Public Transport Optimization with Cermoni in Modena, Italy

Case Study

Digital Transformation in Public Transport with Cermoni: Vehicle and Driver Assignment Optimization

Overview

Vignola is a small city located in the Modena region of Italy, with strong interactions with its surrounding areas. The city operates a public transport network that connects both urban bus routes and neighboring towns.

Recently, the introduction of a 30 km/h speed limit in Modena and surrounding areas also affected public transport operations. This regulatory change made it necessary to adapt schedules without compromising service quality, while at the same time achieving greater cost efficiency, operational effectiveness, and environmental sustainability.

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Challenges

• Complying with new regulatory requirements

• Reducing costs while maintaining service levels

• Increasing efficiency in vehicle and driver scheduling

• Minimizing environmental impacts

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But How?

Within the scope of the project, which is also invested by EIT Urban Mobility (European Institute of Innovation and Technology Urban Mobility), Europe's largest mobility network, optimization studies have been initiated in Cermoni and Vignola. In particular, these studies address the proposal of timetables according to changes in demand on the relevant lines and the optimization of vehicle-driver assignment according to the relevant timetable.

What is the purpose?

In order to optimize the number of vehicles and drivers for the currently proposed timetable, the Municipality of Modena aims to use its resources more efficiently and provide a better service. The objective is to improve the public transport service with fewer vehicles and at lower cost, without compromising the quality of service, in compliance with new legal regulations and reducing environmental impact.

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Solution: Optimization with Cermoni

Within the scope of the EIT Urban Mobility–backed project, Cermoni was implemented to optimize Vignola’s transport operations.

Steps taken with Cermoni:

• Imported timetables of 13 bus routes into the system,

• Analyzed route length, vehicle type, and average travel time,

• Automatically optimized vehicle and driver assignments,

• Rescheduled services based on demand analysis.

Better public transportation planning with fewer vehicles and drivers

Results Achieved

The implementation of Cermoni delivered significant improvements in Vignola’s public transport system:

• Vehicles reduced from 26 to 24

• Drivers reduced from 31 to 28

• Decrease in total kilometers driven and carbon emissions

• More efficient operational processes

• A more sustainable service model without compromising quality

This planning process not only reduced the number of vehicles, but also the total mileage and carbon emissions. This minimized environmental impacts and improved service quality. Simultaneously, reducing the number of drivers made operational processes more efficient. These innovative approaches have paved the way for a more efficient, economical and environmentally friendly public transportation service in Vignola.

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Lessons Learned

• Dynamic planning is essential for integrating new regulations such as speed limits.

• Data-driven decision support systems strengthen the resilience of public transport planning.

• Efficient resource utilization lowers both operational costs and environmental impacts.

• Even small cities can benefit greatly from digital optimization solutions.

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Customer Testimonial

Daniele Paolino, Modena Public Transport Agency:

“The Cermoni Vehicle Assignment feature is easy and fast to use; it allows us to analyze vehicle usage and check the quality of our timetables. The same applies to the driver assignment tool; these features are essential to balance user needs with public costs. We chose a small city as a pilot area, and thanks to seamless communication with the Cermoni team, along with quick implementation of useful updates, the results have been very positive.”

Voice of Customer: How Cermoni is Benefiting in Italy?

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