Sustainable and inclusive digital mobility services in times of Covid: a case study of Barcelona

In the transport and mobility sector, developments such digitalisation, smart applications, local-based digital services, are radically altering mobility patterns, offering a whole range of mobility innovations that meet the fast-changing lifestyles of Europeans. Nonetheless, while transport public services and products become more interactive and are increasingly offered solely online, different societal groups do not fully benefit from these new opportunities offered by digitalization. In fact, the lack of a proper digital literacy can led to situations of exclusions from many transport services and facilities, as most of them move online or integrate digital elements. The most vulnerable people experiencing mobility exclusion are mainly linked to situations of multiple social disadvantages related to physical impairment, material deprivation (low income, migrants), cultural issues (ethnic minority background), and demographic variables (elderly). National legislation addressed to ensure access to essential mobility services and products has often a limited reach, since technological advances are faster and permeating the mobility ecosystem. Therefore, the design of inclusive mobility solutions has a key role in maximising social inclusion and improve the user experience. The research presented is part of the DIGNITY project – Digital Transport in and for Society (https://www.dignity-project.eu/) – a research European H2020 initiative, aims at promoting a sustainable, integrated and user-friendly digital travel eco-system, which improves accessibility and social inclusion, travel experience and the daily life of all citizens. This, in turn, will foster the use of public transport system, helping the transition towards more sustainable mobility solutions. The project approach combines analysis with concrete actions to make digital mobility services inclusive over the long term, connecting users’ needs and requirements with the provision of mobility services. The key challenges addressed in the project are: i) understanding how the needs and characteristics of all end-users are considered in the design of digital mobility solutions and ii) supporting policymakers to plan long-term strategies to reduce the digital gap in transport innovations, considering vulnerable groups and gender issues. Four case studies (pilots) have been selected in five EU partners countries – Spain, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany – based on their ambitions for working towards inclusive sustainable mobility solutions (https://www.dignity-project.eu/pilots/). This contribution specifically addresses the case study based in Barcelona, one of the leading cities undergoing a smart city transformation. The propensity to use digital transport information and services in the Barcelona Metropolitan Area (BMA) has been assessed through a quantitative survey. The results discuss the habits of Barcelona citizens in current local mobility characterised by Covid-19 pandemics, as well as the need of promoting more inclusive digital solutions, specifically in public transport.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version