The mobility turnaround in rural areas has begun, but still lags behind that of urban areas in some aspects. The intensive land use of the already implemented (and planned) settlement development in Austria and the low population density play their part. In addition, rural areas are characterised by car-centricity and low infrastructure/service offerings. In the face of the climate crisis and social change, it is time to mobilise and sustainably connect rural areas. A Regional Mobility Laboratory provides the framework to support mobility projects in such a way that they are not only successfully implemented, but also have a long-term, sustainable impact on rural areas. The networking of actors, the knowledge of regional/local peculiarities - perhaps also idiosyncrasies - and the targeted, early services prepare the ground for mobility projects and the teams behind them to grow.

In this proposal, the consortium - a strong partnership of TU Vienna & the province of Lower Austria - has outlined the exploratory process in order to subsequently project and implement a "land.mobil.LAB" in the Waldviertel. The focus is on the targeted, process-oriented preparation of the implementation of the land.mobil.LAB, as well as the spatial challenges and potentials and the specific connecting points of the region. In the prior feasibility study of the implementation, research policy, strategic objectives are pursued:

- from the niche into the social mainstream → so that innovative mobility solutions from research/development are quickly and comprehensively transferred into application practice.

- Enable sustainable transformation → initiate change processes in the societal system and integrative consideration of technical, social and organisational innovations.

Operational project goals:

a. Analyse and reflect the contexts of a regional mobility laboratory in the Waldviertel and address concrete challenges and opportunities in rural areas.

b. Appropriate ideas/innovation projects that promote or initiate the transformation of the mobility system and support third parties in a non-discriminatory way.

c. Professionally organise participation processes and successfully integrate the numerous actors in rural areas in order to coordinate attitudes, raise awareness, clarify roles, create interfaces between individual projects, etc.

d. Prepare the laboratory concept (financing, organisation, communication, self-evaluation, methods, infrastructure, etc.) for the future, permanent operation of the mobility laboratory in a roadmap.

In addition, the following basic processes will be deepened:

- Understanding: What local potentials exist in rural areas (self-organisation, commitment, sense of community, etc.) to organise mobility as climate-neutral, sustainable, inclusive, etc. as possible?

- Implementing: Against the background of legal, administrative, political, etc. conditions, how can mobility be organised? How can mobility innovations be tested and demonstrated with users against the background of legal, administrative, political, etc. framework conditions in real experiments in order to ensure a high level of acceptance and to exclude rebound effects?

- Passing on: How can mobility innovations be disseminated quickly and comprehensively, but possibly adapted for use elsewhere in order to be suitable and sustainable there for longer? How can mobility innovations be integrated into political processes and strategies?

The following specific objectives and starting points for the land.mobil.LAB result from the initial situation of rural areas:

1. raise awareness of mobility alternatives

2. improve social participation in social life

3. substituting, shortening and shifting the time of journeys

4. optimise and reduce car use and strengthen the use of eco-mobility.

The mature project process and the existing networks and experience of the consortium in the Waldviertel make it possible to complete this exploratory project in a short time (12 months). Before the end of the project in autumn 2023, the aim is to have the application for the implementation of the land.mobil.LAB in the Waldviertel fully prepared and submitted. The results/ findings of the exploratory project form the basis: roadmap, management/financing/communication plan, project map, map of actors, toolkit, etc.