Towards a MaaS for all. A Methodology to Identify the Determinants of Autonomy to Enhance the Mobility Capital of Vulnerable Social Groups in Sardinia (Italy)

Mobility as a Service can be a key solution for sustainable and inclusive transport systems. By integrating different transport modes into a unique digital platform that suggests personalised travel solutions, it helps reduce reliance on the private car and provides both efficient and environmentally friendly mobility solutions while also ensuring equal access to mobility. This research explores the applicability of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) for all, looking at the determinants of its use by vulnerable groups of citizens. By providing an assistive technology that supports people in their door-to-door journeys, MaaS represents a useful tool for all users and especially for people with travel limitations (non-drivers, elderly, people with physical and cognitive impairments, etc.) who are at higher risk of exclusion from community life. The widespread use of navigation and journey planning apps, even among people with special needs, and the emergence of the MaaS concept, make these tools a real opportunity to increase the mobility capital and achieve social sustainability goals together with environmental and economical ones. However, barriers of diverse nature exist and limit the usability of new mobility solutions. To explore this issue, we propose an approach centred on people and their capabilities, starting with a survey on travel autonomy of vulnerable groups in the context of Sardinia. Individual and environmental factors that influence the ability to travel independently in the city and to use assistive technologies for mobility will be investigated, with the aim of capturing some enabling requirements to be included in the design of MaaS for all.