European cities and regions strive for energy efficiency to meet the Europe 2020 goals on climate change
and energy sustainability. At present, the transport sector is one of the main sources of greenhouse gas
emissions due to the dependence on fossil fuels. The switch to renewable energies together with
improvements in energy efficiency often cause rebound effects (e.g. increased use as a result of the
environmentally friendly image) and therefore only partially serves the objectives sought. Hence, making the
current mobility behavior more sustainable is of major importance to tackle environmental challenges and
secure a high standard of living in European cities and regions.
Many cities already offer a well-developed and efficient transport network for public and individual
transport. Previous efforts concentrated on a shift from car to public transport to improve transport
performance within the city, avoid congestion and reduce air pollution. Taking into account progressive
urbanization, it is obvious that public transport will reach its limits without major improvements (new lines,
decreases in intervals) which are slow and very expensive and hence cannot be the sole solution. Together
with the increasing individualization of society, more flexibility is needed. Therefore, an additional pool of
mobility options targeting these user requirements and needs has to be provided.
In the EU project “Smarter Together” CO2 savings are targeted by implementing projects in the fields of
energy, renovation and mobility in Lyon, Munich and Vienna. An essential part of the project is the
introduction of additional low emission mobility options in the Viennese project area in the northwest of the
11th Viennese district covering 1.5 km2. The area is well linked to public transport and the general
transportation network. Our research focusses on the potential of mobility behavior changes in such a
wellconnected area in terms of the individual and public transport network, and on opportunities provided by
additional services (e.g. sharing offers) and challenges in the implementation of theses new services.
To develop successfull new concepts, residents’ requirements and needs have to be taken into account.
Hence, a survey was conducted to capture information on mobility behavior and available vehicles, attitudes
of the residents towards certain transport modes and willingness to use active modes, e-mobility and sharing
services. The survey, including roughly 1% of the area population (N=21,300; n=241), was conducted
partially online and partially face-to-face to ensure participation among different groups. Based on the
collected data, the potential for alternative low emission mobility options was captured in a multi-level
survey analysis. The results disclosed challenges and opportunities related to current options concerning user
friendliness and communication strategies of existing services along with crucial points for the
implementation of additional options.
One of the results showed that sharing services are hardly known to the residents. The participants revealed
that e-bikes are not yet considered as an appropriate form of transportation since their features and
advantages are not known. Offering car- or e-bike sharing services therefore does not only require a location
with certain characteristics but also campaigns targeting the lack of knowledge. Active mobility has a good
standing, particularly cycling. Many residents want to cycle more, but the surrounding structure does not
encourage them, e.g. due to missing public bike parking at shopping facilities, transport stations and
transportation hubs. Public transport is already heavily used, but could be stronger linked to other types of
transportation. This should be achieved by implementing a “mobility point” offering locally bundled
mobility options and information. The “mobility point” links different (multimodal) mobility services and
acts as a major component of ICT solutions. This relatively new concept leaves ample room for additional
low emission mobility options within the area leading to greater support, services and satisfaction to the
travelers and users