EU Survey

Welcome to the section dedicated to the SINFONICA project and the results of the European survey on mobility and CCAM (Connected, Cooperative, and Automated Mobility) systems. This initiative aims to identify the mobility needs of European citizens, with a particular focus on groups facing specific challenges related to acceptability, accessibility, affordability and availability.

4472

Persons answered to our survey

Participants were from several European countries and covered all age groups starting with an age of 18 years. Most of the participants were from Germany (50%), the Netherlands (14%), Italy (12%), UK (12%) and Greece (11%).

The survey results showed that a majority, around 63%, intend to use CCAM services and are confident they could use them when they become publicly available. However, this also means that currently, 18% resp. 15% do not feel confident enough to use it or have no intention of doing so. In addition, there is a high share of around 26% to 30% of potential users who do not yet have an attitude towards CCAM services or have not yet built up trust in CCAM vehicles.

Note: these data distributions are adjusted on age and gender in the overall sample.

Acceptability, Accessibility, Affordability and Availability Requirements

The survey results showed the importance of the different 4A requirements.

Most important for the requirement of Acceptability (but also rated highest above all others) is the safety of CCAM vehicles on the road. In addition, a CCAM vehicle needs to be clean, offer protection from crime, and be sustainable.

Regarding Accessibility, it is important to ensure barrier- and skill-free access and child-friendly vehicle design. In addition, the prices for traveling with a CCAM vehicle should not exclude groups of people (Affordability).

For Availability, the following CCAM features are important: guaranteed connections to onward journeys, the option to plan, pay, and get information online, a short distance from home to the next stop/station.

Groups of people with mobility challenges

People often face several challenges, e.g., being elderly and digitally non-connected. Within the SINFONICA online survey, around one-third of respondents faced one, one-third two, and one-fifth three or more mobility challenges. One-fifth of the SINFONICA online survey sample reported none of the mobility challenges being asked in the survey.  

More than 3500

Persons with mobility challenges answered our survey 

16

Mobility challenges categories questioned

10

Mobility challenges categories have been analyzed in SINFONICA

Age – Elderly: 
Aging can lead to physical, cognitive, and social changes that affect mobility, making some elderly people more vulnerable. Ensuring safe, accessible, and adaptable transport solutions, such as CCAM, is crucial to meeting their diverse mobility needs.

Age – Young:
Young people and children represent 31% of the EU population and are crucial for the future of mobility. While dependent on parents at a young age, they gradually seek autonomy through public transport, cycling, and new mobility solutions. They are more open to technology and innovation but also face high traffic accident risks. Including their perspectives in transport planning ensures systems meet their evolving needs.

Place of residence – Rural inhabitant:
People in rural areas face mobility challenges due to limited public transport, leading to reliance on private cars and potential social and economic isolation. Depopulation trends further impact transport availability, with job shortages in public transit worsening the situation. Seasonal tourism can also strain resources. CCAM systems could help bridge the urban-rural mobility gap, ensuring better accessibility and service continuity despite workforce shortages.

Migration background:
Migrants, ethnic minorities, and people with language barriers face mobility challenges due to economic instability, language difficulties, and unfamiliarity with transport systems. Migrants tend to rely more on public transport but struggle with access, discrimination, and understanding ticketing or service information. To improve their experience, better communication tools, staff training, and service design adjustments are needed, particularly in CCAM systems.

Single parent:
Single parents face transportation challenges, such as the need for mobility that balances family and personal responsibilities. They juggle work, childcare, and carrying extra items like strollers or school bags, while managing work schedules with available public transport. Safety concerns, especially for women, influence their travel decisions. Accessible and flexible transport solutions can improve their quality of life.

Women:
Women face challenges in transportation, including safety concerns, accessibility, and complex trip needs (e.g., childcare). They often use public transport more than men but feel unsafe, especially with children. Women are cautious about automated vehicles due to safety and control issues. CCAM systems should focus on safety, flexibility, and family-friendly options,

Gender – LGBTQIA+:
Gender-related mobility challenges highlight the need for inclusive transport systems. LGBTQIA+ individuals often face discrimination and adjust travel patterns for safety, using more expensive or indirect routes. Future CCAMs should prioritize accessibility, affordability, and security, addressing issues like night travel, carrying goods, and providing safer, more adaptable transport options.

Low income:
Low-income and unemployed people face mobility challenges due to transport affordability and limited access, especially in rural areas. Unemployment can cause stress and exclusion. Higher unemployment rates are seen in young people, women, migrants, and older individuals, and non-standard working hours make transport even more difficult. Affordable CCAM solutions could help improve access to employment and services for this group.

Disabilities / conditions –
Physical disabilities:
People with physical disabilities face barriers in mobility due to challenges like mobility impairments (e.g., using wheelchairs), visual impairments (e.g., blindness), and hearing impairments. These barriers include inaccessible infrastructure (e.g., stairs, broken ramps), lack of assistance from transport staff, and poorly maintained technologies (e.g., broken elevators). Additionally, specialized transport services often require long pre-order lead times, which can limit flexibility. Overcrowding and social distancing measures (e.g., during COVID-19) further complicate access. Visually impaired individuals, for instance, may benefit from accessible navigation systems and enhanced acoustic information in CCAM vehicles.

Disabilities / conditions –
Cognitive disabilities:
People with cognitive disabilities, such as mental health impairments (e.g., depression) or intellectual impairments (e.g., autism), also encounter mobility challenges. They may struggle with noise, information overload, and difficulties understanding instructions. Public transport staff’s behavior can be unaccommodating to their needs. Overcrowding is a significant barrier, especially for wheelchair users and those with mental impairments. To address these issues, future CCAM services need to ensure accessible and clear communication, reduce stressors, and offer more inclusive transport choices.

Digitally non connected:
Digital inclusion is crucial for future transport systems, but the digital divide presents a significant challenge. People with low digital skills or no access to digital services may face difficulties using transportation, such as booking tickets, making digital payments, and accessing service information. This can limit their mobility and access to essential places. With increasing digitalization, it is essential for CCAM systems to ensure accessible solutions for those with limited digital skills.

Note: these data distributions are not weighted, therefore one individual can be part of different groups: e.g., an elderly woman who is not digital savvy can be part of the ‘elderly’ group, of the ‘women’ group and of the ‘digitally unsavvy’ group.

Here you can find more detailed information about the EU survey results

Open Access Publications:

To ensure full transparency and provide easy access to the data and tools used in our study, we invite you to explore the following open-access publications. These include the survey items and the data collected for the project, which may be of interest for further insights into the user factors affecting the future deployment of CCAM.