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Measures and Progress
The project consists of two phases:
1. Collecting and studying successful measures
2. Implementation of measures At present, phase 1 has been completed and phase 2 is about to get underway. Phase 1 resulted in a set of measures to improve the accessibility to Mediapark. Both the contents and the process of implementing the measures have been detailed with much attention. After all, making clear agreements is crucial for the implementation, the management and the evaluation of measures. Especially the roles and responsibilities of the parties involved must be clear. The working group’s final report is therefore more than a listing of the measures, as it includes their cost and the budget with which to fund those costs as well. In addition, the report indicates which parties are responsible for implementation, management and maintenance. Finally, the report contains a short action plan for each measure, including a time schedule and important focus points for the implementation. In short, the report is a good foundation for the implementation of the individual measures. It is, as it were, an executive programme for mobility management at Mediapark. 
Railway station Hilversum North is not accessible from Mediapark Early 2006, a formal decision, based on the final report, will be made about the implementation of the measures. The selected measures will be implemented starting spring 2006. A successful implementation of mobility management requires that all measures be in tune with each other. The communication and promotion of measures, too, can be put to a more efficient and effective use when they are co-ordinated at a central level. In short, there are various sides to the implementation of measures that transcend the level of individual businesses. That is why appointing a mobility manager is an important first step in the implementation of mobility management. An additional advantage of the mobility manager is that businesses and their staff will have one central contact for the accessibility of Mediapark in general and for the measures in particular. The measures are divided in two sets. The measures are described in brief below. * Set of measures for reliability and improving travel time Signage on Mediapark grounds
At present, only the main entrance to Mediapark is used extensively. This results in a considerable congestion at the end of main events and shows especially. Visitors looking for a parking space are also a source of traffic. By providing signage, guiding traffic headed north to the north exit for example, a better spreading of traffic may be achieved. Good routing can also result in shorter delays at the entrance to the park. Route information from and to surrounding motorways
The problems that are experienced as the worst are the routes from the surrounding motorways to Mediapark and back. Most days, delays aren’t really that bad, but occasionally they can be sizeable. The result: traffic in byroads and travellers’ uncertainty about the best route to take. Route information that indicates the congestion levels of the various supply roads can remove this uncertainty. Hilversum’s integrated accessibility plan (Integraal Bereikbaarheidsplan Hilversum) stipulates that new traffic lights are to be placed. Together with the existing lights these new ones will be operated from a yet to be built, central, computerised traffic management station. According to the plans, this entire system will be operational in five years’ time. Investments will be most efficient if the Digital Route Information Panels (referred to as DRIPs in the Netherlands) are combined with this system. Loops at traffic lights provide basic data, which is transmitted to the central computer. The only investment necessary to provide route information on the DRIPs is in software and panels.
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Accessibility website
Before they leave, travellers can obtain information on the accessibility of Mediapark through a website. An important feature is that the website provides information about all the different modes of transport, which makes this the website on the accessibility of Mediapark. Visitors to the website may choose to display travel and route information only. Once the website displays more information, visitors obtain added value. That way, new initiatives to improve accessibility can be brought to the users’ attention through the website. In short, the website plays an important role in promotion and communication. A good way of getting the accessibility website underway is to start by posting static information on it, with the latest news about road repairs and detours. Modifications to timetables can also be posted, as well as weblinks to external parties who give further information. In a couple of years, when real-time information from the traffic management station becomes available, live information for car traffic can be added as well. Real-time information on public transport, too, can be included by making deals with the Dutch railway company and/or the Reisinformatiegroep, who are able to provide that data. Back-again guarantee
Even before successful measures were collected and studied, it had been decided to run a shuttle bus. Practical problems, however, have prevented the shuttle bus from operating yet. Moreover, a shuttle bus is not the solution for all staff, as it doesn’t run outside of rush hours. This may deter people from travelling by public transport, even though in practice it turns out that there is seldom need for transport outside of rush hours. This barrier can be removed by allowing staff to claim their right to a ‘and-back-again’ guarantee several times a year. This guarantee can be provided by using a normal taxi, which would bring staff from Mediapark back to Hilversum railway station. * Set of measures for making alternatives more attractive Bicycle scheme, bicycle facilities
At present, several small-scaled initiatives exist to encourage the use of bicycles. However, they are not geared to one another and also not well known among staff. A proper co-ordination of the measures, some improvements and good communication can lead to a good overall package for the bicycle. To call attention to this overall package, it is a good idea to have a bicycle scheme. This scheme should contain practical details of the improvements and measures for bicycles. Measures that will be addressed in the scheme include:
• Service point for public-transport bicycles
• Loan bicycles at several locations in Mediapark
• Bicycle sheds in Mediapark
• Showers and dressing facilities Package tickets
In the future, a package ticket for visitors to the NIBG, the Netherlands Institute of Sound and Image (Nederlands Instituut voor Beeld en Geluid), is an interesting option, especially on busy days. Certainly if the package ticket offers added value, in the form of a discount or a free drink. The cost of the package ticket depends on the way in which it is marketed. If it is also offered as a discount ticket (train + admission = discount) marketing costs will be higher than when it is a package ticket only. Mobility pass, 1st phase
A mobility pass gives staff access to all the various modes of transport. A good moment to introduce such a pass is when major alterations to the infrastructure are being carried out, such as those described in Hilversum’s integrated accessibility plan. That is the very time accessibility is temporarily poor. 
A large parking garage The mobility pass can be introduced in the short term (the 1st phase) by introducing it for use of the shuttle bus and the car park. The budget on the mobility pass could, for example, be sufficient for a year’s travel with the shuttle bus or six months’ parking (staff would have to pay for the next six months themselves). A mixed use of the budget is also an option. Mobility pass, 2nd phase
In the long term (the 2nd phase) staff will also be able to use their mobility pass to have access to public-transport bicycles and public transport. This will make it more convenient to use alternative modes of transport. To achieve this, it is important to make good agreements with third parties, such as the Dutch railway company and OV-fiets (the public-transport bicycle company). Other OPTIMUM² projects have demonstrated that this is quite possible: after having tried public transport with the mobility pass, a number of people have made a definite switch to public transport, or travel that way several days a week. Tailored mobility advice
Many people are unaware of all the possible ways to travel. The client panels confirm this. That makes changing circumstances an especially good time to inform travellers of their various options. Relocating, changing jobs and large-scaled developments and construction work, which change accessibility, are examples of good times to supply travellers with information on their travel options.
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