Download PDF
The drafting of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) for the Municipality of Viterbo represented a far-reaching design challenge for TPS Pro, emblematic of the dynamics found in intermediate urban centers. With a residential density fragmented between a prestigious historic core and numerous distant hamlets (frazioni), Viterbo has historically coped with a disproportionate dependence on private vehicles, fueled by a fragmented public transport offer. Our intervention aimed to transform this critical issue into an opportunity for renewal, systematizing different travel modes through a coordinated, interconnected, and resilient vision.
The adopted methodology focused on a structural transformation of the service through three clear directions:
- Network Restructuring: Replacing the ring-based system with a network of bidirectional routes converging on a high-frequency corridor.
- Micro-planning and Isochrones: Strategic repositioning of stops at the city wall gates. This allowed the monumental historic center to be served while preserving its medieval fabric and encouraging intermodality with pedestrian movement.
- Rail Integration: Creating a strong connection with the railway network to assist those living in outlying hamlets, transforming the train into a true “surface subway” integrated with urban buses through enhanced intermodality.
This reorganization is the backbone of all transformations proposed by the Plan: from Zone 30 areas to School Streets, and from the completion of the cycling network to the strengthening of park-and-ride facilities.
A fundamental pillar of the project was the construction of a shared strategic vision between the Administration and the municipal company, Francigena srl. Through technical tables and trilateral meetings, it was possible to converge toward an integrated system that also includes regional carriers, finally guaranteeing a fluid connection between the villages and the provincial capital.
However, the technical solidity of the Plan was fueled above all by an extensive participation process. Dialogue with the territory began with a survey that gathered over 1,400 responses, providing an essential real-world database of citizen habits. In parallel, thorough press mapping activity allowed us to intercept historical expectations and critical issues reported in the local media. This consultation matured through public debate—from stakeholder forums in July 2024 to a citizens’ workshop during European Mobility Week—culminating in the October 2025 meeting for the collective validation of the final draft. This constant commitment led to the official adoption of the SUMP in March 2026, establishing a plan that was not just “top-down,” but truly shared.
The strategy definition and the selection of interventions were supported by a solid analytical base: to evaluate scenarios and calibrate proposed measures, we relied on an advanced VISUM simulation model, applied to both public and private transport. This tool allowed us to rigorously test the effectiveness of various solutions, ensuring a design based on objective data and real flows.
At the end of this complex modeling process, the simulations produced precise data on environmental impact, estimating a 13% reduction in pollutant emissions within five years of the Plan’s implementation. Beyond the numbers, the Viterbo SUMP stands as an engine for social regeneration: by breaking down barriers between the center and marginal areas, the new mobility system guarantees accessibility for all residents, transforming transport efficiency into an improved quality of urban life.
In partnership with Airis srl