Dynamic adaptive policymaking for implementing Mobility-as-a Service (MaaS)

Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) is an innovative transport concept that combines a range of transport modes and services to provide a user-orientated service via a single interface. Since its emergence, MaaS has drawn increasing interest within and beyond the transport sector for its potential as an innovative and potentially effective solution to urban transport problems. However, the implementation of MaaS is surrounded by uncertainties concerning various aspects, such as on technological feasibility, future demand and willingness of crucial stakeholders to cooperate. These uncertainties can prevent large-scale implementation of the concept from taking place. In this paper, an adaptive approach is proposed, which allows policymakers to create policies that are more robust for uncertain future situations and which can be adapted as the future unfolds and uncertainties are resolved. In particular, a Dynamic Adaptive Policymaking (DAP) is currently being developed for implementing MaaS for the Dutch city of Nijmegen. The study is based on a desktop research and has been produced by discussion among a small group of experts. Its outcomes are presented in an initial plan, which a real-world project could be based upon, and an alternative planning approach could be designed to handle uncertainty.