Camille Lubon (BAC) on Mobility

“Measuring mobility is crucial for achieving a modal shift” Camille Lubon

Camille Lubon works as an Accessibility & Mobility Expert at Brussels Airport. His role involves ensuring the airport’s accessibility and promoting sustainable transport. Within the consortium, he oversees projects aimed at shifting to more sustainable modes of transport, such as the Sustainable Airport Mobility Plan and Autonomous Mobility initiatives.

In the wake of the 2024 Mobility Week, during which he gave a presentation on Mobility to Deloitte, we asked him for his insight on sustainable mobility at airports and the role of Stargate.

What are the main mobility challenges for airports?

Airports face several significant mobility challenges:

  • Congestion: Managing the influx of passengers, staff, and cargo can lead to traffic jams, delays, and increased emissions.

  • Public Transport Connectivity: Limited public transport options, especially during off-peak hours and weekends, hinder accessibility.

  • Sustainable Transport Options: Encouraging the use of public transport, cycling, or walking can be difficult, particularly for airports located outside urban areas.

  • Passenger Behavior: Convincing passengers to switch to more sustainable modes of transport can be challenging, as airports often have limited direct contact with them.

  • Adapting to New Trends: Incorporating new mobility trends like ride-sharing and autonomous vehicles requires significant infrastructure and policy changes.

How do you tackle mobility issues to start with? 

At the stage we are at, the main point is to be able to measure the current mobility habits around the airport. Among all the tools we have, we have started working with Telraam. It is a citizen science initiative that uses small, window-mounted devices to collect traffic data. These devices track pedestrians, cyclists, cars, and larger vehicles, providing valuable insights into traffic patterns and congestion.

What kind of data does this allow you to gather, that you wouldn’t have otherwise?

We use Telraam data to identify traffic patterns and anomalies, make data-driven decisions to improve traffic flow and mobility plans, evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and measures, enhance safety and security on airport roads, and optimize transport and mobility within the airport environment.

How useful is measuring mobility for modal shift?

Measuring mobility is crucial for achieving a modal shift. By collecting accurate data, airports can optimize infrastructure, reduce congestion, promote sustainable transport options, and align operations with sustainability goals.

And what will be the next steps for the modal split at Brussels Airport? 

We will expand Telraam data collection, and analyse that data to inform mobility decisions, implement measures from the Sustainable Airport Mobility Plan, and explore new mobility trends like autonomous vehicles. There is still a lot to be done, so make sure to stay tuned!

Share now!