Challenges
The city of Cres faces the challenge of transport connections between smaller settlements and the urban centre. As public transport is not optimally adapted to the needs of all residents, a large number of households depend on private cars. Older citizens and residents without own transport often find it difficult to access key services such as healthcare, education and supply. The aim of the testing was to explore the possibilities of introducing flexible transport on demand (DRT), which would enable better connection of remote parts of the island with the settlement of Cres as an urban centre and optimize public transport in accordance with the real needs of users.
Solutions
Through the program Test Before Invest and with the support of EDIH Adria, the City of Cres has tested a digital on-demand transport solution that would allow residents to plan their trips flexibly. The concept of the DRT system was tested, which allows users to book rides through a mobile application, predefined pick-up points and algorithms that optimize routes and reduce operating costs.
The project included several key steps:
- Population survey to collect data on transport needs
- Creating a digital transport demand model with a focus on the Beli – Cres routes
- Simulation of DRT systems with different vehicle availability and service frequency scenarios
- Elaboration of functional requirements of the digital system, including application for passengers, drivers and operational platform
During the testing, good practices of similar solutions in the EU were also analysed, such as: London Dial-a-Ride i UPPER Project, to identify the best implementation strategies.
Results and Benefits
Testing has shown that the introduction of the DRT system could significantly improve the transport connectivity of the islands. Key benefits include:
- Increased availability of public transport for residents of remote settlements
- Reducing dependency on passenger cars, contributing to sustainability and reducing emissions
- Optimising costs by reducing the number of unused rides
- Improving the mobility of vulnerable groups, including older people and learners
A digital system would allow a more efficient use of resources, adapting journeys to the real needs of users and reducing the operating costs of traditional public transport.
Lessons learned
Testing has shown that successful implementation of the DRT system requires a clear definition of user needs and precise planning of operational parameters. Key challenges include:
- Adaptation of algorithms for route optimization to the specific needs of the island
- Alignment of the system with existing public transport and ferry lines
- Ensuring a sufficient number of vehicles in order to maintain the quality of service
- Educating users on the use of digital tools for booking transport
Further research should focus on testing different funding models and the sustainability of such a system at the local level.
Measurable data
Simulations have shown that:
- Implementation of the DRT system could reduce the average waiting time for transportation by 40-60%
- 70% residents were willing to use on-demand transportation instead of private cars
- The introduction of an optimised transport model could reduce operator costs by 30% in relation to traditional methods of public transport
- The number of completed rides could increase by 50% reducing the number of unused capacity
Conclusion
Testing the DRT system on the island of Cres has shown how the digital transformation of public transport can improve the availability and efficiency of transport infrastructure in rural areas. Although this is a test phase, the results suggest that the implementation of such a model could significantly improve the mobility of residents and provide more environmentally sustainable transport.
The next steps include further elaboration of the business model and evaluation of financial possibilities for eventual implementation. This initiative can serve as an example of the digitalisation of transport in other smaller environments across Croatia.
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