The DIGNITY project: toward a system of inclusive digital mobility in the Barcelona metropolitan area

Abstract

Recent developments in the transport and mobility sectors are radically altering mobility patterns; these include digitization, smart mobility applications, and local digital services, which offer a wide range of innovations that are adaptable to rapidly-evolving lifestyles. However, many services currently are offered as an "online" mode or incorporate digital elements, and the lack of adequate digital literacy or of specific competencies / skills can be expected to generate situations of exclusion. The DIGNITY project (https://www.dignity-project.eu/), a European initiative in the European Union's H2020 framework, aims to promote an ecosystem of digital mobility services that is sustainable, integrated, and user-friendly, and which improves accessibility, social inclusion, daily mobility experiences, and everyday life of all residents. The project selected four pilot studies in five EU countries (Spain, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany) for their innovative proposals in sustainable inclusive mobility. The case studies apply the DIGNITY approach, which is based on conducting workshops, interviews, and surveys. Here, we specifically address the study based in Barcelona, which is at the forefront in smart urban transformation. The digital divide in mobility in the Barcelona Metropolitan Area was evaluated using a mixed approach of combining literature review with a quantitative survey. The results reveal the needs and perceptions of people about local mobility, as well as the gaps in the use of technology products and services.