Periodic Reporting for period 2 - FastTrack (Fostering the Acceleration of Sustainable Transport To Regions and Authorities through Capacity and Knowledge)
Période du rapport: 2022-02-01 au 2023-07-31
Local authorities across Europe are motivated to take bold action to make mobility and transport systems more sustainable. FastTrack addressed the issue of cities lacking the resources (time, financial, personnel, connections) required to keep up with mobility innovations, assess their potential to implement such innovations, and apply them to their unique environment. In view of the current climate crisis and cities' promises to reach European carbon emission reduction targets by 2030, the project assists local governments in accelerating the transformation of their cities via knowledge transfer and capacity building.
FastTrack worked with 23 local areas, Local Affiliates, assisting each in conducting a thorough needs assessment, linking cities with one another, as well as with solution providers and external experts, and implementing a learning programme to help cities build local capacity and overcome obstacles. 4 of the 23 cities have been designated as Local Ambassadors, with the role of assisting other cities in the planning and implementation of innovation actions, as well as hosting Capacity Building Weeks where city representatives met face to face and discussed their challenges and ideas with one another.
FastTrack allowed local leaders and practitioners to connect and become acquainted with mobility innovations. They were then assisted in formulating plans for the quick deployment of mobility innovative solutions suited to their local environment, as well as procurement, project management and planning, business models.
By the project's completion, each LA has developed a Deployment Plan for the fastest adoption of the most beneficial mobility innovations for them.
FastTrack worked with 23 local areas, Local Affiliates, assisting each in conducting a thorough needs assessment, linking cities with one another, as well as with solution providers and external experts, and implementing a learning programme to help cities build local capacity and overcome obstacles. 4 of the 23 cities have been designated as Local Ambassadors, with the role of assisting other cities in the planning and implementation of innovation actions, as well as hosting Capacity Building Weeks where city representatives met face to face and discussed their challenges and ideas with one another.
FastTrack allowed local leaders and practitioners to connect and become acquainted with mobility innovations. They were then assisted in formulating plans for the quick deployment of mobility innovative solutions suited to their local environment, as well as procurement, project management and planning, business models.
By the project's completion, each LA has developed a Deployment Plan for the fastest adoption of the most beneficial mobility innovations for them.
WP1 conducted a needs assessment, which included interviews with LAs as well as a survey. The findings were summarised in 24 site-specific studies and one overarching report, as well as "Innovation Profiles," diagrams used to build the 4 Topic-Based Clusters. These activities ensured that FastTrack support was tailored to the LAs' needs and that partners and LAs had a say in the work schedule, including the content and structure of the clusters. WP1 outcomes were critical to the project since they set the framework for later activities.
The successful completion of the WP2 learning programme allowed all cities to benefit from customised learning activities and information. The implementation approach has been centred on responding to the needs indicated and creating an agile way to respond to them. Allowing cities to get the most benefits from the activities has motivated the whole consortium to plan and carry out WP2-related activities.
FastTrack joined forces with seven Horizon 2020 projects in December 2021 to form the Task Force on "Accelerating Innovation Uptake for Sustainable Transport." FastTrack will lead the cooperation on Work Stream 4, "Capacity building and guideline development," enabling for the alignment of activities and the discovery of synergies to spark learning exchanges using the information and experience developed in those projects.
WP3 was responsible for the Meet the FastTracker events, populating the Exchange Hub, establishing the FastTrack Helpdesk, establishing the Supplier Register, and managing the FastTrack Fund. In general, the Meet the FastTracker Events allowed for serious debate and interaction in order to meet the needs and requirements of the FastTrack Community and to bring together the many stakeholders and actors. The Supplier Register assisted Local Affiliates in finding the expertise they needed to carry out their deployment plans and apply for the FastTrack Fund. By use the Fund to hire external experts to fill any gaps in the production of Deployment Plans, Local Affiliates found bite-sized nuggets of expertise based on local needs and requirements.
WP4 provided to a greater understanding of how the capacity building programme may be adjusted to meet the needs of cities. The assessment frameworks developed aided in the understanding of the cities' profiles, whereas the Innovation Diaries assisted LAs in identifying aspects (e.g. data needs) in light of the desired mobility solution(s) and assisted in their preparation for the Deployment Plan, which the Innovation Diaries will directly feed into.
WP5 was responsible for developing FastTrack's communications and dissemination products, as well as establishing its communication channels. This included developing its visual identity as well as producing print and digital communications items. FastTrack was consistently identifiable by a huge audience because to its distinct, legible, and engaging visual identity, which directly fed into and benefited its ultimate goal of accelerating the adoption of sustainable mobility and transportation innovation. Furthermore, the FastTrack project brochure, infographic, website, and social media platforms continue to equip Local Affiliates with the knowledge they need to guide and support their work. Platforms have been chosen to provide access to crucial content both now and in the future. The project's website, a Moodle e-learning platform - CityConsult Agency, the CIVITAS Resources Hub, as well as BABLE and Eltis, are among them. Strategies for promoting exploitation have also been identified, including informing policy, transferring knowledge through partner channels, and applying FastTrack knowledge in future initiatives. Finally, an exploitation activities calendar has been produced in order to effectively plan for exploitation opportunities.
The successful completion of the WP2 learning programme allowed all cities to benefit from customised learning activities and information. The implementation approach has been centred on responding to the needs indicated and creating an agile way to respond to them. Allowing cities to get the most benefits from the activities has motivated the whole consortium to plan and carry out WP2-related activities.
FastTrack joined forces with seven Horizon 2020 projects in December 2021 to form the Task Force on "Accelerating Innovation Uptake for Sustainable Transport." FastTrack will lead the cooperation on Work Stream 4, "Capacity building and guideline development," enabling for the alignment of activities and the discovery of synergies to spark learning exchanges using the information and experience developed in those projects.
WP3 was responsible for the Meet the FastTracker events, populating the Exchange Hub, establishing the FastTrack Helpdesk, establishing the Supplier Register, and managing the FastTrack Fund. In general, the Meet the FastTracker Events allowed for serious debate and interaction in order to meet the needs and requirements of the FastTrack Community and to bring together the many stakeholders and actors. The Supplier Register assisted Local Affiliates in finding the expertise they needed to carry out their deployment plans and apply for the FastTrack Fund. By use the Fund to hire external experts to fill any gaps in the production of Deployment Plans, Local Affiliates found bite-sized nuggets of expertise based on local needs and requirements.
WP4 provided to a greater understanding of how the capacity building programme may be adjusted to meet the needs of cities. The assessment frameworks developed aided in the understanding of the cities' profiles, whereas the Innovation Diaries assisted LAs in identifying aspects (e.g. data needs) in light of the desired mobility solution(s) and assisted in their preparation for the Deployment Plan, which the Innovation Diaries will directly feed into.
WP5 was responsible for developing FastTrack's communications and dissemination products, as well as establishing its communication channels. This included developing its visual identity as well as producing print and digital communications items. FastTrack was consistently identifiable by a huge audience because to its distinct, legible, and engaging visual identity, which directly fed into and benefited its ultimate goal of accelerating the adoption of sustainable mobility and transportation innovation. Furthermore, the FastTrack project brochure, infographic, website, and social media platforms continue to equip Local Affiliates with the knowledge they need to guide and support their work. Platforms have been chosen to provide access to crucial content both now and in the future. The project's website, a Moodle e-learning platform - CityConsult Agency, the CIVITAS Resources Hub, as well as BABLE and Eltis, are among them. Strategies for promoting exploitation have also been identified, including informing policy, transferring knowledge through partner channels, and applying FastTrack knowledge in future initiatives. Finally, an exploitation activities calendar has been produced in order to effectively plan for exploitation opportunities.
The FastTrack Project has come to an end, and with it comes the opportunity to reflect on the progress accomplished over the past two and a half years. Through established innovation performance methods, the project worked towards understanding the cities’ performance and needs, by efficiently supporting cities in their efforts to achieve high-level goals of sustainability and resilience towards the fast-changing systems.
Throughout the project lifetime FastTrack explored a large number of challenges and learning needs, while several mobility solutions were exchanged. Indicatively, 200 learning needs were brought forward for discussion and more than 100 mobility solutions where exchanged, involving also external EU networks and projects. Eventually, 23 mobility solutions were taken forward for deployment and their implementation was directly linked to 58 obstacles and barriers identifying by the cities.
The feedback from the local representatives shows that for all challenging dimensions, including data collection and management, governance, funding and financing, as well as the capacity to select and implement innovation there has been a positive learning curve. This underlines the positive impact of peer-learning on the capacities and skills of local representatives.
The progress towards the acceleration of innovative mobility solutions was escalated with the delivery of 23 Deployment Plans. The process of DP development was highly appreciated by the cities, as it allowed for a structured definition of the challenges related to and actions that need to be undertaken for the implementation of innovative mobility solution. Accompanied by dedicated workshops on acceleration factors, the DPs also allowed for the cities to reflect upon the condition under which an innovation can be considered as “shovel-ready” for implementation.
Throughout the project lifetime FastTrack explored a large number of challenges and learning needs, while several mobility solutions were exchanged. Indicatively, 200 learning needs were brought forward for discussion and more than 100 mobility solutions where exchanged, involving also external EU networks and projects. Eventually, 23 mobility solutions were taken forward for deployment and their implementation was directly linked to 58 obstacles and barriers identifying by the cities.
The feedback from the local representatives shows that for all challenging dimensions, including data collection and management, governance, funding and financing, as well as the capacity to select and implement innovation there has been a positive learning curve. This underlines the positive impact of peer-learning on the capacities and skills of local representatives.
The progress towards the acceleration of innovative mobility solutions was escalated with the delivery of 23 Deployment Plans. The process of DP development was highly appreciated by the cities, as it allowed for a structured definition of the challenges related to and actions that need to be undertaken for the implementation of innovative mobility solution. Accompanied by dedicated workshops on acceleration factors, the DPs also allowed for the cities to reflect upon the condition under which an innovation can be considered as “shovel-ready” for implementation.