Ultimob" project

Ötztal strives for car-free travel

Mobility researcher Markus Mailer explained the four-year project period leading up to implementation.

(Bild: Hubert Daum)

In a major project commissioned by the Federal Ministry, the Ötztal pilot region is testing new ways for guests to travel car-free. After four years of intensive work led by the University of Innsbruck, the region is already in the implementation phase for the mobility of the future.

As in the Außerfern and Gurgltal valleys, people in Ötztal are fed up with traffic jams. Around 80 percent of guests still travel by car and only ten percent by train. Well aware of this problem area, the tourism destination made itself available to a project of the responsible ministry back in 2019.

"Ultimob" is the name of the flagship project, which took four years to conduct extensive and scientific research into the mobility of the future in four regions. On behalf of the entire tourism industry, the University of Innsbruck, as project leader, worked with its partners Ötztaler Verkehrsgesellschaft, Verkehrsverbund Tirol (VVT) and the carpooling platform "Ummadum" on new concepts for a vacation without a car.

Luggage and "last mile" arguments against rail
"It all started with extensive surveys," explained mobility researcher Markus Mailer at the closing event, "arguments against traveling by train were the transport of luggage and sports equipment and the so-called first or last mile." In hindsight, the fact that the buses to Ötztal are already scheduled every half hour is a stroke of luck. And the solutions have already been implemented: As a basis, "multimodal hubs" have been installed in Sölden at the post office and at the Gaislachkogel lift - a center of all different types of transport.

The bike and luggage storage boxes at the Postplatz stop are part of the overall concept.

(Bild: DAUM Hubert)

"There are also interactive LED screens here as an information platform," adds "Ötztaler" boss Franz Sailer. The logistical prerequisites for luggage transport have also been created. "We have set up ten boxes centrally in Sölden for storing bikes and luggage, which can be easily booked via an app," explained Alexandra Medwedeff from VVT.

"Ummadum" should close the gap
And the accommodation? "Ride-sharing" is the magic word that the up-and-coming ride-sharing platform "Ummadum" is turning into reality. The community has already grown to around 500. Living space manager Raphael Kuen: "From the beginning of February until now, the ride-sharing platform has had 1,400 activities."

The transferability of the solutions to other regions in Austria was just as important an aspect as the benefits for mobility in the regions as a whole. The Seilschaft is convinced that the population and employees will also benefit from the new developments. "Arrivals" by train should therefore no longer be statistical "outliers".