ITS 2021 Anchor Projects

Smart, sustainable transport and traffic systems along with digital innovations help make getting from A to B quick, efficient and secure. And by 2030, many such projects will be tested and implemented in Hamburg.

Eine Frau steht in der Tür eines Busses und schaut hinaus. Im Hintergrund sind eine Brücke und die Elbphilharmonie zu sehen. HEAT (Hamburg Electric Autonomous Transportation) is the first self-driving electric minibus in Hamburg. As a research and development project of the HOCHBAHN and other partners, the bus is being tested for local public transport on a test track in Hamburg's HafenCity.

Hamburg's ITS Anchor Projects: Improving Urban Mobility

Innovative strategies for Hamburg

With 1.8 million residents, Hamburg is Germany's second largest city. 5.3 million people live in the larger metropolitan region and around 350,000 commute to the Hanseatic city every day by bike, bus, train or car. This means that Hamburg's urban mobility is constantly growing and changing to meet new challanges and take advantage of opportunities. The goal of Hamburg's ITS strategy is to do justice to these urban mobility challanges and opportunities.

ITS stands for 'Intelligent Traffic and Transport Systems'. Urban and innovative mobility concepts are intended to increase traffic safety in Hamburg, reduce traffic-related environmental impacts and at the same time increase efficiency and reliability. In October 2021, innovations and projects from this area were presented in Hamburg at the world's largest industry event, the ITS World Congress 2021.

With the help of Hamburg's ITS strategy, the foundation for the urban mobility of the future is being laid in six areas.

The projects are spread across the following fields of action:

  • Automated and connected driving
  • Mobility as a service
  • Smart parking
  • Smart infrastructure
  • Smart traffic control and guidance
  • Data and information

42 anchor projects

These projects are particularly important for positively affecting traffic, logistics and innovations and making them more efficient: 42 projects were selected as so-called 'anchor projects' within Hamburg's ITS strategy. These include, for example, the HEAT (Hamburg Electric Autonomous Transportation) minibus, which has been testing autonomous driving on a test track in HafenCity since August 2019. Among other things, the use of autonomous vehicles for local public transport and requirements for vehicle technology and road infrastructure are to be tested.

Smart loading and delivery zones or adaptation of the cycling network

More and more people order goods and do their shopping online. This means that a greater logistical output is necessary and that more delivery vans and trucks are on the road, often in narrow inner cities. Delivery vehicles are dependent on loading and delivery zones so as not to stop on sidewalks or bike paths. However, it is precisely these zones that are often blocked. Hamburg's 'SmaLa' project is currently testing how best to reduce traffic pollution and CO2 emissions related to deliveries. With the help of smart delivery and loading areas, which can be reserved by suppliers and service providers via a virtual booking system, the misuse of loading areas and long journeys to find a parking space should become things of the past.

This also includes projects such as the HVV switch mobility platform, which makes switching between different forms of transportation (whether public transport, bicycle or sharing service) quicks and easy. Other anchor prjects include Smart Lockers for commuters and the automatic recording of the number of cyclists at certain traffic points in order to optimally adapt the cycling network to the needs of cyclists.

Hamburg's public was able to find out more about these projects as well as Hamburg's ITS strategy on October 14, 2021 at the free ITS Public Day. All Hamburg residents and visitors were invited to discover the future of mobility on this day during the 2021 ITS World Congress.

ITS 2021 Anchor Projects