Eriketti Servou

Project title: The role of data and AI in sustainable mobility through Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS)

Host Institution: Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)

Host Supervisor: Dr. Frauke Behrendt

Co-host Institution: Technical University of Denmark (DTU)

Co-host Supervisor: Prof. Maja Horst

Summary project:

Mobility-as-Service (MaaS) is an emerging concept in policy deliberation that promises modal shift and carbon neutrality in the context of sustainable mobility. MaaS refers to digital platforms that integrate existing transport services. A key technology for MaaS is artificial intelligence (AI), especially machine learning. AI algorithms are trained with data collected by various sources to optimize mobility forecasting and offer users personalized alternatives to the car. Yet, there is a gap between these functionalities and the actual potential for sustainable mobility, which remains undefined in practice. The challenge lies in how the data integration between different data sources (e.g. mobility providers, tech companies and users) and AI capabilities will be governed. The objectives of the project are: (1) to understand how data and AI algorithms work in MaaS, (2) to identify the governance structures, accountabilities and stakeholder roles produced through AI in MaaS, (3) to understand the potential of AI in MaaS for sustainable mobility. The project is interdisciplinary as it combines technical literature (computer engineering, transport modelling) and social science literature (data governance, algorithmic governance, platform urbanism). The methods are also diverse:  technology analysis, stakeholder interviews and document analysis. The project contributes to debates on sustainability, mobility, data and AI, while it also provides insights for policymakers on how to govern digital mobility transitions.

Eriketti Servou