VIU News

SPROUT project:
presentation of the results of the test phase of a new model of sustainable and flexible transport called “NEXT"

NEXT combines a set of electric modular vehicles and innovative technology to manage transport demand. The modular vehicles can travel individually or in convoy and they do not require dedicated infrastructure.

The experimentation is part of the European Horizon 2020 project called "SPROUT" (Sustainable Policy Response to Urban Mobility Transition)", in which the City of Padua participates as a partner of VIU (Venice International University). The project involves 14 cities in different countries and has as its objective the implementation of cutting-edge sustainable mobility technologies.

The otest phase, which ran from July to November 2021, included an initial pilot test in a dedicated lanes and a second phase that extended to a larger urban setting.

The results were presented on March 31, 2022, with the participation of Andrea Ragona, Councillor for Mobility; Gilberto Muraro, President of the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Padova e Rovigo; Prof. Marco Mazzarino, Venice International University and IUAV University; Tommaso Gecchelin, designer and creator of the NEXT vehicles; Alfonso Pecoraro Scanio, the former MP and now with Fondazione Univerde, as well as stakeholders involved in the project and the technicians of the Mobility Sector of the Municipality of Padua.

Subject of the experimentation and elements of analysis were:
- Analysis of the dynamic, stability and driving performance of the vehicle
- Analysis of energy consumption and verification of environmental and sustainability parameters
- Socio-economic and financial evaluation of the model (simulation)
- Comparison between the scenarios of use considered applicable for the city of Padua;
- Involvement of local mobility stakeholders.

The experimentation and evaluation have shown that the NEXT system generates positive social results and extraordinary environmental benefits, where the system's intrinsic strengths emerge predominantly: modularity, flexibility, improved transport efficiency, sustainability (environmental, socio-economic and financial)

The possible future prospects is to implement urban policies that allow to develop innovative forms of mobility suchs as the electric modular vehiclestested in the project or on-demand bus. The Urban Plan for Sustainable Mobility is a guideline that can give municipalities the tools to integrate their transport system, both passengers and freight, with the contribution of the local mobility stakeholders and according to the scenarios described in the final analysis of the porject.