News

The innovative VIA TAXI project aims to improve traffic safety by gathering and analyzing real-time traffic safety data from various sources, including taxis, e-scooters, and e-mopeds. By providing a comprehensive view of traffic conditions, this data helps prevent accidents through the analysis of "near-misses" and suboptimal driving behavior, thereby enhancing the understanding of traffic issues. 

Utilizing ZeZo-score technology, the project conducts safety assessments directly from Cabonline's fleet in Gothenburg. This real-time data, combined with insights from the sister project ViaSafety, allows for a layered analysis of urban environments to identify risk zones and unsafe behaviors. The project integrates data from at least 50 taxis with e-scooter and e-moped data, combining aggregated and specific data for refined risk analysis, tracking behavior changes in drivers, and developing scalable models for traffic safety data management. This effort is expected to significantly benefit cities and authorities by providing valuable insights for better traffic management and safety measures.

Project goals
The project's composition offers a strong potential to increasing traffic safety at a systemic level through digital technology. If successful, VIA TAXI could lead to transformative changes in traffic safety perceptions, measurement methods, and the allocation of responsibilities in contributing to Vision Zero. The involvement of Northern Europe's largest taxi network in this initiative could set a precedent for professional traffic operators and society at large. 

The quality and quantity of traffic safety data generated by this project could reshape the understanding of traffic safety and create new opportunities for qualified safety measures that encompass both speed compliance and driving behavior. The project also aims to address key challenges such as responsibility distribution, funding, business models, and data valuation, paving the way for future collaborations among professional traffic operators, technology providers, cities, authorities, and researchers. 

Project deliverables
The following deliverables are planned in the project:

• Almedalen seminar, summer 2024: A seminar discussing the distribution of responsibilities, costs, and revenues for traffic safety when the professional traffic industry takes the initiative.
• Real-time traffic safety impact reports: Continuous updates on the impact of taxi traffic safety using ZeZo-score technology, highlighting speed compliance and driving behavior.
• Two business model workshops in 2024: Workshops organised by Business Model Labs to discuss key offerings, challenges, and potential business models related to traffic safety data.
• Integrated view of taxi and micromobility collaboration: A comprehensive report on how taxis and micromobility solutions interact concerning traffic safety risk hotspots and intervention needs.
• Scalable data sharing model: A model for collaboration and sharing of traffic safety data across different sources.
• Business model reports: A report on the specific cases in VIASAFETY and VIA-Taxi, including an analysis of data monetization and new types of scalable data subscription models.
• Privacy and Data Protection Plan for GDPR compliance: A plan to ensure data privacy and GDPR compliance throughout the project.

Project details

• Impact Area: Safety Performance Evaluation
• Duration: April 2024 - June 2025
• Financer: Drive Sweden/Vinnova
• Budget: SEK 1,548,000
• Partners: Cabonline, Chalmers Industriteknik, EIT Urban Mobility Innovation Hub North, KTH, Nollzon