Projekt-Highlights

KASSA.AST

The project KASSA.AST (Kooperative Automatisierte Shared Services an Autobahn Anschlussstellen – Cooperative Automated Shared Services at Highway Interchanges), funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency, was successfully completed in 2024. The overarching project goals were structured into a comprehensive mobility concept, focusing on the development of connected mobility services at transport hubs near highway interchanges. Particular emphasis was placed on efficient, space- and resource-saving, as well as barrier-free transfer options.

Results of the mobility survey on interest in services © AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, 2023

A key objective was to establish demand-responsive mobility services tailored to user needs while simultaneously promoting a shift towards environmentally and resource-friendly mobility options. This was achieved by reducing transfer barriers through bundled and targeted information, along with the seamless booking and payment of services via a Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) platform. Additionally, the project explored the integration of automated driving into mobility processes, including pilot operations.

The project’s main focus in 2024 was the comprehensive analysis of integration possibilities for automated services, particularly automated driving within the broader mobility ecosystem. A key element was the planning and design of the Klagenfurt West mobility hub, with a focus on the physical integration of automated mobility services.

To complement this, a mobility survey was conducted to assess user interest in various services, and the results were used as a crucial input for an agent-based simulation model. This model was employed to estimate demand potential and predict service utilisation levels.

The strong user interest in automated mobility services, particularly among targeted user groups, formed the basis for further tailored measures aimed at addressing specific mobility needs.

Pilot operation in Klagenfurt West


Routing and timetable of shuttle service in the 'Klagenfurt West' area © SURAAA, 2024	Automated shuttles in fleet operation © SURAAA 2024

Between July and September 2024, a pilot operation with three automated shuttles was conducted in Klagenfurt West. The shuttles operated in both scheduled services and as an on-demand mobility solution.

The essential insights gained from the pilot can be categorised into the following areas:

Regulatory Framework & Approval Processes: The AutomatFahrV regulation, which limited the maximum speed of automated minibuses to 20 km/h, poses a restriction when selecting suitable use cases for such vehicles.

Route Complexity: The implementation effort is highly dependent on route characteristics, including controlled intersections, pedestrian crossings, and overall traffic volume.

Infrastructure at Mobility Hubs: The use of sensor technology and intelligent parking management systems offers significant potential for providing relevant mobility data, such as occupancy rates, space utilisation, and alternative routing options.

Integration into the Public Transport System: Automated shuttles are suitable as a supplement to traditional public transport and show particular potential for on-demand services at off-peak times.

»The agent-based simulation model enables the estimation of traffic demand, parking space utilisation and the optimisation of public transport and shuttle connections at the mobility hub. The microsimulation level enables the identification and optimisation of conflict points and traffic routing.«

Christian Joachim Gruber

JOANNEUM RESEARCH Forschungsgesellschaft mbH

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The KASSA.AST project was funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK) and ASFINAG AG.