Solent taps real-time data to regulate micromobility

A new partnership between Solent Transport and mobility data company Vianova is using real-time analytics to reshape how shared micromobility schemes are governed–offering a live model for other authorities preparing to regulate or expand similar services.

The Solent area, covering Southampton, Portsmouth, South Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight is home to some of the highest levels of car dependency in southern England.

Under the UK Government’s £29 million Future Transport Zone (FTZ) programme, Solent Transport is piloting new technologies to promote greener mobility. The partnership with Vianova aims to help local authorities manage shared e-scooter and e-bike operations through real-time data from over 2,000 connected vehicles and more than 500 parking hubs.

“With 1.25 million people and high levels of car dependency, the potential for shared micromobility in the Solent is immense,” said Marcus Miller, Head of Business Development, UK, at Vianova. “We’re delighted to be working with Solent Transport to help them continue to unlock this potential.”

The Vianova platform gives public agencies access to independently verified data to enforce service-level compliance and monitor rider behaviour.

“As an independent third party, Vianova employs multiple methods to verify the completeness and reliability of data feeds,” Miller told Cities Today. “Our automated ‘feed doctor’ tools continuously monitor the health of real-time feeds, detecting any data inconsistencies. Additionally, we equip public authorities with on-the-ground reporting tools, enabling them to verify that feeds include data from all vehicles.”

The partnership is designed not only to improve local oversight but also to serve as a reference for other cities.

“Vianova regularly shares insights with other public authorities looking to deploy micromobility through our involvement in various industry forums and events,” Miller said.

Phil Jordan, Chair of Solent Transport’s Joint Committee and Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, said: “The historic and real-time information provided by Vianova provides even more insight into how we can continuously improve e-scooter and e-bike services for our residents and visitors by monitoring where riders are parking, and making sure there’s always a vehicle available when users need it.”

As national legislation on shared micromobility evolves, the Solent initiative offers a working model of how smart data can support better transport decisions.

Image: Alexandre Rosa | Dreamstime.com