MIDAS in Bologna

Summary of Activities

  1. MIDAS target area

    • City centre
  2. Stakeholder Consultation
    • Regular meetings involving representatives from the local authorities:
      • the Municipality of Bologna which cooperates with ATC for the realisation of the MIDAS activities.
      • the Province of Bologna, who are interested in following the activities and in gaining know-how and instruments to spread sustainable services through the province.
    • Seminars with local and national decision makers (Region, Transport Authority Agency, Regional Environment Authority, Ministry of Environment) will take place at the end of September 2007 (relating to the events of the European Sustainable Mobility Week).
  3. Evaluation (“before” and “after”)
    • Telephone survey interviews (conducted in November 2006) for the collection of information on mobility habits and mobility needs of the citizens, and the perception of existing services (car-sharing, bike and ride, park+bus). The survey focused on people living in two different areas of Bologna. One area in the West, where car-sharing services have already been implemented, together with a cycle path, and effective public transport services. A second area in the East, where “sustainable” services are at this moment less implemented
    • Focus Groups (conducted in February 2007) to analyse citizen perception of sustainable services and to understand which are the key issue to increase the use of the services, in particular car-sharing and cycling.
    • To measure the efficacy of the measures, and to assess improvements in the amounts of emissions, ACT are measuring, before and after, the use of the car sharing (number of trips, km, number of subscribers, etc.) and the use of bike services and facilities (number of subscribers, number of users per day, etc.)
    • Surveys in order to verify the usage and the level of satisfaction of citizens concerning the sustainable mobility services.
  4. Implementation of soft and associated measures
    • The MIDAS actions in Bologna aim at promoting the use of services which already exists. Bologna has implemented a range of sustainable services, but their potential is not fully exploited (car sharing service “Caratc”, free bike hire service “Centro in bici”, bicycle paths). The results of the “before” surveys showed clearly that the lack of clear and concise information was an impediment to the success of the services. Therefore the main goal of MIDAS will be to reach people that could be interested in the services.
    • The measures to be implemented are:
      • Information campaign: During the European Sustainable Mobility Week events that will take place from 16th to 22nd September 2007, the information and awareness campaign will start. During this week several initiatives for citizens will be carried out: the campaign will focus on car sharing, bicycle use (bicycle paths, bike hire service, and bicycle facilities) and public transport service.
      • Sustainable Mobility Zone: Through MIDAS, ACT will develop an information and service centre on all aspects concerning sustainable mobility issues in Bologna. This will be linked (physically) to the existing mobility centre “ATCittà”, which is currently an information and ticketing sales centre of the public transport provider (ACT Bologna). Near by to the “Sustainable Mobility Zone”, there is a car sharing parking area and a point for free hire of bicycle. Dedicated personnel will be able to inform citizens and visitors of the sustainable mobility opportunities in Bologna.
      • Vademecum (“Carta della Mobilità”): The Vademecum will be a guide on mobility services covering all modes of transport (car-sharing service, pedestrian and cycle paths, services and facilities for bicycles, public transport information). It will also provide information on energy consumptions and suggestions for behaviour change.

Photo 1: Bologna's free bike service
Bologna’s free bike service

Photo 2: Bologna's car sharing
Bologna's car sharing

 

Supported by: Intelligent Energy