C2C Bridge - Project Overview

The Country to City Bridge (C2CBridge) project addresses the transportation gap between rural and urban areas, where private cars dominate commuting, causing high energy consumption, congestion, and CO2 emissions. On average, a car used for daily commuting carries just 1.1 people, according to the "Mobility in Germany" study. C2CBridge aims to reduce reliance on private vehicles by developing a new, autonomous, ride-pooling mobility service that connects rural areas with cities, supplementing existing public transportation.

The project envisions using autonomous, battery-electric vehicles that can carry up to four passengers, including space for wheelchairs, strollers, and luggage. These vehicles will provide flexible, cost-effective, and demand-responsive transport, offering a practical alternative to private cars. At city outskirts, passengers can switch to other transport modes—like public transit or bike-sharing—at specially designed mobility hubs. Autonomous vehicles will operate in convoys to maximize space and safety on roads, improving efficiency while reducing traffic.

C2CBridge seeks to provide a seamless, integrated, and sustainable mobility service that benefits both rural and urban areas by reducing CO2 emissions, lowering costs, and enhancing accessibility.

Project Structure

The project is divided into two phases. In C2CBridge 1 (January 2024 - December 2026), the focus is on analyzing existing transport systems and designing the new mobility concept, including autonomous vehicles and mobility hubs. This phase will lay the foundation for the service by assessing mobility behavior and requirements. The second phase, C2CBridge 2, will involve implementing these concepts, focusing on vehicle automation and the development of mobility hubs. This phase also includes validating the system through real-world testing.

IIP’s Role

We are responsible for evaluating the impact of C2CBridge on the local energy system. Therefore, we will focus on how the project can contribute to the decarbonization of the energy sector by reducing the demand for electricity from private electric vehicles and public transport through optimized mobility patterns.

IIP’s role includes developing a detailed, geographically resolved model of the local energy system to assess the project's economic and ecological effects. This model will examine how the deployment of autonomous vehicles can provide flexibility to the energy system, especially by integrating renewable energy sources. By analyzing charging patterns and mobility demand, IIP will provide insights into how C2CBridge can help alleviate stress on the local grid, support renewable energy integration, and reduce overall emissions.

This research will contribute to designing a more sustainable and efficient transportation network that benefits both energy systems and mobility solutions.