Fostering networking and cooperation opportunities addressing regions with seasonal traffic peaks

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FOSTERING NETWORKING AND COOPERATION OPPORTUNITIES
ADDRESSING REGIONS WITH SEASONAL TRAFFIC PEAKS
Evangelos MITSAKIS & Yannis TYRINOPOULOS – Centre for Research and
Technology Hellas, Hellenic Institute of Transport, Greece (Governmental Research
Agency)
Iris PEIN – Austrian Mobility Research, Austria
Abstract
DELTA “Concerted coordination action for the promotion of efficient multimodal
interfaces”, a coordination action funded by the European Union under the 7th
Framework Programme, aims to address the problems and needs associated with
regional passenger transport systems facing high and steep seasonal transport demand.
The project will define and validate intelligent mobility tools and practices guidelines,
as well as policy guidelines addressing the optimum management of seasonal
transport demand for regions with proven relevant problems. The end result of the
project is a Decision Support Instrument (DSI) aiming to assist local transport or other
agencies to apply techniques and strategies that minimize the unnecessary passenger
trips, create efficient multimodal interfaces and synergies between the local transport
means, and maximize the use of their resources.
Networking is an essential element of DELTA. The project will bring together local
authorities, governmental agencies, experts and other stakeholders in order to
stimulate an effective exchange of data, knowledge and experiences. This goal will be
addressed through an online networking tool. The main services of this network are:
 Use the DELTA Decision Support Instrument.
 Networking, including online thematic discussion groups and provision of
contact details of network members.
 Region promotion through the use of selected texts, photos and videos based on
structured forms aiming to promote innovative local mobility measures.
 News and announcements including international conferences, congresses,
workshops, local events or actions, news and any other interesting information
on the thematic area of DELTA.
 Provision of links to related projects, associations, regions, organizations, and
libraries for further information.
 Provision of access to a database including DELTA results, deliverables of
other projects, official documentation on mobility management, articles &
papers.
The users of this online network are primarily Regions (local governmental
authorities or local policy makers), Experts (individual experts or organizations) and
Visitors (guests of the network). The benefits these users can gain through their
membership in this network entail:
 Meet similar-minded colleagues/regions around the globe.
 Compare and exchange ideas and experiences with other regions with similar
problems and needs.
 Get access to databases of technical information and documentation.

 Explore opportunities for networking online and at various meetings.
 Participate in future events where practical solutions, ideas and best practices
will be presented and discussed.
 Market local and innovative mobility management measures worldwide.
The DELTA online networking tool is a Web 2.0 application, which facilitates
interactive information sharing, interoperability, user-centered design and
collaboration on the World Wide Web. The tool has been designed and built upon a
structured SQL database, with dynamic .php modules providing the end-web-services
to the network users.
The innovative element of the DELTA project is its target groups. The research
conducted in the project so far has shown that less attention has been paid in the field
of seasonal traffic peaks in areas with strong variation of transport demand. The
DELTA online networking tool is dedicated to those regions facing seasonal traffic
peaks and gives them the space for finding mobility solutions and networking
opportunities.