Objectives of the service
Tunnll aims to revolutionize public transportation in small towns by providing a sustainable, efficient, and car-free mobility solution. The key objectives include reducing waiting times, and minimizing the environmental impact. Tunnll uses a Cyber-Physical System that combines Big Data from OpenStreetMap with real-time GNSS location data to offer a seamless and transit service. The system replaces fixed timetables and bus stops with real-time requests and dynamic meeting points, ensuring that passengers can get to their destinations quickly and conveniently.
Users and their needs
The primary users of Tunnll are residents of small towns with little to no public transportation options. These users include:
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Daily Commuters: Need reliable transportation to work, school, or other daily activities.
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Occasional Travelers: Require transportation for errands such as grocery shopping, medical visits, and social engagements.
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Essential Workers: Need dependable transit for irregular or late shifts.
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Non-Drivers: Individuals who do not own a car or cannot drive, such as teenagers and elderly people.
The main challenges are long waiting times, limited access to essential services, and dependence on personal vehicles.
Service/ system concept
Tunnll provides a next-generation public transportation system that uses advanced geospatial and resource allocation algorithms to optimize passenger walking routes and dynamic meeting points along fixed bus routes. The system consists of a passenger mobile app for ride reservations, a backend software system for bus dispatching, a digital twin processing system for virtual network representation, and a GNSS-based bus monitoring system for real-time tracking. Passengers use the app to reserve rides, receive notifications, and navigate to dynamic meeting points, ensuring comfortable waiting times and efficient travel.
Space Added Value
Tunnll leverages satellite navigation (GNSS) to provide accurate real-time tracking and efficient pedestrian navigation. This integration provides precise location data for passengers and buses, allowing the system to adjust meeting points dynamically based on real-time demand.
Current Status
The project met its objectives by developing and validating a space-enabled local public transport service designed specifically for small towns with limited or no existing mobility solutions. The pilot demonstrated that the system works reliably in real operating conditions, with positive feedback from users and transport operators. Core components such as GNSS-based navigation, digital mapping, backend coordination, and the passenger and driver applications performed as expected and met the project KPIs. The results show that an app-first, demand-responsive bus service can improve efficiency, reduce waiting times, enable car-free mobility, and increase accessibility in small-mid sized towns.
Prime Contractor(s)
