Today’s cities face challenges in terms of congestion, lack of space, growing population, air quality, noise, liveability, social inclusion, health, economic development and creation of jobs. Citizens want to be mobile and move from a to b – within and between cities – easily, cheap, smart and clean. Freight needs to be transported equally easy, cheap, smart and clean. Expanding infrastructure in the urban environment is almost never an option and not a sustainable long-term solution: It is not cost-effective, there is no space, it gives environmental issues and citizens want custom-made and flexible solutions instead of strictly regulated public transport. Meanwhile innovation and competitiveness is crucial for the future of Brabant.

Large-scale deployment of smart and sustainable mobility solutions is part of dealing with these challenges. C-ITS, automated driving, MaaS, on demand and shared mobility concepts and smart bicycle solutions can contribute to wealthy, healthy, clean, spacious, liveable and accessible cities. Industry has innovative solutions available that have the potential to truly revolutionise mobility in cities and regions. Learning by doing and user centric design are key
Four priority areas within Noord-Brabant for now:

1. Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) as part of SmartwayZ.NL
2. Future-proof public transport
3. Fast cycling connections
4. Urban logistics

Furthermore NEON offers companies and regional governments a possibility to architecture their energy system and technological novelties by means of a digital twin. The development of digital twins and testing innovative technologies by their contribution to the transition of the energy system in a more sustainable architecture is a mayor topic within the policy of Brabant. And because of the complexity like the introduction and interaction between new energy sources such as heat, electricity and synthetic energy carriers, there is a necessity to re-design logistic energy systems.
See also: https://www.brabant.nl/onderwerpen/energie/energieneutrale-industrie/alliantie-energieopslag

Therefore Noord-Brabant is eager to contribute to the challenges and opportunities of learning by doing within the NEON project.