Skip to main content

Transatlantic collaboration in mobility data standardization

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

In the rapidly advancing landscape of shared mobility and digitalization, the need for collaboration on central digital technologies becomes vital. While established Nordic partnerships are working well within Europe, cooperation with the United States in this area remains limited. Recognizing the success of mobility actors in the United States in regards to standardization efforts, a Nordic initiative aimed to bridge the gap and contribute with valuable insights to transatlantic collaborations.

MAn smiling

In the past decade, mobility actors in the United States have been successful in creating new technologies that have spread globally through pragmatic standardization work. Initiatives such as Mobility Data Specification (MDS), General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) and OpenTripPlanner are therefore central to combined mobility also in the Nordic countries, but Swedish involvement in these contexts today is limited and uneven. This means that wishes and requirements from the Swedish context are not implemented to the degree that would be desirable in these technologies. Discussions with interested parties in the Nordics and Sweden reveal that moving forward with such demands and wishes requires both competence and resources that few individual organizations have the opportunity to muster. 

At the same time, the Nordic countries are well advanced in terms of national coordination, harmonization and reuse of public transport data. Both Sweden, Norway and Denmark can today publish and reuse nationally comprehensive data sets for the public transport industry in accordance with established standards. However, this ability is currently lacking in, for example, actors at the state level in the United States, who see this type of data sharing as central to an increased seamlessness between different cities, for example. Here, experiences from Nordic organizations such as Samtrafiken and Entur, as well as results from initiatives such as "Kraftsamling öppna Trafikdata" (Arnestrand, Lundh, Rudmark, & Östlund, 2017) are valuable in a United States context. 

The response 

The project, Shared Standards for Shared Mobility, sought to examine how Swedish/Nordic long-term participation in United States standardization initiatives could be organized and financed. Through such increased coordination, better technical support for Swedish/Nordic requirements regarding mobility can be created, and the United States contexts can benefit from Nordic experiences. The second aim of the Shared Standards for Shared Mobility was to facilitate knowledge exchange regarding data sharing and harmonization of public transport data from Nordics/Sweden to the USA. The project also aimed to investigate how more long-term cooperation with mutual benefits could be established. 

The project partners consisted of RISE - Research Institutes of Sweden, Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI).

Man in studio

“The project has provided invaluable insights into what actually drives public sector participation in transatlantic technology standardization initiatives, and that standards play a pivotal role for technology transfer within the mobility domain. However, stronger US-Swedish collaboration will require addressing emerging EU regulations on data sharing.”

Daniel Rudmark, Senior Research Leader, Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI)

 

Implemented activities

 Digital accompaniment 

The project investigated how previous work in Sweden that uses open transport data could be transferred across the Atlantic. Among the options discussed, digital accompaniment for the visually impaired in public transport was the most interesting. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk66LipTlp8). By using new technical solutions such as more detailed satellite navigation, augmented reality (AR), and open traffic data, the accessibility of public transport for people with disabilities can increase, primarily for those with visual impairments. The goal was to, by developing digital twins and accessibility-adapted navigation solutions based on stop information, enable these individuals to travel more sustainably and safely, through an increased understanding of e.g. mobile navigation in complex environments. Since the solution was based on the open standards GTFS, GTFS-RT and the map platform OpenStreetMap, there were great opportunities to easily move the work to new contexts, e.g. in the United States.

During the project, talks have been held with several American actors, including the California Integrated Travel Project (Cal-ITP). One condition for implementing cooperation, however, was that Cal-ITP would receive a larger grant from American authorities that they applied for in competition. As Cal-ITP did not receive the grant, they couldn't proceed with the project proposal during the Future Mobility project. 

Talks have also been held with Johns Hopkins University and the city of Baltimore. Both parties have expressed interest in future collaboration, for example regarding future calls for tenders within Vinnova's collaboration with the National Science Foundation.

Helsingbotica  
The project engaged with the Open Mobility Foundation (OMF) and delved into the Mobility Data Specification (MDS) and Curb Data Specification (CDS). [1]

Roundtable discussions, particularly one on micro-mobility with a focus on MDS, were conducted in Sweden. Key figures from OMF, including Executive Director Andrew Glass Hastings, presented the latest developments and plans for MDS. Discussions emphasized MDS as a tool for cities to manage and monitor micro-mobility services, like e-scooters and delivery robots, highlighting its role in fostering sustainable and efficient urban mobility.

The project HelsingBotica came about as a direct consequence of these discussions and through additional network support from Future Mobility. HelsingBotica is a research project that explores data sharing for micromobility and delivery robots in the city of Helsingborg. The aim is to contribute to the development of infrastructure for the vehicles of the future by developing capabilities for data sharing between micromobility and the city. The project focuses on identifying feasible pilot tests for delivery robots and showing how data is exchanged through MDS. An important aspect is that the project can also contribute to the development of walking and cycling infrastructure. This is done by understanding and analyzing how the physical infrastructure affects the performance of micromobility vehicles and pedestrians, and how this can contribute to an attractive and safe city. The project involves several actors, including the city of Helsingborg, Univrses AB, Hugo Delivery AB and VTI, and strives to increase knowledge about the condition of pedestrian and bicycle paths and address road safety issues. 

MAn smiling

“Future Mobility has been instrumental in providing contacts and sharing their networks, facilitating collaborations that otherwise would have virtually been impossible to achieve.”

 

Project outcomes and learnings 

1. Concrete challenges drive transatlantic engagement

The project underscored the necessity of concrete challenges to drive engagement in transatlantic standardization efforts. While issues related to electric scooters were deemed resolved, the emergence of autonomous delivery robots presented an opportunity for proactive participation.

2. Regulatory and technical interoperability misalignment

Regulatory interoperability emerged as a significant hurdle, fueled by the complexity of the European regulatory landscape, particularly GDPR. Even though the technical capabilities within the standards were attractive, Swedish entities feared straying from EU-centric standards due to uncertainties surrounding compatibility with existing and future European regulations.

3. Pace of standardization: a European challenge

The project highlighted the disparity in the pace of standardization between the United States and Europe. While United States initiatives like MDS progressed rapidly through user-driven, open processes, European standards such as NeTEx followed a more extended cycle, prompting discussions on the suitability of the European standardization system for digital standards.

4. Mapping regulatory opportunities

There is a critical need to map regulatory opportunities for public entities to leverage global de facto standards not developed within the EU. This is essential to prevent potential scenarios where less suitable EU-developed standards are enforced, limiting the market for system providers. 

Learn more

Technology screen is cool lighted in a futuristic setting which seems to be a studio

Shared Standards for Shared Mobility

Given the digitalization of shared mobility, the need for participating actors to collaborate around central digital technologies increases. One aim of the project is to facilitate knowledge exchange...
Man smiling into the camera

Hans Pohl

Future Mobility
Program Director
The San Fransisco bridge with the sun setting in the background. Beautiful lighted clouds in yellow gives a hopeful tone to the picture

What we offer actors in Sweden

Collaboration with the United States can deliver innovations that would not be possible to obtain otherwise. Collaboration with the United States can deliver innovations that would not be possible to...
Bus drivers through sunny fields

What we offer actors in the United States

Sweden is very active in the development and use of greener vehicles and fuels. It has a strong public transport system, high sustainability ambitions and is considered among the most innovative...
People standing in a circle and smiling

Start an innovation collaboration with funding from Future Mobility

Future Mobility aims to contribute to new or strengthened innovation collaborations between Sweden and the United States within sustainable mobility. We finance strategic projects that boost research...

News flow

Persons on stage

Future Mobility Showcases United States-Sweden Collaborations at International Mobility Data Summit 2024

2024-11-05
Future Mobility just participated in the International Mobility Data Summit 2024 in Montreal, bringing mobility innovators from all over the world together. The summit highlighted the critical role...
woman and man standing on a stage

Newsletter from Future Mobility

2024-10-28
In the latest issue of the newsletter you'll find an invitation to an in-depth look at robotaxis and automated trucks in North America, a video interview with Polestar on how Sweden and California is...
Man and woman standing in a broadcast studio, smiling into the camera

Experience Sharing – Innovation Collaboration: United States & Sweden

2024-10-21
In a recent workshop, we brought together eleven US-based leaders of Future Mobility projects to exchange insights on collaboration between Sweden and the United States. Engaging discussions...
Woman smiling

Interview about Sweden-US Collaboration: Empowering EVs to both consume and supply energy

2024-10-04
As the EV fleet expands, both in Sweden and California, the demand for electricity rises significantly. This Future Mobility project, led by Polestar in collaboration with the Electric Power Research...
Man smiling in to the camera

Future Mobility connects companies on both sides of the Atlantic

2024-09-25
Go West. That's how Future Mobility wants to get Swedish suppliers to think. With one person based in California, Future Mobility has built up a knowledge of automotive companies in the Silicon Valley...
Man speaking in to a camera

"There is no better time for the United States and Sweden to be collaborating"

2024-08-28
Join us online on September 3rd for the event Driving Vehicle Electrification, Sweden-US Innovation Collaboration Opportunities, and get: → Exclusive Insights from John Boesel, CEO of Calstart on the...
Man standing on stage talking out to a audience

Which experiences can Sweden share with and learn from the United States to reduce traffic jams on highways?

2024-08-28
The Swedish universities Linköpings universitet and Kungliga Tekniska högskolan are collaborating with the US startup Xtelligent on a project to develop a visual dashboard to provide real-time...
School buss driving on the road

New Project Harvests Road Data with Connected, Electric School Buses

2024-07-02
Future Mobility has announced the launch of its first funded strategic project titled "Harvesting Road Data with Connected, Electric School Buses." This international innovation collaboration between...
A portrait of Hannah Wilson and Henry Nolmark

Future Mobility project aims for a new transportation approach for women and caregivers

2024-06-05
As urban mobility infrastructure rapidly evolves, a Future Mobility project wants to make sure the needs of women are not left behind. In collaboration with the US, it aims to support the creation of...
Woman talking to a crowd of people on a stage

Start an innovation collaboration with funding from Future Mobility

2024-05-30
Future Mobility aims to contribute to new or strengthened innovation collaborations between Sweden and the United States within sustainable mobility. We finance strategic projects that boost research...
MAn smiling

Transatlantic collaboration in mobility data standardization

2024-05-29
In the rapidly advancing landscape of shared mobility and digitalization, the need for collaboration on central digital technologies becomes vital. While established Nordic partnerships are working...
Johan

Johan Löfvenholm appointed new CEO of Lindholmen Science Park

2024-05-20
The board of Lindholmen Science Park AB has appointed Johan Löfvenholm as the new CEO of the company. With extensive experience in the automotive industry, he will begin his new role in August...
A photo of people on a street with stores, cafes and no vehicles.

New tool to support data-driven decision in street planning

2024-05-15
A Future Mobility project enables the creation of more sustainable and livable streets
Man talking to the camera at an event, people mingling in the bakground

US-Sweden collaboration for zero emission trucks

2024-04-22
Exchange for more BETs is a Future Mobility-funded project and collaborative effort between Sweden and the United States. The project goal is to have actors in Sweden and the United States share...
Person on stage having an conversation in front of an audience

Future Mobility at Bifrost Summit 2024

2024-03-26
In the beginning of March 2024, Nordic and US decision-makers gathered in Silicon Valley to discuss innovation and collaboration at Bifrost Summit 2024. This third annual summit focused on AI and...
A portrait of Vanessa Stjernborg

Swedish and US researchers collaborate to advance transport justice

2024-03-06
In the pursuit of sustainable mobility and equal access to transportation, researchers are exploring the concept of spatial justice, which seeks to ensure fair distribution and accessibility of...
Porträtt av man

Future Mobility on Bifrost Summit Week

2024-02-22
Bifrost is a week-long event, bridging the Nordics and Silicon Valley to spark innovations for environmental sustainability. From March 4-8, 2024, it offers a packed schedule with a major conference...
A poster, the background is displaying a road network from above where car lights lights the streets in a blue cool color. On it, a big text says: 2024 US autotech program.

Registration is now open for the 2024 US Autotech Program

2024-02-16
Now in its 3rd year, the US Autotech Program, a collaboration between Business Sweden, Vinnova, Drive Sweden, and Future Mobility, continues to support Swedish companies in accelerating their US...
Man in suit smiling in to the camera, standing in a tree alley

Future Mobility welcomes Jan Hellåker to the program

2024-01-23
He joins Future Mobility with a specific focus on the US to identify and foment opportunities for bilateral collaboration in sustainable mobility.
Illustration of house with solar panels and a car on the drive way which is connected to the power

Polestar aims to transform electric vehicles into mobile power plants

2024-01-22
In the Future Mobility-funded innovation project, Polestar, the Electric Power Research Institute, and the California Energy Commission are developing a roadmap towards the use of electric vehicles...
Man smiling into the camera

Successful knowledge exchange between Sweden and the USA to strengthen sustainable mobility

2024-01-09
Sweden and California, renowned for their innovation cultures, have collaborated in the Sweden California CoLab project to share experiences, promote sustainable mobility, and reduce emissions from...
A Cake electric motorcycle

San Jose, California, embraces zero emission neighborhoods with innovative Swedish collaboration

2023-12-21
Key to this project is the close collaboration with Future Mobility, a neutral innovation platform facilitated by Sweden's Innovation Agency, Vinnova, and Lindholmen Science Park.
Woman standing on a stage in a red suite. In the background a blue shimmering screen.

Take part of the results from AI AWARE via the recorded version of the Final Conference

2023-12-12
How can data be used to fuel accident risk estimation algorithms? Can digital safe speed recommendations replace existing speed limits? What policy differences exist when exploring data from the...
An electric truck is driving over a bridge in the archipelago in west Sweden

Funding opportunity: we welcome proposals encompassing innovation within sustainable mobility

2023-11-13
Future Mobility welcomes proposals encompassing innovation collaborations between Sweden and the US within sustainable mobility. In this offer, we want to promote partnership, collaboration and...