Project overview
Demand REsponsive trAnsport integrating regional Mobility networks for PAssengers in Central Europe
Sustainable mobility offers are improving across central Europe but the various modes are not always seamlessly connected with each other. Such integration is especially challenging in sparsely populated regions but also cities struggle to meet customer expectations perfectly well. The DREAM_PACE developed demand-responsive transport concepts for regional mobility networks. The partners developed a strategy to integrate these into sustainable urban mobility plans and test operational innovations.
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2,82m €
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Project Budget
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80%
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of the Budget is funded by ERDF
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5
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Countries
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9
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Regions
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12
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Partners
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4
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Pilots
Duration
Start date
End date
Project progress
About the project
DREAM_PACE improved accessibility and connectivity in rural and peripheral areas of Central Europe by integrating Public Transport (PT) with Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) services. Over 36 months, the project developed innovative DRT concepts and strengthened the planning and delivery capacities of public authorities and operators. Activities were tailored to six pilot areas with different mobility needs.
In Bologna, Pavia and Budapest, DREAM_PACE improved integration between Demand Responsive Transport and public transport.
In Osttirol and Baden-Württemberg, it supported better coordination among existing Demand Responsive Transport initiatives.
In Split-Dalmatia County, the project tested new integrated Demand Responsive Transport approaches in a greenfield context.
Project partnership
Project partners
Lead partner
SRM Networks and Mobility
Project partner
Total partner budget
299,560 €
Marketing; EU Projects
Total partner budget
223,285 €
Total partner budget
189,604 €
Strategic Knowledge Centre and R&D
Total partner budget
228,100 €
Total partner budget
193,150 €
Department of Economy, EU funds and Agriculture
Total partner budget
265,059 €
Mobility Innovation
Total partner budget
196,100 €
Mobilität
Total partner budget
236,020 €
Institut für Berufliche Bildung und Arbeitslehre (Cluster Mobilitätsforschung)
Address
Sekr. MAR 1-1 - Marchstrasse 23 10587 Berlin
Country
Germany (DE) Web
https://www.arte.tu-berlin.de/menue/arbeitslehretechnik_und_partizipation/
Total partner budget
208,200 €
Infrastructure and Society
Total partner budget
213,760 €
Total partner budget
208,000 €
Roadmap
1
Step 1 - Analysis
This preliminary activity provided an overview on status and trends of Demand Responsive Transport digital and operational innovations in EU and CE regions, and delivered scenarios for the delivery of new services and options.
Governance and planning for public transport, mobility innovations and DRT in CE Regions
Demand Responsive Transport governance and planning
Scenarios for Demand Responsive Transport governance and planning
Demand Responsive Transport Digital And Operational Innovations In CE
Demand Responsive Transport Digital And Operational
Scenarios For Demand Responsive Transport Digital And Operational
2
Step 2 - Living Labs
DREAM_PACE set six Living Labs in order to map and engaged stakeholder, as well as raising awareness among local communities and target groups.
DREAM_PACE project tackled different specific challenges, in areas which have different background conditions.
1. We foster a better integration of Demand Responsive Transport and public transport in Bologna (Italy), Pavia (Italy), Budapest (Hungary).
2. We support a better coordination among existing Demand Responsive Transport initiatives through a bottom-up approach in Osttirol (Austria) and Baden-Wuerttenberg (Germany)
3. We experiment new integrated approaches for Demand Responsive Transport "greenfield" in Split-Dalmatia County (Croatia).
3
Step 3 - Pilots
In step 3, pilots, DREAM_PACE jointly designed innovative digital and service model blueprint enhancing existing and new Demand Responsive Transport networks. This was done pursuing responsiveness in rural/peripheral areas, leveraging digital and operational innovative elements, and nudging change in the decision makers' process.
4
Step 4 - Common Strategy
DREAM_PACE exploited the potential of integrated planning and digital and operational innovations for a common strategy and develop innovative Demand Response Transport modular solutions. The project implementation built on transnational cooperation to guarantee an adequate responsiveness and adaptability of project results to specific characteristics of mobility ecosystems across CE rural and peripheral areas.
5
Step 5 - Communication, Knowledge Transfer, Uptake and Upscale
In step 5, DREAM_PACE fostered the take up and upscaling of Demand Responsive Transport solutions and offer of innovative transport services to public and private decision makers and operators, in order to guiding adopters towards the implementation and upscaling of mobility provision.
News
Events
Pilot actions
Outputs
Mobility planning and governance model for Demand-Responsive Transport integration in public transport in peripheral and low demand areas
The common modular Demand-Responsive Transport model for integrated DRT-PT (D.1.2.3) in peripheral and low demand areas (jointly implemented, validated by testing), consisted in:
- A strategic planning approach to Demand-Responsive Transport (including guidance on data and tariffs);
- A business planning tool for flexible management of DRT-PT;
- A dedicated tendering procedure.
The model was taken up by partners in their mobility planning process. In fact, it complements the SUMP methodological approach enabling the planning of Demand-Responsive Transport measures
Type of output: Solutions
- Co-designed solutions and blueprint for integrated Demand-Responsive Transport
- Annex 1 Bologna Pilot Action A
- Annex 2 Bologna Pilot Action B
- Annex 3 Bologna Pilot Action C
- Annex 4 Bologna Pilot Action D
- Annex BPmodel
- Annex 6 Data Driven Approach To DRT Service Expansion
- Annex 7 Demand-Responsive Transport Dedicated Tendering Procedure (greenfield)
Mobility planning and governance model for Demand-Responsive Transport coordination in peripheral and rural territories
The common modular model for governance and planning of a coordinated Demand-Responsive Transport network enhancing accessibility in peripheral and rural regions (jointly implemented, validated by testing), consisted in:
- A governance scheme for the coordination of Demand-Responsive Transport ;
- A strategic planning approach to Demand-Responsive Transport;
- A business model for crowdsourcing.
The model was taken up by partners in their mobility planning process and complements the SUMP methodological approach enabling the planning of Demand-Responsive Transport measures.
Type of output: Solutions
Enhancing existing Demand-Responsive Transport networks through digital/operational innovations
Partners jointly implemented the components of the modular digital and operational solution based on the blueprint elaborated through the living labs, and test the following: - tools for digitalisation of existing services;
- digital integration between Demand-Responsive Transport and PT;
- operational hybrid Demand-Responsive Transport models enhancing flexibility (based on hotspots, integration of different services);
- new approaches to inclusiveness (including no or simplified booking through interactive screens).
Type of output: Strategies and action plans
Digital/operational model enhancing the existing Demand-Responsive Transport networks providing better integration and coordination
The common modular digital/operational model enhancing Demand-Responsive Transport integration and coordination (D2.2.3), consisted in:
- tools for digitalization of existing services;
- digital integration between Demand-Responsive Transport and PT;
- operational hybrid Demand-Responsive Transport models enhancing flexibility (hotspots, integration of services);
- new approaches to inclusiveness.
The model, tested by partners on specific routes and validated, was taken up and extended to new areas, and promoted to be adopted by more operators.
Type of output: Solutions
New Demand-Responsive Transport service model enhancing accessibility in peripheral and rural areas
A new co-designed service (D.2.2.4) combining the innovation of emerging Demand-Responsive Transport digital platforms and the experience of local PT providers, assigned through a tendering procedure, with high potential of replicability in new rural and peripheral areas. The service, tested in a selected location in the Split-Dalmatia County and validated, was taken up and extended to further rural and peripheral areas in the County. The approach has been promoted to be replicated in other Croatian and CE regions.
Type of output: Solutions
Topic guide Demand-Responsive Transport 3.0 in Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs)
The "Topic guide Demand-Responsive Transport 3.0 in Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs)", built on the outcomes of WP1 and WP2 activities. It provided guidance for planning and delivering innovative, integrated and and inclusive Demand-Responsive Transport services in peripheral and rural areas. The strategy was developed through
a) continuous feedback with other project activities,
b) active dialogue with stakeholders (including the members of the open tech and business community), and
c) the EU consultation process.
Type of output: Strategies and action plans
Jointly developed Demand-Responsive Transport 3.0 action plans for pilot regions
Based on the joint strategy and on the developed solutions, action plans defined and describes priority actions for the take up of Demand-Responsive Transport innovative concepts at local/regional level, competencies, responsibilities and timelines for the implementation within the existing mobility strategies, to make Demand-Responsive Transport innovative approach an integral part of the mobility planning processes. Each action plan focused on the joint strategy and on the take up of solutions implemented on the territory.
Type of output: Strategies and action plans
Project videos
Project documents
Newsletters
Project´s Final Event (13 Nov 2025) Videos Teasers
Final event - Flyer
Four Videos on DRT and DREAM_PACE actions
DREAM_PACE
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Project on social media
Project contact
Giuseppe Liguori