The IN2CCAM Living Lab Awareness Events continue taking place across Europe, showcasing advancements in Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM). Following the successful launch in Tampere, Trikala hosted its own event last week, demonstrating the transformative potential of CCAM technologies in urban environments.

Trikala, recognized as one of the net-zero cities within the 112 Mission Cities, is leveraging smart solutions to transform its transportation infrastructure. The event highlighted the efforts of project partners eTrikala and ISenseGroup/ICCS in enhancing the city’s mobility through the deployment of on-demand Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs) and the development of Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS).

Engaging stakeholders and showcasing innovations

The event attracted active participation and vibrant discussions among local authorities, stakeholders including bus and taxi operators, municipal staff, and road traffic police. These interactions underscored the community’s commitment to integrating advanced technologies into Trikala’s transport ecosystem. Attendees were introduced to various innovations of the IN2CCAM project, including automated vehicles and the Traffic Management Centre (TMC), and learned how these technologies will be seamlessly integrated to improve urban mobility.

Christos Ballis (ICCS) and Elena Patatouka (e-Trikala) led the event, providing an insightful overview of the project’s mission and the demonstrations. The event featured a visit to the Remote Control Centre and Traffic Management Centre, where participants could closely examine the state-of-the-art equipment and its capabilities. They also experienced simulations exploring future scenarios with larger fleets of AVs, highlighting the valuable impacts and benefits of these innovations.

Hands-on experience with automated vehicles

Live demonstrations of the automated vehicles were a highlight of the event, with visitors having the opportunity to board the AVs and experience their cutting-edge features firsthand. Key use cases were showcased, such as the integration of Green Light Optimised Speed Advisory (GLOSA) within the AVs, detection and warning systems for Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) approaching the AVs, and an advanced journey planner designed to enhance the efficiency and convenience of using CCAVs. These interactive sessions facilitated a deeper connection with the participants, allowing them to experience the benefits and practical applications of the technologies.

Stakeholders showed particular interest in integrating MaaS platforms with CCAM for a seamless user experience. The municipality actively participated in discussions surrounding the legal and governance frameworks needed for smooth implementation. Finally, stakeholders co-created scenarios to explore viable business models and strategies for replicating these advancements in other cities, ensuring the project’s potential for wider impact.