Stjørdal Municipality will use mobility data, collaboration, and test-based methods to ensure simpler and more effective mobility planning.
Stjørdal Municipality has commenced work on a new mobility plan, initiating the process with an inspiring workshop that brought together 16 staff members from various departments. The workshop was led by Bernt Sverre Mehammer from Its Tomorrow and Idun Aune from Respira. From our side, I contributed insights on mobility data and how it can serve as an effective catalyst for transformation.
Through ongoing collaboration with Miljøpakken in Trøndelag, we are exploring how updated data and solid knowledge can help Stjørdal Council simplify mobility planning. The aim is to devise a plan that accelerates the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and reduces car usage while simultaneously increasing the freedom of movement for residents without access to a car. It is also crucial to limit the disadvantages for those affected by restrictive measures.
"Good data and tools are incredibly useful. We lack a lot of local knowledge in mobility. With this data and way of thinking, we can work towards long-term goals while making effective priorities right now." — Erik Fenstad, Municipal Director of Community in Stjørdal Council.
The challenge of achieving ambitious goals
Almost every Norwegian municipality has long had ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and car use to achieve their community plans. However, despite significant investments in measures that promote cycling and walking, progress has often been limited.
We can make some headway by strengthening green alternatives, but to reach ambitious goals, measures that make it more difficult or expensive to use private cars are often necessary. It is extremely challenging for a council to balance various considerations while achieving the set targets.
A strong collaboration for positive change
We are better together. With Its Tomorrow, Telia, Geodata, and Respira, we at Ducky have assembled a powerful team of companies that can help overcome these barriers in a resource-efficient manner. By using up-to-date data that shows how people travel, it becomes possible for councils to work more goal-oriented and test-based. This way, measures can be easily tested on a small scale locally and work with those affected until solutions are found that change travel habits without causing significant disadvantages.
"When we know how 40% of the population travels, we can say a lot about what drives travel habits, and thus what will be effective measures." — Bernt Sverre Mehammer, It’s Tomorrow.
From the left side: Mads Simonsen Thuv, Idun Aune and Bernt Sverre Mehammer.
The workshop: From objectives to action
During the two-day workshop, the first day was spent establishing a common goal structure and suggesting a range of measures based on what has been effective. Day two focused on engaging various stakeholders before thoroughly reviewing the success criteria in a test-based mobility plan.
"We now have a solid foundation to build on, and it has become much clearer how we can work moving forward. In addition, over two days, we have gathered expertise and worked together across sectors, making this a very good start to work on the new mobility plan." — Bente Bakken, responsible for drafting the mobility plan.
Test-based approach for better results
A test-based mobility plan should be politically anchored in some overarching goals while the administration is given the freedom to test a variety of measures locally.
With data and analysis, measures can be tried out, evaluated, adjusted, and scaled up if they work. Throughout, there is full control over the effect of changed travel habits and the response from those affected through effective participation processes.
"These days have shown that a more holistic approach is necessary. Instead of working in isolation on cycling, public transport, or parking, we now see that it's smarter to test multiple measures locally before scaling them up. This way, we can build a common pyramid, rather than everyone chipping away at their stone."
— Erik Fenstad, Municipal Director of Community in Stjørdal Council. He continues: "One challenge is often getting politicians on board to implement measures that work. When the measures are test-based and temporary, and we can use data to see the effects, it becomes much easier to bring politicians along for the journey."
The journey ahead
Stjørdal Council has taken an important step towards a simple, goal-oriented, and efficient mobility plan. By combining updated data, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a test-based approach, the groundwork is laid for real changes that can help achieve the council’s ambitious goals.
We look forward to continuing the collaboration and monitoring the development of the mobility plan. This initiative could become a model for other councils looking to work smarter and more effectively with their mobility challenges.
Do you have questions or want to learn more about how we can assist you with mobility planning?
👉🏼 Reach out to Mads Simonsen Thuv via email: mads@ducky.eco or through this form.
👉🏼 Or read more about Mobility Data here.
