DOTSOFT

Sofia, the vibrant capital of Bulgaria with 1.3 million residents, faces pressing environmental challenges driven by harmful emissions and persistent noise pollution. At the heart of the issue is intense vehicle traffic, particularly older, diesel-powered cars, which dominate the roads. The city’s bustling central hub, a magnet for daily activity, bears the brunt of this problem, as high parking demand and congestion further intensify the strain.

To combat this, Sofia is embracing an ambitious vision: by 2035, 80% of all trips within the city should be made by foot, bicycle, or public transport, leaving only 20% to cars. This goal is a key pillar of the city’s Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan and aims to transform Sofia into a cleaner, quieter, and healthier urban environment.

One of the central challenges in achieving this vision lies in optimizing parking management, particularly in Sofia’s busy central “blue zone.” Currently, high parking demand creates a ripple effect of congestion, frustration, and inefficiency. Our innovative solution targets this pain point directly, aiming to improve parking guidance systems while reducing reliance on personal vehicles.

The Smart parkInG for efficient urbaN mObility aiR quAlity enhancement (SIGNORA) cutting-edge strategy to tackle Sofia’s persistent search traffic problem blends real-time data, semantic insights, and active citizen engagement through a mobile app. By combining technological innovation with behavioral interventions, this approach offers a holistic solution to reduce congestion, improve urban mobility, and foster sustainability across the city.

Smart Data Integration: Driving Informed Solutions

The process kicks off with real-time data collection through an integrated network of sensors and cameras strategically placed across the city. This provides insights into traffic patterns, parking occupancy rates, and citizen behavior. We take it a step further by incorporating semantic data—like shopping hours, office schedules, and event timings—into the mix.

This fusion of real-time and contextual information enables us to:

  • Simulate the impact of social interventions like dynamic parking pricing or time-limited parking zones.
  • Forecast traffic and parking demand based on micro-geographical areas and time-specific factors.

With scenario modeling and simulation techniques, we evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions in reducing congestion, refining strategies iteratively to achieve optimal results.

Empowering Cities and Citizens with Innovative Technology

Web App Dashboard for Municipalities:
 Municipal authorities will gain access to a powerful, user-friendly dashboard featuring:

  • Real-time traffic and parking visualizations.
  • Predictive models and scenario simulations to assess interventions.
  • Tools to make data-driven decisions and achieve sustainable urban planning goals.

Mobile App for Citizens

The citizen-facing app transforms user participation with features like:

  • Real-time traffic data and parking availability updates.
  • Personalized transportation recommendations based on behavioral patterns.
  • Gamification elements and educational content to promote sustainable habits, while rewarding engagement.

Engaging Citizens as Change-Makers

Citizen engagement lies at the heart of our strategy. Through the app, users can actively participate by:

  • Completing pop-up surveys to report parking search times.
  • Earning rewards and points for feedback contributions, cultivating a shared sense of ownership in the city’s sustainability goals.
  • Accessing educational campaigns designed to raise awareness about urban sustainability and empower individuals to make environmentally conscious decisions.

Key Outcomes of the Project

  • Real-Time Decision-Making Tools: A municipal web dashboard offering predictive insights, traffic visualizations, and scenario impact assessments.
  • Citizen-Centric Mobile App: Engaging users with real-time updates, rewards, and educational tools to drive behavior change.
  • Impactful Interventions: Data-driven simulations that measure the effectiveness of social policies, reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality.