📣 Back with another post featuring one of the NIAA projects sponsored by the Network Institute.

🔍 Today’s spotlight is on “Designing and testing peak spreading interventions – using the VU as a living lab”, led by Floor Tazelaar and Lewis Shanahan, under the supervision of Erik Verhoef and Ivar Vermeulen.

Amid the many challenges facing the Netherlands—climate change, nitrogen emissions, public health crises, and a housing shortage—a new crisis is brewing: congestion. Since COVID-19, commuting has surged, leading to record-breaking traffic jams and overcrowded public transport. But simply expanding infrastructure won’t solve the problem—it will only attract more traffic and waste resources. Instead, the key to easing congestion lies in peak spreading—encouraging commuters to travel at different times to reduce rush-hour strain.

💡 This is where this expert team stepped in, joining forces to design an ambitious large-scale peak-spreading experiment in Amsterdam’s busiest hub, the Zuidas. By blending economic and psychological insights, they aim to shift commuter behavior effectively. With the support of public transport companies and VU Amsterdam, this project has the potential to reshape urban mobility for the better.

A huge praise to all collaborators for the effort and time put into this truly impactful work.

Collaborators

Erik Verhoef

Ivar Vermeulen

Floor Tazelaar

Lewis Shanahan