The GINEVRA project, in collaboration with our knowledge provider EMFIE, proudly presents the AV Readiness Assessment Tool, an innovative solution designed to help cities evaluate their preparedness for autonomous vehicles (AVs) and take critical steps toward future-ready urban mobility. This tool serves as a comprehensive starting point for cities aiming to embrace not only AVs but also other transformative technologies.

What is the AV Readiness Assessment Tool?

The AV Readiness Assessment Tool is a groundbreaking online calculator tailored for small and medium-sized Central European cities. By leveraging a multi-variant statistical model, the tool evaluates a city’s readiness to integrate AVs and provides actionable insights to guide municipalities in their journey toward AV deployment. While the tool’s primary focus is on autonomous vehicle readiness, its adaptability ensures its relevance for other transformative innovations as well.

How Does It Work?

The tool uses a composite index to facilitate benchmarking and comparisons across cities. Municipalities input specific data via a simple interface, engaging stakeholders and citizens through collaborative processes. The tool then generates an AV Readiness Score, which highlights strengths, identifies problem areas (such as potential bias, discrimination, or resistance), and evaluates proposed deployment measures. Based on the assessment, cities are categorized into one of four readiness levels:

1. AV Pioneer (75-100%): Highly prepared cities with key infrastructure, policies, and public awareness initiatives already in place, ensuring a seamless transition to AVs.
2. AV Friendly (50-75%): Cities with solid progress in relevant infrastructure and policies, offering a favorable environment for AVs but needing targeted improvements to achieve full readiness.
3. AV Developing (25-50%): Cities with foundational assets that show potential but require significant enhancements in areas like road infrastructure, connectivity, and public awareness.
4. Limited AV Readiness (0-25%): Cities requiring urgent improvements in essential infrastructure, policy, and safety measures to support AV integration.

Key Features

• Composite Index: Enables clear benchmarking and comparison between cities.
• Collaborative Approach: Engages stakeholders and citizens in the assessment process.
• Tailored Action Plans: Offers actionable recommendations based on readiness levels.
• Insights for Improvement: Identifies critical areas for development, such as regulatory frameworks, public safety measures, and public awareness.

Why is this Tool Important?

As cities across Europe and beyond prepare for the future of mobility, autonomous vehicles are emerging as a transformative innovation. The AV Readiness Assessment Tool equips cities with the knowledge and resources to navigate this transition responsibly and efficiently. By identifying gaps and providing tailored action plans, the tool ensures that municipalities can:

• Enhance urban mobility systems.
• Promote sustainable innovation.
• Foster collaboration among local stakeholders.

Looking Ahead

Although the current version of the tool is already a significant step forward, it is not yet finalized. Our developers are working diligently to refine and enhance its features to ensure maximum impact. We will soon share the final version, enabling cities to fully benefit from this tool and take critical steps toward future-ready urban mobility systems. Stay tuned! 

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Explore the Tool!

For a visual overview and to explore the AV Readiness Assessment Tool, visit: https://www.emfie.eu/avreadiness

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From November 28 to 29, 2024, the historic city of Ptuj (Slovenia) hosted an important event: the GreenScape CE Partner Meeting. Over two days, project partners gathered to address the creation of climate-resilient urban landscapes. The meeting brought together representatives from partner cities, urban planning experts, and civic engagement specialists, all committed to developing innovative strategies to make Central Europe’s urban areas greener, more sustainable, and more livable.

The first day laid the groundwork for innovative and productive collaboration:

• Study Visit: A guided tour of Ptuj’s successful green initiatives allowed participants to witness tangible applications of green infrastructure, providing inspiration and concrete models for sustainable urban development.
• Introductory Discussions: REGEA and ALDA+ led the opening sessions, focusing on project management and communication strategies, sharing significant updates on progress, and outlining the next steps.
• Workshop on Nature-Based Solutions (NBS): Under the theme ‘Sowing the Seeds,’ partners delved into best practices for implementing nature-based solutions (NBS) and green infrastructure (GI), emphasising innovative and replicable approaches.

The second and final day of the GreenScape CE Partner Meeting centered on actionable strategies and planning for future activities:

• Collaborative Workshops: Under the theme “Bring About Change,” partners, guided by ETIFOR and other experts, refined pilot actions, drafted feasibility studies, and developed the technical documentation required for future implementations.
• Strategic Deep-Dive Sessions: Contributions from UIRS – Urbanistični Inštitut Republike Slovenije, AMBIT, Energiaklub, ZRS Bistra, the City of Zagreb, and ALDA+ explored opportunities to connect green infrastructure (GI) and nature-based solutions (NBS) initiatives. These sessions also highlighted strategies to raise awareness and engage local communities effectively.
• Next Steps: Partners committed to expanding the GreenScape CE network, strengthening regional collaboration, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of project results.

The day concluded with a shared and ambitious vision to integrate green solutions into cities, tackle urban climate challenges, and create a roadmap to transform gray areas into green, resilient cities.

The Ptuj meeting reinforced the GreenScape CE consortium’s commitment to creating inclusive and climate-resilient urban environments. It showcased the transformative potential of nature-based solutions (NBS) and green infrastructure (GI) in mitigating urban heat island effects while promoting harmonious and sustainable development.

The collaborative energy, innovative solutions, and shared passion among partners perfectly encapsulated the spirit of the GreenScape CE project.

As the project progresses, the GreenScape CE partnership will continue to expand its network, foster local community engagement, and implement innovative solutions to reshape the urban landscapes of Central Europe.

Stay tuned for updates on the next steps of our mission: #MakeGreyCitiesGreener!