ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

Road safety innovations for the future 

AS Bercman Technologies, founded in 2016, is revolutionising road safety with its innovative solutions for pedestrian crosswalks. Through their Smart Pedestrian Crosswalk (SPC), they aim to mitigate road traffic accidents and significantly contribute to the advancement of autonomous vehicle technologies across Europe. 

 Smart solutions for safer roads 
Bercman’s key product, the Smart Pedestrian Crosswalk (SPC), improves traffic safety at unregulated crosswalks. This adaptive device alerts road users to potential hazards, ensuring greater awareness and safer interactions for vulnerable road users. With a focus on reducing fatalities, especially among pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, Bercman continues to push the boundaries of smart city and road solutions. 

Protecting vulnerable road users 
With an eye on the EU market, Bercman aims to expand the reach of their SPC to reduce the staggering number of annual traffic deaths, especially those involving vulnerable road users. Their product has already entered multiple European markets, contributing to safer roads and advancing the smart mobility sector. Despite challenges in market entry, Bercman remains committed to scaling their solutions. 

Learn more about this inspiring initiative

More inspiring initiatives

ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

Free public transport programme for residents of Tallinn, Estonia, aims for equal mobility opportunities

The City of Tallinn (Estonia) started providing free public transport to its residents from January 1, 2013, making Tallinn the first capital in the European Union to provide free public transport to its citizens. The programme was initiated by the Tallinn City Government which is led by the Center Party.

Not for visitors
Fares are free for residents registered as living in Tallinn, but not for tourists and visitors. Residents are still required to validate their travel card when boarding. Anyone found without a validated travel ticket will be fined €40.

Global attention
Instead of the free public transport costing them money, the city reports that they are turning a profit of €20 million a year. It is no surprise that there is great interest in Tallinn’s free public transport program from all over the world.

Equal opportunities for all citizens
The programme aims to safeguard social cohesion of the local community in Tallinn, granting equal mobility opportunities to all social strata. This especially benefits price-sensitive residents. It also aims to incentivise car-drivers to switch to public transport, thus reducing pollution and noise, and, in the long run, improving living standards of all citizens. The Tallinn metropolitan area has set itself the target of reducing its car traffic by 10-20% by 2035.

Learn more about this inspiring initiative

More inspiring initiatives

ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

Car-Free Avenue revitalises city centre of Tartu, Estonia, and brings its citizens together

The city of Tartu (Estonia) has focused on creating public spaces that bring together citizens to define mutual values, build a sustainable society and improve the quality of life in Tartu. To achieve this, the city closed one of its main streets for car traffic and opened it for its citizens during the whole month of July: a ‘Car-Free Avenue’ was created. This took place for the first time in July 2020.

The curious spatial displacement introduced to the Car-Free Avenue was a new context for various planned and spontaneous activities. It became a hot spot for open air events like dance courses, morning yoga, national radio broadcast pop-ups, concerts and more. Most importantly, it initiated public discussions all over Estonia about climate change, excessive car ownership and different methods for tackling the issues faced when building a sustainable future.

Connecting areas and generations
The Car-Free Avenue is located in between the classical old town and the river Emajõgi that flows through the city. There was a long-standing debate on how to revitalize the Emajõgi riverside and create a connection between this area and the old town. The Car-Free Avenue improved the connection between the prominent areas and even became a meeting point for different generations. With its affordable activities for both children and the elderly, the initiative benefited young families with children, low-income citizens and elderly people.

Impact in and beyond Tartu
Themes of sustainability, waste reduction, social separation, as well as mental and social well-being were addressed during the period of the Car-Free Avenue. Interestingly, the initiative’s impact was not limited to one particular street: it inspired other events in the city centre, as well as in other European cities. Three weeks after the start of Car-Free Avenue in Tartu a similar action was taken in the capital of Latvia (Riga) where one street in the city centre was closed for car traffic.

Learn more about this inspiring initiative

More inspiring initiatives