The Data-Driven Mobility Analytics Workshop Series 2025

Building collaborative tools for sustainable transport


Overview

Research and development of new mobility analysis tools is essential for addressing growing challenges in urbanization, public health, and climate change. While policy action is urgently needed, policymakers must first have access to evidence-based solutions. These solutions rely on the detailed analysis of real-world data and scenario modeling. Although data analytics has advanced significantly in recent years, there remains a need for greater collaboration among mobility analysis experts. Bringing such experts together to exchange ideas, share tools, and develop accessible platforms for sharing datasets will enhance the effectiveness of mobility research and policy development.

Through funded by the Government of Quebec and the Nordic Council of Ministers, we are convening a series of workshops focused on discussion and collaborative development of toolkits for sustainable mobility data analytics. The workshops aim to bring together experts in geospatial data analytics, mobility, transportation, and sustainable technologies to address our real-world challenges. More specifically, these workshops have three primary objectives:

  • Collaborative discussion on the development of an open, sustainable mobility analytics toolkit
  • Educating researchers, policymakers, and students on the latest approaches for sustainable mobility analytics, and
  • Strengthening collaboration with mobility research teams from around the world.

These workshops are jointly organized by research teams from McGill University, Canada, Aalto University, Finland, and University of Uppsala, Sweden. Currently, two workshops are being planned. The first workshop will take place on the 5th of May, 2025 in Otaniemi, Espoo, Finland. The second will take place in late 2025 (date TBA) in Montreal, Canada.






Data-Driven Mobility Analytics Workshop #1

5 May 2025 • Otaniemi, Espoo, Finland

I conjuction with the 19th Conference on Location Based Services



Motivation

The urgency of addressing urban sustainability and climate change has never been greater, with cities facing increasing pressure to provide equitable, low-carbon mobility solutions. Transportation is a important factor in both environmental sustainability and social equity, yet cities often struggle to integrate data-driven approaches that optimize mobility while reducing emissions and improving accessibility. This workshop, the first of two, is motivated by the need to bridge this gap by fostering collaboration between experts in geospatial data analytics, transport modeling, and sustainable mobility. By bringing together researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders from around the world, our aim is to broaden the conversation on current analytical tools, toolkits, and methods that support informed decision-making in sustainable transport planning.

Beyond technical discussion, the workshop will emphasize knowledge-sharing and capacity building, ensuring that emerging mobility analytics methods are accessible to a broad audience, including students and policymakers. These workshops will not only facilitate the co-creation of an open-source analytics toolkit but also cultivate long-term international partnerships that extend beyond the project’s duration. By leveraging regional expertise and data resources, we aim to lay the groundwork for scalable, climate-adapted mobility solutions that can be applied across diverse urban contexts. Through hands-on training, collaborative discussions, and applied case studies, participants will gain valuable insights into sustainable mobility analytics and contribute to shaping the future of data-driven transportation planning.



Call for Participation

Participation of this workshop is free, but space is limited. To express your interest in participating, please submit a brief Statement of Interest (max 500 words) via the form below. It should include:

  • Your interest in the workshop topic – How does your work or research align with sustainable mobility analytics?
  • Your current area of research or professional expertise – What relevant experience or insights do you bring to the workshop?
  • Any relevant projects, datasets, or tools you are currently working on (if applicable).

Please submit your Statement of Interest by April 14. The organizers will review all submissions and selected participants will be notified by April 21. For any questions, feel free to contact us.

Submit Statement of Interest Here



Provisional Program

The workshop will take place, in-person, in Otaniemi, Espoo, Finland (building details to follow).

  • 09:00 - 09:30  Welcome & Objectives
  • 09:30 - 10:30  Introductions
  • 10:30 - 11:00  Coffee Break
  • 11:00 - 12:00  Platform & Framework Demos
  • 12:00 - 13:00  Lunch
  • 13:00 - 14:00  Lightning Talks
  • 14:00 - 15:00  Directed questions & Group discussion
  • 15:00 - 15:30  Coffee Break
  • 15:30 - 17:00  Discussion & Collaborative Planning



Sustainable Urban Mobility Challenge @ DDMA2025 – Call for Submissions!

Are you passionate about sustainable cities, data, and creative solutions for urban mobility? Join the Sustainable Urban Mobility Challenge at the DDMA2025 workshop for a chance to showcase your skills, win prizes, and contribute to cutting-edge discussions in the field!

The Challenge

Your task is to develop an interesting and novel analysis, platform/toolkit, or visualization using at least one of the three mobility datasets provided below. You're welcome to supplement these with any additional datasets and use any software or tools of your choice.

We encourage creativity, clarity, and innovation, whether you're analyzing e-scooter patterns, building an interactive web map, or creating a prototype analysis toolkit.

Key Information

  • Eligibility: Open to all individuals or teams. We especially encourage submissions from students and early-career researchers.
  • Submission Deadline: 21 April, 2025
  • Submit here: https://forms.office.com/r/JuwSyUTaZS
  • Winners Notified: 28 April, 2025
  • Workshop Date: 5 May, 2025
  • Workshop Presentation: The top 3 projects will be invited to present during the workshop.
  • Copyright: Participants retain full copyright of their work, but by entering the challenge, agree to share it at the workshop and a link to the project on the workshop website.

Prizes

  • Glory and fame
  • Grand Prize: €100 Giftogram gift card
  • 2 Runner-Up Prizes: €50 Giftogram gift cards each
    (Prizes will be delivered in the winner’s preferred currency.)

Datasets

Notes

  • By submitting to this challenge, you agree to attend the workshop and present your findings if selected as one of the top three projects.
  • The organizing committee will judge the competition and they are responsible for determining the winner and runners-up. All decisions are final.

We look forward to seeing your ideas in action. Good luck!



Organizers