The IDEA project, developed by the Center for Innovation, Technology and Policy Research (IN+) and the Centre of Engineering and Product Development (CEiiA), for Porto City Hall, won the Global Mobi Awards PRIO, in “Cities” category. The award aims to reward municipalities that implement decarbonising transport projects, accessibility and smart mobility, with a greater impact on the population. The award ceremony took place on 12th May.
“It is an honour to see this project being recognised with such a distinct award as the Global Mobi Awards Prio 2021, in the “Cities” category”, says Patrícia Baptista, researcher at IN+ and Técnico representative in this innovative project.
IDEA – Shared and efficient use of public roads – proposes an innovative and disruptive approach of the use of parking spaces next to school areas, proposing a new shared and flexible concept of the road, more efficient, safer and with benefits to air quality.
IN+ was responsible for the quantification of energy and environmental impacts associated with the implementation of this concept. “This concept was scientifically validated and published in 2019, in the Transport Policy international journal, and included all its advantages. Currently, it is implemented in 18 areas in the city of Porto”, says Patrícia Baptista.
According to the researcher, “the sharing of parking spaces promotes efficiency regarding urban space use, with benefits for all users. It also aims to prevent double-parking, thus enabling a safer and more efficient traffic”.
One of the advantages of IDEA, which has influenced the jury’s decision, is the fact that it is easily carried out in different places, at lower costs: vertical and horizontal signposting and respective dissemination.
“The municipalities can take a more proactive role in urban environment, by promoting – with irrelevant costs – a more efficient use of public roads that meets the real needs of citizens”, highlights Patrícia Baptista.
Global Mobi Awards PRIO
These awards are an initiative of the Global Media group, promoted by Dinheiro Vivo and Motor24, in partnership with PRIO.
During the last six months, the jury evaluated 53 applications in ten categories.
The jury decided to give two awards ex aequo to Porto City Hall (IDEA project), and to Coimbra City Hall (Coimbra urban transport project).
