Mobility data collection – low-threshold, safe and resource-efficient

In order to shape the mobility of the future in a targeted manner, the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI) requires accurate data on the mobility movements of the Austrian population (Österreich Unterwegs - ÖU). To this end, mobility data from approximately 15,000 people living in Austria has been collected approximately every 10-15 years and used as a basis for the further development of the mobility system. Other necessary data often has to be collected or generated on an ad hoc basis.

However, in order to be able to present requirements for the mobility system and social changes as a basis for decision-making in a timely manner, ongoing and resource-efficient monitoring of mobility data is required.

Due to quality requirements, the Federal Ministry focuses on personal interviews on site in its current ÖU (Österreich Unterwegs - ÖU) survey method, in which the route chains are validated as tracking results from the smartphones of the test subjects (the recorded routes are checked and manually assigned to route purposes afterwards). In addition, a survey of mobility-related and socio-demographic characteristics is conducted, which requires considerable resources (both human and financial). Furthermore, there are certain population groups that are difficult or impossible to reach (e.g. people with low levels of formal education). Another reason for the currently very high costs is data protection requirements. In order to reflect reality as accurately as possible, various population groups must be included. However, there are currently language, social and cultural barriers that make the interviews difficult.

In summary, the interval between current mobility surveys is too long to provide a solid basis for timely, evidence-based policy decisions in Austria. The overarching and long-term goal is to establish an efficient and sustainable data collection process in order to continuously gather reliable mobility indicators and other relevant data. An annual publication of the most important, representative mobility indicators is planned. In order to continuously provide meaningful mobility data of comparable quality, the first step is to develop innovative and digital solutions that make continuous mobility data collection possible in the first place, while at the same time using resources efficiently, especially in times of budget constraints.

In this IÖB challenge, the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI) is looking for digital solutions that enable the secure annual collection of mobility data from the population. The digital solution, for example in the form of a smartphone app, allows for low-threshold and cost-effective data collection. Companies should pay particular attention to ensuring that the solution is easy for citizens to use, so that willingness to participate is correspondingly high. In addition, software solutions such as apps should run in the background without active intervention and with low battery consumption (< 3%/hour).

Submitted solutions should clearly explain how data integrity and GDPR compliance can be ensured in data collection. In addition, the new solution should be as simple and easily adaptable and upgradeable as possible in order to guarantee its usability over a long period of time. To this end, open interfaces and the option of connecting third-party solutions should be provided. In addition, the most important data should be presented clearly for those collecting it and, if possible, for citizens as well, for example in a clear dashboard. Optionally, providers can show what a possible interface for other (public) actors might look like. The aim is to find a solution that can be operated with minimal labour while still providing accurate data to enable future mobility needs to be determined.

Only the most important, representative mobility indicators should be collected, but these should be of high quality. The solution should be available in several languages, easy to understand and accessible to all, in order to include as many people living in Austria as possible in the survey. Ideas on how to get participants to take part in the survey in a playful way (gamification) are welcome, and nudging ideas can also make the digital solution more attractive. However, the submission must explain how the representativeness of the sample can be maintained despite these incentives.
This market survey is open to submissions of products already available on the market or ready for market, as well as innovative concepts that can be implemented within a few months with little development effort.

Non-objectives:

• Very complex and difficult to implement/very resource-intensive solutions
• Theoretical approaches that can only be implemented in practice with considerable effort, even if they would provide more accurate/scientific data
• Solutions with a long implementation phase
• Stationary/generic surveys: no general evaluations such as the evaluation of mobile phone data or frequency measurements
• Interfaces transport

Take advantage of this opportunity to present your innovative approaches. The Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI) is looking for companies or cooperation partners that already offer concrete products and solutions that enable the efficient collection of mobility data.
Companies can submit their applications using the online form:

Description
Focus primarily on which specific steps of data collection (e.g. survey design, participant recruitment, implementation, quality assurance of the collected data, evaluation/extrapolation, presentation of results) your solution will specifically cover and how it is planned to be implemented. Describe the overall approach of your solution (e.g. a smartphone app) and how ongoing support or training costs are taken into account in addition to technical implementation. Also explain whether your solution is an on-premise or cloud solution.

The focus of the description should match the evaluation criteria and the requirements described. Please note that the technical approach behind the submitted solution should be presented as transparently as possible. In addition, both the development of the idea/product and the approach used behind the new solution should be presented in a clear and easily understandable manner.

If possible, provide convincing examples of use cases and references. Share your ideas regarding the course of the project (wishes, notes to the project managers).

Summary of added value
Summarise the unique selling point and key advantages! What makes your solution particularly innovative? What sets it apart?

Confidential information (for the jury only): Give us an idea of what your proposal would involve in terms of finances and effort. This will help the Ministry to design the procurement project within the right framework at an early stage. Please feel free to describe this information with reference to the reference project.

In this text field, you can enter additional information that you wish to share exclusively with the project managers. Alternatively, you can send a PDF file by email to the challenge moderator.

You will also need a cover image. This will be your visual representation in the overview of submissions for this challenge.

You also have the option of attaching a file. This file should supplement the text in the form fields, but not replace or repeat it! Use the file attachment for graphics, for example.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Submissions from consortia are welcome. Keep your submission brief (guideline: maximum 10–12 presentation slides or 4–5 A4 pages). We are currently in the market exploration phase of the challenge. It is therefore not necessary to prepare drafts or feasibility studies specifically for this occasion.
References

If you already have a market-ready product, please include references or reference projects, including photos, with your submission.