussion to new topics and new aspects. In particular, the focus will be on the analysis of the state of the art of the MaaS sector: existing critical issues, good practices, points of attention, new recommendations. The final result is the publication of a new document of recommendations for the Institutions that will be presented with a public event in Rome in May 2025.

Last mile sustainability: SPOTLOG for sustainable urban logistics. The new article by TTS Italia on WAVE Magazine
TTS Italia among the partners of SPOTLOG (Green and Socially resPOnsible ciTy Logistics InnovaTions), a project co-financed by the European Commission under the Interreg Europe program and coordinated by the University of Aveiro, Portugal.
SPOTLOG, launched in March 2023 and scheduled to end in May 2027, aims to involve local communities in the creation of socially responsible logistics systems, based where possible on zero-carbon modes, through the intelligent use of all available resources and leveraging the digitalization of freight and passenger transport services.
Focusing on low-density communities and medium-sized cities, SPOTLOG partners aim to improve regional policy tools towards the European objectives of inclusive and zero-emission mobility.
This requires the creation of partnerships, the sharing of data and resources, as well as the alignment of incentives to promote a culture of cooperation. Added to this is a combination of regulatory measures, financial incentives and public awareness campaigns to accelerate the adoption of green technologies and practices in last mile delivery.
Read the new TTS Italia article on WAVE Magazine or Download the pdf (available only in Italian).

Vilnius tests autonomous driving with EMBRACER
European regions need a radical shift towards seamless intermodal mobility to motivate people to choose sustainable forms of travel, especially when they live in rural areas.
In fact, it is precisely underserved communities in peripheral and rural areas that face a number of mobility challenges. Limitations in digital connectivity, transport infrastructure and services can have significant social and economic consequences, in terms of reducing travel horizons and hindering access to opportunities such as employment, education and social activities.
EMBRACER is a project funded under the Interreg Europe Programme, with a budget of over 2 million Euros, in which seven regions underserved in terms of mobility and transport are committed, over five years, to integrate public transport with informal modes (bicycle, ride-hailing, car/bike/scooter sharing, on-demand transport, autonomous shuttles) to improve interconnection with urban areas and create intelligent and climate-resilient regional and local intermodal mobility. TTS Italia is also among the project partners.
In particular, as part of EMBRACER, Vilnius, Lithuania, is testing an autonomous electric shuttle service to improve transport connectivity in underserved areas of the city. The aim is to facilitate access to public transport stops to allow users to travel further.
The trial was officially launched in recent days and will last two months, during which the effectiveness of the bus in the city's public transport system will be evaluated.
The autonomous bus operates on weekdays from 7:00 to 19:00. The journey takes approximately 50 minutes. Since it is an electric vehicle, there are periods during the day when it will not be able to operate due to charging. The shuttle has 13 stops, two permanent and 11 temporary, and until the end of the trial, it will be free to use.
The 4-kilometer route was chosen based on several criteria: the condition of the public transport infrastructure, the potential number of passengers, the suitability of the road infrastructure, the intensity of traffic, access to charging stations and community involvement.
During the trial, data on passenger flows, the quality and suitability of the infrastructure for autonomous transport, as well as the potential effectiveness of the autonomous bus as a form of public transport and its potential integration into the city's transport system in the future will be collected and analyzed.

For more details, click here.

NAPCORE MULTIDAY EVENT
6-7 November 2024, Turin, Italy
For further information, click here →

Intermobility Future Ways
19-21 November 2024, Rimini
For further information, click here →

Smart City Expo World Congress
05-07 November 2024, Barcelona, Spain
For further information, click here →