Validation of advanced transport telematics applications in 5 European capitals

The paper deals with the validation of multi-modal information systems and services in metropolitan areas aimed at improving mobility demand and traffic management. The validation process has been carried out within the CAPITALS PLUS project, co-funded by the European Commission, which addresses the demonstration and validation of transport telematics information systems and services in five capital cities: Berlin, Brussels, Madrid, Paris, and Rome. The validation process included a range of analyses based on the design and application of surveys to the different types of users, elaboration of estimates, collection of data sets and application of transport models. The main objective of this paper is to describe the common methodology established for the evaluation of the various impacts coming from the applications of information systems and services in CAPITALS PLUS cities, and to provide an overview of the key results obtained in terms of systems performance, users acceptance of the new information services, improvement in modal shift, and reduction of energy consumption and pollutants emissions.