PROOF OF CONCEPTS
What is a Proof of Concept?
A Proof of Concept (PoC) is a demonstration used to verify that specific concepts or theories can be applied in real-world contexts. It provides evidence that a project or product is feasible and worth the investment required for further development and support.
Why establish a PoC fund within DRO-DMI?
By setting up a PoC fund, AMS Institute facilitates the valorisation of research and helps transform research outcomes into practical tools and services. The fund allows scale innovations within DRO, generating greater social and economic impact.
This collaboration also works the other way around: it allows challenges and wishes originating from DRO, even those with high inherent risks, to be translated into new scientific research projects. This integration of practice-driven needs into research ensures that innovation is aligned with real-world challenges.
What does the PoC fund do?
The fund functions as a bridge between scientific innovations and concrete challenges faced by municipalities and transportation companies. It accelerates the exchange between research and practice by supporting experimentation and the development of prototypes, allowing urban stakeholders to assess their value.
The DRO-DMI team will finance 20 PoCs between 2024 and 2026. Researchers from academic partners can submit proposals here.
All PoCs will be supported by a dedicated PoC team at AMS Institute. Learn more about the team here [link to AMS website]
Proof of Concepts within DRO
Ongoing PoCs
- Walkability
- Responsible Data Collection for Underrepresented Groups
- Pedestrian Flow Model
Future PoCs
- TikTok Queues
- Dynamic Curb Management
- Bicycle Data Usage
- Tunnel Object Recognition
- Responsible (Data) Infrastructure for Cities
- Traffic Lights
- Hubs
- AI Orchestration
Walkability
This PoC explores how walkability analysis software tools can be designed to align with the needs of urban planners and support their decision-making processes when planning for pedestrian accessibility. It aims to bridge the gap between tool developers and planning practitioners. While many tools exist to measure walkability, they often rely on predefined criteria without involving urban planners in their development. As a result, these tools may miss key user needs and lack consistency across implementations. The intended impact is to create a practical framework that guides the development of next-generation walkability tools, ensuring that they are practitioner-oriented, effective, and capable of supporting evidence-based urban planning.
Responsible Data Collection for Underrepresented Groups
This PoC aims to collect real-world mobility data from vulnerable populations, starting with wheelchair users. The project will gather quantitative and qualitative data using GPS tracking and participant interviews. It also involves engaging key stakeholders, such as participants and privacy officers, to ensure their needs are met. The initiative addresses a critical gap in urban planning: the lack of empirical data on the mobility of groups like children, seniors, and ethnic minorities. By capturing actual behaviour, the project seeks to inform more inclusive, data-driven urban design and provide a framework for future studies.
Pedestrian Flow Model
This PoC aims to enhance DAT Mobility’s existing model to support what-if scenario planning for municipalities. The upgraded model will be demonstrated to interested local governments, and its code and data will be made publicly available via GitHub. This PoC addresses the limitations of current pedestrian flow models, which often lack detail despite growing demand. It improves predictions by focusing on flows between key points of interest and incorporating the pedestrian attractiveness of every road segment in the Netherlands. The intended impact is to empower municipalities with better tools for data-driven pedestrian planning.
