Helmond
The BZOB industrial area in Helmond is a key employment hub in the Brainport Eindhoven region, hosting a large concentration of logistics, manufacturing, and technology companies. However, like many peri-urban industrial zones, it faces significant mobility and energy-related challenges. Accessibility to the area relies heavily on private cars due to limited public transport coverage and insufficient first- and last-mile connectivity in the area. These results in limited accessibility for workers without private vehicles. At the same time, industrial activities in the area require reliable energy infrastructure while transitioning towards a more sustainable and electrified operations.
BZOB currently functions as a major economic area with daily commuting flows from Helmond and surrounding municipalities. While the area is connected to the regional road network, sustainable mobility options remain limited, particularly for flexible commuting and internal mobility within the industrial area towards the city center.
Helmond has developed a strong ecosystem for innovation through the Automotive Campus and several CCAM pilots on public roads, providing technical and regulatory capacity.
Nevertheless, the integration of automated mobility, shared mobility services, and smart energy systems into a real operational environment within the industrial areas are at an early stage.
Through periASTY, BZOB will become a Living Lab for integrated mobility, energy, and industrial transition in peri-urban areas.
The project will demonstrate how automated on-demand transport services, shared electric mobility hubs, and multimodal integration with public transport can improve accessibility and reduce car dependency for workers.
In parallel, the deployment of renewable energy, smart charging infrastructure, and shared grid solutions will support industrial electrification and more efficient energy use. As a result, the area will evolve into a more accessible, low-emission, and resilient industrial area that can serve as a replicable model for peri-urban employment zones across Europe.
Topics covered
Mobility
- HM-M1 – On-Demand Automated Transportation for Industrial Areas.
- HM-M2 – Shared and Electric mobility Hubs
- HM-M3 – Integration of Mass Transit and CCAM Solutions
Energy
- HM-EN1 – Renewable Energy Expansion
- HM-EN2 – Local Energy Sharing & BMs
- HM-EN3 – AI-Driven Energy Optimization
Industry
- HM-IN1 – Industrial Decarbonization via EV Infrastructure
- HM-IN2 – Industrial Process Electrification
- HM-IN3 – Shared Grid for Industry
Governance
- HM-G1 – Data-Driven Decision-Making and Monitoring Framework
Innovations to be demostrated
- Deployment of an Automated Public Transport Service (APTS) for first- and last-mile commuting in the BZOB area.
- Technical integration of an on-demand system with automated vehicle operations.
- Multimodal mobility offer through a mobility hub, combining electric bikes, automated vehicles, and conventional bus lines.
- Expansion of renewable energy generation in the area, including wind and solar energy (and potentially water-based energy sources).
- Development of an energy community, where energy produced by KvR can be shared through their charging infrastructure.
- Decarbonization of logistics fleets, enabling charging of logistics vehicles through locally produced renewable energy.
Expected outcomes
Mobility
Offer multimodal travel options in the Industrial Park BZOB by combining on-demand automated public transport service with bus, shared and active mobility, seamlessly connecting industrial areas and the city center.
Energy
Strengthen its local energy system by expanding renewable energy generation and storage, enabling local energy sharing through innovative business models, and optimizing energy use via AI-driven management.
Industry
Support industrial decarbonization by enabling the electrification of logistics and internal industrial transport, deploying smart charging infrastructure, and facilitating shared use of high-capacity grid connections.
Governance
Strengthen governance by implementing a data-driven decision-making and monitoring framework.
Partners involved
