Making better choices together
Focusing on practical solutions rather than technological spectacle is at the heart of TNO’s assessment framework. Cities can start by using the framework’s ‘sniff phase’ – a quick initial assessment to determine if an innovation deserves further investigation. ‘This already helps cities save valuable time and resources,’ Isabel says. ‘Not every innovation needs a full analysis.’
For more complex questions, TNO can provide deeper expertise. Nico: ‘First, we help to understand what questions to ask about these innovations. Then we can help to find the answers using our research expertise.’ Isabel adds: ‘We don’t just look at the technical aspects. TNO also investigates the organisational implications, which is crucial for cities implementing these innovations.’
‘Ultimately,’ Nico concludes, ‘it’s about helping cities focus their energy on innovations that really serve their communities. You don’t always need flying taxis to create better mobility for your citizens.’
Real innovation is not always sexy
So what are promising mobility developments that truly have the potential to make a serious impact? From both experts, the answer might be surprising. ‘For me, public mobility and shared bicycles have enormous potential,’ Nico says. ‘Look at the OV-fiets system in the Netherlands – it has created huge benefits for people.’
Isabel agrees: ‘Sometimes the real innovation that helps the most people in a city is finding new ways to use and organise existing vehicles. For example, automated vehicles could really help public mobility, especially in less dense areas – but only if they’re operated as part of a public mobility system. And in cities, the old-fashioned bicycle is still great. You don’t need to innovate the bicycle itself; you just need to ensure people can always find one when they need it, provide proper parking, and build good cycling infrastructure.’
