Building better mobility hubs: Tools from ShareDiMobiHub

What started as an ambition to make shared mobility hubs a central element of sustainable transport in the North Sea Region has matured into a collection of tested pilots, practical tools, and strategies.

The strength of the project lies not only in the different pilots. Its true value is the knowledge and resources that these experiences generated — from digital instruments and policy frameworks to inclusive design guidelines — which now stand ready to support cities and regions in advancing the mobility transition.

At the core of ShareDiMobiHub was a simple principle: learn by doing. By experimenting in different urban and regional contexts, the project was able to test what works, uncover what doesn’t, and refine its approaches accordingly.

These hands-on experiences generated the insights — and at times the challenges — that shaped the set of tools and guides now available. The result is a body of knowledge that goes beyond isolated experiments, offering a practical foundation for any city or region looking to make shared mobility hubs part of their transport system.

One of ShareDiMobiHub’s biggest achievements is that it didn’t just run pilots and stop there — it created a practical toolbox for cities, regions, and providers who want to make shared mobility hubs part of their mobility system. Here’s what’s now available:

Getting shared mobility right is not only about infrastructure, but also about governance. Developed by Way To Go, the Framework Agreement sets out clear principles for cooperation between public authorities and mobility providers. It covers how to define roles, set expectations, align procurement, and manage contracts in ways that ensure hubs serve both business models and public policy goals. This agreement is already inspiring discussions far beyond the project’s borders.

Finally, to ensure all this knowledge is not lost, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences created a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC): the Shared and Digital Mobility Hubs Learning Platform. This digital, open-access course bundles all project outputs into six thematic modules covering opportunities, challenges, technologies, funding, procurement, and best practices. It is the most accessible entry point for any city ready to start their hub journey.

How much CO₂ can be saved if more citizens switch to shared cars? What happens to car ownership rates? And how does electrification change the picture?

The Carsharing Impact Tool by University of Applied Sciences Utrecht gives policymakers reference values and scenarios they can use when making decisions about shared mobility integration. It’s complemented by an in-depth study on shared mobility amid the transition to e-mobility in the Netherlands, which explores how electrification will affect usage patterns, infrastructure needs, and policy choices. The tool contains also a Manual to support the use of it, as well as an study proving its impact.

Data was a recurring theme across all pilots. Cities need reliable data to monitor hubs, understand usage, and plan effectively. Within ShareDiMobiHub we created:

• Data & Dashboard Report by Mpact: a guide to what works — and what doesn’t — when developing dashboards for municipalities. It highlights the do’s and don’ts of using data, and why standards like TOMP-API are essential for interoperability.
• Requirements in Shared Mobility Data Reporting by University of Applied Sciences Utrecht: a concrete set of guidelines on what providers should report, in what format, and how this can align with EU-wide efforts to harmonise mobility data.

Where should new hubs go? How do you balance demand, accessibility, and urban space constraints? The GIS Guide, developed by University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, offers a step-by-step method for using geographic information systems to identify the most promising locations. It provides cities with criteria, scoring methods, and examples so that hub networks can grow strategically rather than opportunistically.

A mobility hub should work for everyone — not just the digitally savvy or the physically mobile. The Hub Inclusivity Test (HIT) by Mpact provides a checklist of measures that make hubs welcoming and usable for all: from tactile paving and accessible signage to alternatives to app-only payments, sheltered benches, and safe crossing points. These recommendations ensure hubs don’t just meet technical needs but also promote equity and inclusion.

To complement the technical tools, we gathered real-world experiences in a Best Practices Report by University of Antwerp and University of Applied Sciences Utrecht. This compiles examples from pilots and other cases in the North Sea Region, showing what works, what doesn’t, and how challenges were overcome. It is the perfect starting point for any city that wants inspiration from peers.

ShareDiMobiHub set out to accelerate the uptake of shared mobility hubs, and it leaves behind much more than a collection of pilots. Over the past three years, partners have developed a comprehensive toolbox: frameworks for cooperation, impact assessment tools, data standards, location guides, inclusivity checklists, best practice collections, and an open-access learning platform. Together, these resources give cities and regions a clear pathway to plan, implement, and scale mobility hubs in ways that are both effective and inclusive.

Alongside these instruments, the project also produced pilot plans and reports, as well as thestrategies of the participating authorities. These materials document the practical lessons of designing and running shared mobility pilots, and provide insight into how cities and regions can embed hubs within broader urban mobility strategies.

The combination of tools, evidence, and strategies forms a legacy that goes beyond the project’s lifetime. It offers a shared knowledge base that any authority, operator, or planner can draw upon when taking the next step towards more sustainable, space-efficient, and accessible mobility.