SCALE-UP Project Reaches Out Globally: Highlights from GITSS 2024
SCALE-UP Project at the GITSS 2024 in Harbin (China).
The SCALE-UP project, an EU-funded Innovation action that focuses on 3 European urban nodes Antwerp (BE), Madrid (ES) and Turku (FI) has successfully extended its impact and reached a broad audience beyond EU borders.
Mr Jorge Alfonso Kurano, Researcher at the Visual Telecommunications Application Group (GATV), Research Group of the Technical University of Madrid (UPM), a SCALE-UP project partner participated in the 15th International Conference on Green Intelligent Transportation Systems and Safety (GITSS 2024) that was held in Harbin, China from 16 to 18 August 2024. The conference was organised by the Beijing Institute of Technology and Harbin Institute of Technology.
The main aim of GITSS is to promote advancements in intelligent, connected, integrated, and green transportation systems by bringing together researchers to share the latest updates and innovations in areas such as green and low-carbon mobility, traffic safety, smart-city operations and more.
During the conference, Mr Alfonso highlighted how the project has scaled up mobility measures in Madrid, presenting the innovative measures already implemented in the city.
In the city of Madrid, the project has focused on several key areas:
Enhancing multi-level governance and fostering active stakeholder involvement;
Upgrading multimodality at a regional level by improving public transport;
Promoting sustainable logistics through the development of mobility hubs;
Introducing innovative data-driven solutions and Mobility-as-a-Service (Maas) initiatives;
Supporting zero-emissions mobility in alignment with Green Deal objectives
Transforming Madrid into a bike-friendly city by creating bike lane sections, such as the Castellana Cycling Lane.
The conference attracted around 50 participants, from various universities across China, primarily from the Harbin Institute of Technology.
The participants were keen to learn more about public and private involvement in the SCALE-UP and in transportation projects. The discussion led to a broader conversation on the European Commission's Research and Innovation framework, funding opportunities and more.
Additionally, Mr Kurano was invited as a guest lecturer at the School of Mechanical Engineering of the Beijing Institute of Technology, where he presented SCALE-UP as an example of the complexities involved in managing data within multi-stakeholder environments. Also, his insights were shared with over 20 students during a hybrid course at the School of Computer and Information Technology of Beijing Jiaotong University, where he highlighted the complexity of data management in a multi-stakeholder environment.
The participation of the SCALE-UP project in this international conference underscores the SCALE-UP project's growing influence and its commitment to sharing best practices on a global stage.
Author: Eftychia Koliou (Smart Transportation Alliance)