How multifunctional mobility hubs link urban logistics, parking and sustainable mobility
The increasing densification of urban areas is presenting cities across Europe with fundamental challenges. Growing traffic flows, rising delivery traffic, ambitious climate targets and the desire for a higher quality of life are all competing for the same limited public space. This conflict of interests is particularly evident when it comes to parking: whilst residents, commuters, commercial traffic and logistics operations all claim space, there is a simultaneous need to create space for cycling, public transport and green spaces.
Against this backdrop, so-called mobility hubs are becoming increasingly important. They are seen as a means of bringing together different mobility and logistics services in one place and making more efficient use of existing space. The European research project MoLoHubs (Mobility and Logistics Hubs), which is funded as part of the Interreg North Sea Region Programme, is testing various hub concepts in several cities across the North Sea region. The aim is to develop new approaches to multimodal mobility whilst simultaneously improving parking management and urban logistics.
Rethinking parking management
Whilst parking management has long been associated primarily with managing parking spaces or park-and-ride systems, the MoLoHubs concept takes a much more comprehensive approach. Mobility hubs are intended not only to accommodate vehicles, but also to link different modes of transport and services. This creates multifunctional infrastructure that supports both passenger transport and logistics processes.
One focus of the project is on the more efficient use of scarce inner-city space. Instead of reserving individual parking spaces exclusively for a single purpose, areas are to serve different purposes depending on the time of day or demand. This allows existing space to be managed more flexibly without necessarily having to create additional infrastructure.
Amsterdam is trialling ‘Park and Switch’
The Dutch capital, Amsterdam, provides a particularly illustrative example. As part of the project, the ‘Park and Switch’ (P+S) concept is being trialled there.
The starting point is a challenge typical of many European city centres: service and maintenance technicians need their vehicles to transport tools and materials. At the same time, narrow streets, limited parking facilities and low-emission zones make it difficult to use large vans in the city centre.
In the pilot project, technicians first park their transport vehicles at a mobility hub outside the particularly congested city centre area. They then switch to smaller, locally emission-free vehicles that are better suited for use in the city centre. Depending on the nature of the job, cargo bikes, small electric vehicles or motorised two-wheelers are used.
Practical trials have shown that different tasks require different vehicle configurations. The vehicles used have therefore been specifically tailored to the requirements of the respective service teams, ensuring that tools and equipment can still be transported in full.
For the technicians, this not only reduces the often time-consuming search for a parking space but also cuts down on journey times within heavily congested city centre areas.
Five cities as real-world laboratories
The various hub concepts are currently being tested in Aalborg, Amsterdam, Borås, Hamburg and Mechelen. The aim is to compare different operational scenarios and gain insights into how mobility hubs can improve urban mobility and logistical processes.
In addition to reducing inner-city traffic volumes, the focus is particularly on the appeal of multimodal transport hubs and user-oriented logistics services.
New perspectives for urban planning
Mobility hubs influence not only traffic flows but also long-term urban development. If mobility services are bundled at central locations, the need for traditional parking spaces directly adjacent to residential or commercial buildings decreases.
This opens up new possibilities for land use. Plots of land previously earmarked for car parks or multi-storey car parks may, in future, be partially available for other uses. At the same time, investment costs for parking facilities are reduced, which, under certain conditions, may also have an impact on construction costs.
Mobility hubs are thus increasingly becoming an integral part of integrated urban development strategies, in which transport planning, property development and public infrastructure are considered together.
Using space flexibly rather than statically
Another fundamental principle of the project is to manage public transport spaces more dynamically.
Until now, many sections of road or kerbs have served the same function throughout the day. In future, the same areas could be used differently depending on the time of day. Loading bays for delivery traffic, for example, could serve as short-term parking spaces or parking areas outside of delivery times. During events or in special traffic situations, spaces could be reallocated at short notice.
However, this flexible use requires cities to know at all times how their traffic spaces are currently being used.
Data as the basis for intelligent space management
The Curb Data Specification (CDS) plays an important role here. This is a standardised data framework that helps cities digitally map and manage kerb and road spaces.
Standardised interfaces can be used to provide both static information – such as permanent regulations – and dynamic data on temporary uses. At the same time, current occupancy can be analysed and changes communicated in real time.
The standard is supported by the Open Mobility Foundation (OMF), an open-source organisation that develops digital tools for mobility management. Numerous European cities are already using this approach to manage their kerb infrastructure more transparently.
This creates the basis for dynamic space management, in which different uses can be flexibly combined.
Successful mobility strategies require acceptance
However, according to the project partners, technical solutions alone are not enough. Mobility hubs alter existing traffic and parking structures and thus directly affect the use of public space.
It is therefore crucial to involve residents, businesses and potential users at an early stage. Only by clearly communicating what alternatives are emerging and what benefits they bring can such concepts be established in the long term.
At the same time, cities need a detailed understanding of their traffic flows. In addition to vehicle movements, locations, destinations, delivery traffic and the integration of different modes of transport also play an important role. Only on this basis can the location, size and facilities of a mobility hub be planned to meet actual needs.
The public sector as coordinator
Unlike many technology-driven mobility projects, MoLoHubs focus less on the development of new vehicles or digital applications and more on the role of the public sector.
Local authorities take on the task of interlinking different mobility services, creating suitable framework conditions and bringing together various stakeholders. At the same time, dialogue with industry, logistics companies, mobility providers and other partners remains a key factor for success.
More than just a parking concept
Experience from the pilot projects shows that mobility hubs go far beyond traditional park-and-ride facilities. They combine logistics, passenger transport, sharing schemes and digital space management into an integrated mobility concept.
In view of increasing urbanisation, growing delivery traffic and rising demands for sustainable mobility, such multifunctional infrastructure could play an important role in the transport planning of European cities in the future. Not only do they create new opportunities for more efficient parking management, but they also help to relieve pressure on inner-city transport networks and enable more flexible use of scarce space.
The insights gained through the MoLoHubs project are therefore likely to provide impetus for future mobility and urban development concepts across Europe, extending beyond the participating model cities.
