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Multi-modal Optimisation for Road-space in Europe

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - MORE (Multi-modal Optimisation for Road-space in Europe)

Período documentado: 2020-03-01 hasta 2022-02-28

The aim of MORE is to develop and implement procedures for the comprehensive co-design of urban radial routes feeding the European TEN-T network; to accommodate their current and future multi-modal and multi-functional requirements; and to address problems of congestion, sustainability, noise, air pollution, safety, security, liveability, etc., in situations where building new roads is not an option. The focus is on busy urban ‘streets’, that are fronted by shops, commercial premises, housing, etc. and where ‘movement’ includes pedestrians and cyclists and there is a significant ‘place’ function. And to enable city authorities to make the best use of available road-space, by optimally allocating the available capacity dynamically, in space and time; taking advantage of advances in big data and digital eco-systems, in new vehicle technologies and operating systems, and in dynamic traffic signing and lane marking capabilities. While working closely with citizen groups and a wide range of other stakeholder groups, to identify problems and co-design solutions.

International reviews of guidelines, processes and regulations were carried out; key performance indicators developed, to measure the degree to which a street is operating satisfactorily and to set out design requirements when performance is sub-standard. Four tools have been developed to assist in the street-space reallocation design process. MORE tests these tools and procedures through the detailed development of street design packages on ‘stress sections’ along feeder route corridors, in five partner cities on different TEN-T networks. MORE develops new guidelines for optimal urban street-space allocation and disseminates and exploits the outputs widely throughout Europe.
An online survey was completed, collecting data on current road user needs, and a workshop organised with stakeholders to gain further insights (D1.1). A review of road function classification, guidelines on urban road design, objectives, and performance indicators was completed (D1.2). A questionnaire was sent to all WP1 partners asking for information concerning their city, country, or user group. Further material was provided by the MORE ‘user group’ representative partners, on their perspectives and practices.

WP2 deliverables explore the institutional, organizational and political aspects of roadspace allocation, the existing types of traffic regulation, and identify new demands for road use. Workshops were held in the five cities and interviews with key stakeholders were conducted. Site visits and internal technical workshops were organised. See D2.1 D2.2 and D2.3.

WP3 deliverables analyse the trends and challenges of new technologies, investigate future demographic trends and demand patterns that will impact both physical and digital transport-related infrastructure, and analyse future needs from transport infrastructure. A workshop with stakeholders was organised. See D3.1 D3.2 and D3.3.

A package of four sets of street design tools has been developed in WP4, trialled by MORE city partners and enhanced for exploitation. These include: option generation (D4.5) stakeholder engagement and street co-design (D4.6) 3-D micro-simulation of street movement and place activities (D4.7) and three methods for street design option appraisal (D4.8).

WP5 covers the work led by the MORE city partners, D5.1 describes the identification of feeder routes and stress sections, key stakeholder groups, priorities for redesigns and user needs; and the additional surveys and road traffic and pedestrian counts that were undertaken – all as inputs to the preparation of Design Briefs for current conditions. D5.2 sets out Design Briefs for future conditions. D5.3 and D5.4 describe the co-creation of design options, and the modelling and appraisal of these options, for current and future conditions, respectively. These include some quite radical changes to the current street layouts and space allocations. Two further deliverables provide a summary of a cross-site assessment (D5.5) of design outcomes, and an assessment of the potential role of new technologies in supporting improved street operation, including simulations of advanced traffic control strategies and a laboratory trial of LED signs and road markings (D5.6).

WP6 includes the development of a comprehensive Exploitation Strategy (final version in D6.3) setting out exploitable results, target groups to be engaged, examples of the key messages to be used, how the markets will be monitored, and an action plan with short and long-term actions. Key project outputs are summarised in the MORE Handbook (D6.4) and in a series of product fact sheets (D6.5).

WP7 covers all aspects of Dissemination and Engagement. A Strategy (final version D7.7) sets out key target groups, messages and appropriate communication channels; while D7.6 provides a shortened, ‘popular’ version of the Handbook. The MORE project logo, graphic charter, deliverable and presentation templates, project leaflet, roll-up banner and web site were developed early in the project; and six newsletters produced. A Twitter account and LinkedIn group were set up. A launch event, closing conference and a series of TEN-T workshops and MORE Exchange Fora were organised, plus regional events.

WP8: All management-related activities have been completed and deliverables submitted, including progress and budget reports, and a Data Management Plan (final version in D8.8). Three amendments have been agreed with the European Commission. Various project management tools were established, and regular on-line meetings organised. Internal guidance on ethics compliance was produced, with oversight by the Ethics Review Board.
MORE provides a new framework for addressing busy urban streets, recognising that they serve a wide range of ‘movement’ and ‘place’ functions within a street ‘ecosystem’ that has many interdependencies. It also introduces the notion of dynamic street-space management, enabling cities to get more out of the limited street space/capacity, in real time.

The recommended street design process and four practical design tools provide cities with the opportunity to address street redesign in a much more comprehensive and rigorous manner than has previously been possible, through (i) systematic street element option generation and road layout combination testing, (ii) comprehensive engagement in street co-design with stakeholders and local communities, using innovative physical and web-based tools, (iii) adding kerbside and street activities to simulation software (which currently focuses on ‘movement’ activities) and (iv) providing scientific rigour (through formal appraisal) to decisions on street-space allocation that hitherto have been done on an ad-hoc basis.

Working in MORE has enabled city partners to obtain a much richer understanding of how their busy streets operate, and how these contested spaces can be improved through a co-design processes, supported by a range of new tools and insights.
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