Since January, eco’s Mobility Competence Group has been under new leadership. With two proven experts from different but complementary areas of digital mobility, the group is gaining new perspectives: Paula Böcken, Senior Public Associate at Uber, offers an international platform perspective, while Dr. Judith Puttkammer, Director of Business Development at Mobility Data Space, contributes deep expertise in data ecosystems.
In this joint interview, the two leaders discuss the role of mobility data in the transport transition, regulatory and cultural hurdles, and how cooperation between business, politics and science can be designed more effectively in the future. At the same time, they provide an outlook on the strategic priorities of the Mobility Competence Group and their personal goals for the first year.
In conversation with Dr. Judith Puttkammer, Director of Business Development at Mobility Data Space
Mobility data is considered the key to the transport transition. Where do you currently see the greatest leverage that data-based collaborations in Germany are not yet sufficiently exploiting?
For sustainable mobility solutions in Germany and the EU, the main challenges lie particularly in establishing a culture of data sharing from which companies, research and citizens can benefit. To achieve this, we must reduce legal and organisational uncertainties surrounding data trading.
The Mobility Data Space brings very different players to the table. From your perspective, what success factors are needed for data sharing to actually generate new business models?
It is crucial that business cases between different partners are developed and implemented in a scalable manner from the outset. The Mobility Data Space (MDS), funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV), contributes to the scalability of business cases in various ways – for example, by coordinating standardisation between multiple data providers and data recipients for business cases under the neutral and antitrust-compliant moderation of the MDS. Likewise, data sharing in the MDS is based on a standardised interface (connector), which allows a company to share data securely and reliably with a multitude of other companies (potential for cost reduction in the area of interface management).
Interoperability and trust are key issues in data spaces. Where do you still see the biggest hurdles in practice, both technically, legally and culturally?
In general, there is still a great deal of uncertainty in the market: Am I even allowed to monetise my data? How strongly must the data be anonymised? What is my data actually worth?
Furthermore, there is a major technical challenge rooted in the fact that companies predominantly tend to handle their data products via their own platforms and shop systems. In many cases, these are isolated solutions that cannot be further developed in an interoperable manner.
The eco Competence Group Mobility thrives on exchange between business, politics and science. What impulses do you specifically want to contribute there?
As an expert in the field of data ecosystems, I would like to enrich the work of the Mobility Competence Group particularly with new impulses around the question of how we can ensure that the mobility sector benefits as quickly and sustainably as possible from the rapidly developing data economy.
Looking ahead: How will the handling of mobility data change over the next five years? And what does that mean for companies in the industry?
In the coming years, the cross-company retail of mobility data will increase significantly. On the one hand, this will enable new income and business potential for companies, and on the other hand, it will lead to the creation of new data-based products and services that will make tomorrow’s mobility more user-friendly, safer and more sustainable.
In conversation with Paula Böcken, Senior Public Policy Associate at Uber
Platform-based mobility services are changing urban transport systems worldwide. Which lessons from international markets are particularly relevant for Germany?
Uber’s international experience clearly shows that digital mobility platforms reach their full potential when they are given sufficient room to operate and are understood as an integral part of the transport system, helping to improve overall mobility.
Internationally, we see in many markets that flexible, app-based mobility services can help reduce private car use. This is particularly true where public transport is well developed and app-based services can complement it: for example, in the area of first and last mile, closing mobility gaps. This interaction can work very well in Germany too. However, it requires innovation-friendly, technology-open regulation for private mobility services.
Regulatory frameworks are a perennial topic in mobility. Where do you currently see the greatest need for regulatory modernisation?
The greatest need for modernisation exists where analogue regulations meet digital business models. Many regulations in the area of passenger transport in Germany originate from a pre-digital era when mobility was organised locally, linearly and with little reliance on data.
Today, platforms enable significantly more efficient vehicle utilisation and better control of traffic flows. Regulation should support these potentials and not slow them down. From my perspective, a good example is the mandatory return requirement for rental cars anchored in the Passenger Transport Act.
From the user’s perspective, reliability, price and comfort matter most. In your opinion, how can digital mobility services contribute even more to the acceptance of sustainable mobility?
Sustainable mobility is accepted when it works smoothly in everyday life. Digital mobility services can make a decisive contribution here by intelligently linking different modes of transport, offering affordable and transparent prices, and ensuring high availability. When users experience that they can get from A to B flexibly, predictably and comfortably – even without their own car – they are more willing to use sustainable alternatives on a long-term basis.
The Mobility Competence Group offers space for open dialogue. Which topics do you want to deliberately discuss controversially there?
I believe it’s very important to discuss future issues openly and in a nuanced way. For me, this includes autonomous driving particularly and the question of what role Germany wants to play in international comparison. Other markets are already demonstrating the potential that automated mobility services can have for safety, efficiency and sustainability. At the same time, we in Germany face the challenge of bringing together technological innovation, appropriate regulatory frameworks and societal acceptance. The Competence Group is intended to provide a space for precisely this: bringing together different perspectives and offering guidance for further development.
On a personal note: What appeals to you about your new role as Head of the Competence Group? And what goal have you set for yourself for the first year?
What particularly appeals to me is the opportunity to bring together stakeholders from very different fields. Mobility affects us all and can only be developed further together. My goal for the first year is to further establish the Competence Group as a constructive, technically sound and well-connected voice for digital mobility.
