Vilkku: Promoting Smart Mobility in Eastern Finland

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The main achievements of the Vilkku project are city bikes, pedestrians and various public transport services. Together they contribute significantly to climate-change target and decarbonisation requirements in the city of Kuopio and surrounding areas. In addition, the project has increased business activity. The project has also added smart electric cycling in the city.Jouni Huhtinen, Project Manager, City of KuopioThrough the EU-funded Vilkku project, Kuopio has created a sustainable model of transport for its citizens by promoting smart mobility services that are efficient, flexible, user-friendly and accessible to everyone.The project upgraded the city’s existing public transportation infrastructure and services and gave them a new look. A modern passenger information and background system has been developed and a green light traffic system to improve the punctuality of buses has been set up. Screens with information for passengers and a mobile application supporting public transportation have been installed throughout the city. The project developed an intelligent car parking system and an electric city bike sharing system with assistance, which is the first of its kind in Scandinavia.Reducing the region’s carbon footprintThe project created a dedicated Vilkku application which combines various forms of transport service options – ranging from public transport, car and bike sharing, to taxi or car rentals – into a single service accessible on demand. The application includes a mobile ticketing system to buy tickets.The project set out to reduce the environmental impact of car traffic and move towards a more sustainable use of cars by creating smart mobility services based on accessible, high quality information, beneficial for both stakeholder companies, smart mobility SMEs and commuters.Supporting sustainable economic developmentThe project’s efforts in upgrading the city’s public infrastructure have provided business opportunities to SMEs. Several local companies have been encouraged to develop and test new smart mobility products and services, making themselves more attractive as business partners and employers. Others have acquired their own city bikes through the project, which results in less emissions generated by urban transport.Kuopio is the capital of Eastern Finland and one of the country’s important innovation hubs. The presence of a university and a population of nearly 250 000 people highlights the project’s relevance. Many of the developed services have contributed significantly to the project’s objective in supporting a healthier way of commuting and will continue to operate after the project’s end. This kind of sustainable economic development is resulting in a higher quality of life for Kuopio’s residents.Total investment and EU fundingTotal investment for the project “Vilkku - Smart Mobility In Kuopio Region” is EUR 1 673 192, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 1 171 234 through the “Sustainable growth and jobs 2014-2020 - Structural Funds Programme of Finland” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Shift to a low-carbon economy”.