This Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) scenario on Sustainable Transport focuses on enhancing urban sustainability through the optimization of public transportation systems. By engaging VET students in interdisciplinary teams, the project aims to address the pressing issues of carbon emissions, inefficiency, and public disengagement related to public transport. Collaborating with local government and public transport companies, students will conduct in-depth research, develop innovative solutions, and create prototypes to improve the city’s transportation network. The project emphasizes real-world problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration while aligning with Sustainable Development Goals 11 and 13. Ultimately, the project seeks to foster a more sustainable, efficient, and community-oriented public transportation system.

Linked to SDGs:
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 13: Climate Action

General information about the project

⦁ Institutions Involved:

– VET providers: Leading the project and providing academic support.
– Local Government: Partnering to provide real-world challenges and data.
– Public Transport Companies: Offering insights and practical challenges related to sustainable transport.

⦁ Challenge Providers: Local Government and Public Transport Companies.

⦁ Number of Learners: At least 20 per VET team.

⦁ Learners: VET students from various disciplines including engineering, environmental science, and urban planning.

⦁ Duration: 4-5 months.

Defined Task of the Project/Challenge

To develop and implement sustainable transportation solutions for the city in a collaborative project with local government and public transport companies.

Objectives of the project

The task of the project involves following objectives:

Conducting a comprehensive analysis of the city’s current transportation system.
Identifying key sustainability challenges and opportunities.
Developing innovative and practical solutions to improve public transport efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance public satisfaction.
Collaborating with stakeholders to implement and evaluate the proposed solutions.
Creating a sustainable framework for future transportation planning and development.
Raising awareness about sustainable transport solutions among the community.

Challenge description

Structure of the Challenging Case:

How can the public transport system in the city be made more sustainable?
What are the current challenges faced by the transport system in terms of sustainability?
How can technology be leveraged to improve the efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint of public transport?

Guiding Questions:

What are the key factors contributing to the carbon emissions of the current transport system?
How can alternative energy sources be integrated into the public transport system?
What are the best practices from other cities that can be applied to the city?

Connections between Challenge-Institution-Environment

Problems to be Solved:

High carbon emissions from the current transport system.
Inefficiencies in the public transport network.
Lack of awareness and engagement from the community regarding sustainable transport options.

Statement of Local Issues:

The city faces challenges in reducing its carbon footprint and improving the sustainability of its transport system. The involvement of the community and local institutions is crucial to address these issues effectively.

Strategies of problem solving

Problem-Solving Strategies:

Conducting research and data analysis on the current transport system.
Engaging with stakeholders including local government, public transport companies, and the community.
Eco-Digitalisation – Developing innovative solutions and prototypes for sustainable transport.
Testing and refining solutions through pilot projects and feedback.

Data-Driven Analysis: To effectively address the complex challenges of sustainable transportation, learners will employ a multifaceted approach. Initially, a deep dive into data is essential. By meticulously collecting and analyzing transportation patterns, emissions, public opinion, and economic impacts, students will establish a robust foundation for understanding the existing system. Visualizing this data will illuminate trends and correlations, providing a clearer picture of the problem landscape. Benchmarking the city’s transportation against other urban areas will offer valuable insights into best practices and potential solutions.

Stakeholder Engagement: Parallel to data analysis, fostering strong connections with the community is paramount. Engaging with citizens, businesses, and community groups through interviews and surveys will provide firsthand perspectives on transportation needs and desires. Building partnerships with local government, public transport operators, and other stakeholders will create a collaborative environment for idea sharing and solution development. Moreover, incorporating citizen feedback into the solution development process ensures that the final outcomes are aligned with the community’s aspirations.

Innovative Solution Development: The heart of the project lies in innovation. Learners will engage in brainstorming sessions and design thinking exercises to generate a wealth of creative ideas. These concepts will be transformed into tangible solutions through prototyping and small-scale testing. A keen focus on technology will drive the exploration of smart solutions for traffic management, public transport optimization, and passenger information systems. The potential of electric and autonomous vehicles will also be investigated. To bridge the gap between technology and the public, learners will develop user-friendly mobile applications that promote sustainable transportation choices.

Technology Integration and Eco-Digitalisation: Digital solutions are at the core of modern sustainable transportation. Students will delve into the development of innovative digital platforms and applications to address urban mobility challenges. This includes exploring smart traffic management systems, real-time public transport information, and multimodal journey planning tools. Additionally, they will examine the role of digital technologies in promoting shared mobility services, such as car-sharing, bike-sharing, and ride-hailing, to reduce private vehicle ownership. By harnessing the potential of data analytics and artificial intelligence, students can optimize transportation systems, improve energy efficiency, and enhance the overall user experience.

Testing and Refining Through Action: Once promising solutions emerge, the project transitions from concept to reality through pilot projects. These small-scale implementations allow students to test the functionality, usability, and effectiveness of their ideas in a real-world setting. Gathering feedback from stakeholders, including citizens, public transport users, and partner organizations, is crucial during this phase. This feedback loop enables students to refine their solutions, addressing unforeseen issues and optimizing functionalities. By iteratively testing and refining through pilot projects, students can ensure the final solutions are practical, user-friendly, and have a significant impact on the city’s transportation system.

By combining these strategic approaches, learners will not only develop innovative solutions but also cultivate the skills and knowledge necessary to become leaders in sustainable transportation. Simultaneously, community engagement and education initiatives will be undertaken to raise awareness, promote behavior change, and build a supportive environment for sustainable transportation.

Phases of problem solving

Timeframes of Activities by months:

Month 1-2: Research and data collection.
Month 3: Development of solutions and prototypes.
Month 4: Testing and refinement of solutions.
Month 5: Presentation and implementation of final solutions.

Outcomes

Immediate Outcomes:

A comprehensive report on the current state of the transport system and proposed sustainable solutions.
Prototypes and pilot projects demonstrating innovative transport solutions.
Increased awareness and engagement from the community regarding sustainable transport.

Long-Term Outcomes:

A more sustainable and efficient public transport system in the city.
Strengthened collaboration between academic institutions, local government, public transport companies, and the community to address future transportation challenges.

Innovative Aspects:

Integration of alternative energy sources.
Use of smart technology for traffic management and route optimization.
Community engagement and awareness campaigns.

Impact of the project

Owners of the Result:
Local Government of the city
Public Transport Companies
VET providers

Related Outcomes:

Improved sustainability and efficiency of the transport system.
Reduced carbon emissions and environmental impact.
Enhanced collaboration between academic institutions, government, and the community.

Environmental Changes:

A significant reduction in the carbon footprint of the transport system.
Increased use of sustainable transport options by the community.

The project’s success will be measured by its contribution to a more environmentally friendly and user-friendly transportation system for the city. By fostering innovation, collaboration, and community engagement, the project aims to create a lasting impact on urban mobility and pave the way for a sustainable future.

Competences Gained Through the Project

This CBL project is designed to equip students with a valuable set of competencies that will benefit them in their academic and professional careers. Here’s a breakdown of the key competencies students can expect to develop:

Technical Skills:

Data Analysis and Visualization: Students will hone their skills in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data on transportation patterns, emissions, and public opinion. They will learn to use data visualization tools to effectively communicate findings.
Digital Literacy: Project activities will involve utilizing various digital tools and platforms, including social media, educational software, and potentially mobile app development. Students will gain proficiency in navigating the digital landscape and applying these tools for sustainable transportation solutions.
Project Management: Participating in a collaborative project fosters project management skills such as planning, organization, task delegation, and meeting deadlines. Students will learn to manage their time effectively and collaborate productively within a team.

Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking:

Systems Thinking: The project requires analysis of the transportation system as a whole, considering the interaction between different components (infrastructure, vehicles, users). This fosters systems thinking and the ability to identify root causes of problems.
Creative Problem-Solving: Students will be challenged to develop innovative solutions to complex transportation challenges. Brainstorming techniques, design thinking methodologies, and user-centered approaches will be employed to encourage creative thinking and the generation of effective solutions.
Critical Evaluation: Throughout the project, students will be required to critically evaluate proposed solutions, consider their feasibility, and assess their potential impact on sustainability and the community.

Communication and Collaboration:

Effective Communication: Students will need to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including peers, stakeholders (local government, public transport companies), and the general public. They will hone their written, verbal, and visual communication skills.
Teamwork and Collaboration: The project emphasizes collaborative learning, requiring students to work effectively within a team. They will learn to share ideas, manage conflict, and contribute to achieving common goals.
Stakeholder Engagement: The success of the project hinges on productive relationships with stakeholders. Students will develop skills in stakeholder identification, communication, and collaboration, understanding the importance of involving various players in the solution development process.

This comprehensive set of competencies will empower students to become future leaders in sustainable transportation. They will be equipped to tackle complex problems, innovate solutions, collaborate effectively, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Open Educational Resources (OERs)

References

Banister, D. (2008). The sustainable mobility paradigm. Transport Policy, 15(2), 73-80. DOI:10.1016/j.tranpol.2007.10.005
Cervero, R. (2013). Transport Infrastructure and the Environment: Sustainable Mobility and Urbanism. Jurnal Perencanaan Wilayah dan Kota, 25(3), 174-191. DOI:10.5614/jpwk.2015.25.3.1
European Commission. (2011). White Paper: Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area – Towards a Competitive and Resource-Efficient Transport System. Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/transport/themes/strategies/2011_white_paper_en
European Commission. (2020). SUMP Guidelines: Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning. Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/transport/themes/urban/urban_mobility/sump_en
United Nations. (2017). Global Mobility Report 2017: Tracking Sector Performance. Sustainable Mobility for All (SuM4All). Available at: https://www.sum4all.org/global-mobility-report-2017
World Bank. (2019). Transforming the Urban Transport System: Practical Guide for Sustainable Mobility. Available at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/transport/publication/urban-transport-system-practical-guide
UNESCO. (2021). Sustainable Urban Mobility and Public Transport: Practical Approaches for Reducing Carbon Footprints. UNESCO Publishing. Available at: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000378412
European Union. (2021). ELTIS: The Urban Mobility Observatory – Practical Tools and Guidelines for Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning. Available at: https://www.eltis.org/
UITP (International Association of Public Transport). (2020). Mobility as a Service (MaaS) – Practical Guidelines for Implementation. Available at: https://www.uitp.org/
Horizon 2020. (2020). CIVITAS Initiative: Collaborative Research and Innovation for Cleaner and Better Transport in Cities. Available at: https://civitas.eu/
European Commission. (2022). ReVeAL Project: Regulating Vehicle Access for Improved Livability and Sustainability. Available at: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/815008
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability. (2019). EcoMobility SHIFT: A Methodology for Assessing and Improving Urban Transport Performance. Available at: https://ecomobility.org/
European Platform on Mobility Management (EPOMM). (2021). Maximizing the Impact of Mobility Management through EU Projects and Programs. Available at: https://www.epomm.eu/
Transport for London (TfL). (2018). Healthy Streets for London: Making London’s Streets Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play. Available at: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/about-tfl/how-we-work/planning-for-the-future/healthy-streets
United Nations. (2020). Sustainable Transport Solutions: Key Strategies for Developing Countries. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). Available at: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/
European Environment Agency. (2019). The European Environment: State and Outlook 2020 – Transport. EEA Report. Available at: https://www.eea.europa.eu/soer-2020

Scenario 1: Sustainable Transport

Eco-Digithon – The competition for the Eco-Innovators in Spain

Eco-Digithon – The competition for the Eco-Innovators in Italy

Groups