Getting Closer to Real Policy: the Future of Rural Mobility
As part of the EMBRACER Project’s mission to bring transformative mobility policies closer to implementation, a key milestone was reached on 22 April 2025 in Arganil, Coimbra Region.
The Lead Partner, University of Aveiro was invited by CIM–Coimbra Region (PP02) to present a forward-looking vision for sustainable mobility in the rural municipality of Arganil, based on the good practices identified so far within the partnership and the challenges and solutions regarding the pilot action with an autonomous shuttle in Vilnius, Lithuania. The meeting was attended by local policy makers, academia and managing authority representatives.
Hosted within the innovative scope of the "Arganil Vision Lab" initiative, the meeting served as a dynamic platform for local policymakers to engage directly with inspiring ideas in rural mobility. The session was more than a presentation: it was a capacity-building opportunity aimed at empowering stakeholders to understand and explore the benefits of digital and sustainable mobility solutions.
The Arganil Vision Lab suggests to transform the municipality of Arganil into a reference point for testing and validating cutting-edge mobility technologies, ranging from autonomous shuttles and drones to integrated multimodal systems. By focusing on advanced technologies, 5G connectivity, IoT sensors, and virtual simulation tools, this vision aligns seamlessly with EMBRACER’s goals to promote equitable, scalable, and data-driven mobility strategies, especially with respect to the link between urban and rural areas.
This collaborative exchange not only marked a step forward in local policy alignment with EU-wide mobility ambitions but also highlighted Arganil’s potential to become a center of excellence for sustainable innovation in low-density, rural areas.
This is one of the examples that demonstrate the EMBRACER Project’s commitment to co-creating smarter, greener, and more connected regions, starting from the ground up.