Smart City Stuttgart

With the help of the digital twin mobility and environment, a dynamic image and at the same time an improved basis for the control and optimisation of urban traffic and environmental systems is being built. This also creates an image of reality by means of which changes or measures can be tested and simulated in advance. The goal is to sustainably reduce pollutant emissions in the City of Stuttgart by setting up this digital information infrastructure. The digital twin measure focuses on the networking of existing systems and databases, on closing data gaps and on the provision of data and services in line with requirements.

Since 2020, all SSB buses have been running only on synthetic fuel. This has significantly reduced emissions of nitrogen oxides and soot pollution from the buses. All diesel buses were previously already equipped with soot particle filters and had the green environmental badge. Newly developed, nitrogen oxide-reducing and antiviral filters have been installed in all buses. In addition, the city center lines have been served entirely by low-emission buses since 2018. 

Legislation already stipulates mandatory order quotas for zero-emission vehicles when renewing the fleet. As part of the climate protection targets of the state capital Stuttgart (climate neutrality by 2035), the conversion of the SSB bus fleet to zero-emission drives also plays an important role: In a first stage by 2027, the conversion is to take place for all city center bus lines. In addition to the procurement of new vehicles with fuel cell or battery technology, the conversion of operations from conventional diesel propulsion to alternative forms of propulsion requires the construction and operation of special charging or refueling infrastructure.

The Integrated Traffic Control Centre Stuttgart (IVLZ) is responsible for cross-modal traffic management in Stuttgart. All those responsible for mobility and safety in Stuttgart come together under one roof. The integrative approach of the IVLZ, which is unique in Germany, includes congestion reduction, congestion avoidance, the perfect coordination of public transport, pedestrians, bicycle traffic and car traffic as well as measures for air pollution control. Using existing technical systems, such as signalling systems, guidance systems, dynamic traffic information boards, as well as the networking of technical systems and new innovative developments in digitalisation, the IVLZ optimises overall traffic and thus also makes a major contribution to improving air quality.

The Max Eyth Lake in Stuttgart-Hofen is the largest lake in the Stuttgart area with an area of about 17 ha. Due to its high nutrient load, the artificial shallow water lake tends to have a strong growth of algae, including blue-green algae, especially in the summer periods, which leads to large oxygen deficits in the lake when the algae populations collapse due to weather conditions. The result is that the lake turns green, as was the case in September 2019.

In order to continuously monitor the development of the oxygen content and other parameters in Max Eyth Lake, the installation of measuring devices with remote data transmission capability is being driven forward. Experts also refer to the technology used as the “Internet of Things (IoT)”. In this way, the employees of the Civil Engineering Office can permanently monitor the water. The integrated alarm system also allows for a quick response time in case the measurements reveal critical values. Negative developments in water quality are thus detected at an early stage.

The protection and safety of citizens and infrastructure is a top priority for the City of Stuttgart. Climate change causes extreme weather events, which are among the challenges of our time. In order to ensure safety and to meet the challenges with effective measures, the first flood retention basins and reservoirs have been equipped with measuring devices to record water levels. This makes remote monitoring of water levels possible. In addition, alarms in the event of heavy rainfall can be triggered on demand and in good time, and countermeasures can be initiated.

The Office for Environmental Protection has developed the "Solar Atlas" in cooperation with the City Surveyor's Office. Interested citizens can use it to find out whether the roof of their house is suitable for a PV system without any major hurdles. The solar atlas can be accessed at https://maps.stuttgart.de/solaratlas/. The map shows the photovoltaic potential of Stuttgart's roof areas. Clicking on a building takes you to the linked solar calculator. There, the size of the roof as well as the potential electricity yield and the costs incurred can be estimated quickly and easily. The site analysis and potential calculation were carried out on the basis of laser scan data.

The City of Stuttgart and the Stuttgart Region Motor Vehicle Guild present the “Virtual Centre for Electromobility”, which was created with the support of the Stuttgart Region Association. Information on e-vehicles, workshops, charging infrastructure and funding opportunities in Stuttgart and the entire region are presented in a bundled form on a central internet platform.

polygo stands for mobility and services in the Stuttgart region. The polygoCard and, from 2021, the polygoApp will provide easy access to a wide range of mobility services. The polygoCard is the e-ticket for public transport, the key to all sharing offers (station-based and free floating car sharing, bicycles and pedelecs, electric kick scooters and e-scooters, cargo bikes, bicycle garages) and over 200 charging stations in Stuttgart. All partners offer polygo customers exclusive discounts.

The Green City Plan for the design of sustainable and emission-free mobility describes measures for air pollution control via 14 bundles of measures in the areas of traffic and mobility management and traffic planning. The focus areas include digitalisation, networking of mobility offers and services, strengthening/promotion of public transport, cycling and walking, electrification and urban logistics. The bundles of measures are evaluated in terms of their effects on transport and emissions.

Automated and networked driving, but also new forms of traffic control, require communication between vehicles and traffic lights. Together with Porsche, the city administration is testing this new type of communication via a WiFi connection in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen with “road side units” installed at the traffic lights. This first step towards a digitalised road is thus leaving the laboratory and being tried out in everyday life and in real operation.

Providing sufficient parking space and using it sensibly – a constant challenge for cities. How can parking spaces close to the city centre be used effectively and sustainably outside of the public space, e.g. in privately operated parking garages? In the joint project “ParkUp”, the City of Stuttgart is working on solution strategies together with Fraunhofer IAO and other project partners. The aim is to develop digital utilisation concepts that improve urban traffic and logistics flows and thus relieve the burden on citizens and the environment.

Contact: Dr. Manuela Wohlhüter,  Dr. Simone Plahuta (deputy)

The Stuttgart region has launched a comprehensive digitalisation project for the economy and society. In a partnership expansion with Deutsche Telekom, the region will be supplied with fibre optics across the board. By 2025, all businesses in commercial areas and half of the households are to have access to high-speed internet in the gigabit range on a fibre-optic basis. By 2030, 90 percent of households are to be supplied. These goals can only be achieved in a concerted regional effort in close cooperation with the private sector. Joint investments of 1.6 billion are planned for this purpose.

Contact: Mathias Bartuschek 

In Stuttgart's city centre, delivery traffic has a large and growing share of the total traffic volume. The delivery vehicles temporarily have a high demand for – mostly public – areas for loading and unloading the goods. Often, however, the areas intended as loading zones are misused by other road users, so that the delivery service providers park “in the second row” and block cycle paths or pedestrian routes. This causes traffic to come to a standstill and creates dangerous situations, especially for non-motorised road users.

The “SmartZone” project starts here and aims to better manage delivery traffic in the City of Stuttgart. Together with the platform provider PARKUNLOAD, the digitalisation of loading zones is being conceptualised, piloted and evaluated in the project.

Contact: Dr. Manuela Wohlhüter,  Dr. Simone Plahuta (deputy)

With the “Digital Concierge”, the hotel industry gets a compact and easy-to-use tool to further increase the quality of advice and information for their guests.

The “Digital Concierge” provides daily updated and target group specific information on leisure, adventure and event offers, so that the reception can provide the guest with suitable recommendations for organising their stay.

The information offered can be adapted to the individual requirements of the hotel businesses:

depending on the hotel location and the desired leisure topics, an individual list of bookable offers is created for the guest.

Contact:  Stuttgart-Marketing GmbH, Martin Füssenhäuser (opens in a new tab)   

Various web-based tools have been developed that enable the online booking of tourist services (hotels, city tours, experiences).

Contact:  Stuttgart-Marketing GmbH, Martin Füssenhäuser (opens in a new tab)

Digital data is a fundamental basis for decision-making in all areas of life. However, the diverse, already existing data, for example from the areas of supply and disposal, administration, health, construction, mobility, environment, logistics, transport or economy, are still too little interconnected. The urban data platform is intended to change this. The combination of data will then produce evaluations that generate significant added value both within the city administration and for businesses and citizens. The urban data platform is based on an overarching concept that realises the flexible and secure integration and networking of urban data via standardised interfaces. In this way, optimal digital support for citizens can be ensured quickly and as required. At the same time, a common database forms the basis for the use of key technologies such as neural networks or artificial intelligence.

As part of the digitalisation strategy “Digital MoveS – Stuttgart.Gestaltet.Zukunft” (Stuttgart.Shapes.Future), the City of Stuttgart has set itself the goal of successively offering its administrative services online. Currently, more than 200 administrative services are already online. New online services are added every month. The law to improve online access to administrative services (Online Access Law – OZG) provides that municipalities also offer their administrative services digitally via administrative portals.ltungsportale auch digital anbieten. 

In addition to the mandatory digital submission of applications in accordance with the Online Access Act, the city administration wants to ensure that procedures relating to building law are processed and decided upon without media discontinuity. Tools are being developed and introduced that enable the handling of digital construction documents, the digital participation of other specialist departments, digital inspection by neighbors as defined in Section 55 of the LBO, the fully digital creation of a final decision in digital written form, and its digital delivery.

As this is largely new territory, these tools are being evaluated in live operation, and any need for change identified and initiated accordingly. Currently, the introduction of a modified front end for applicants and a more user-friendly tool for inspection by neighbors are about to be introduced.

The viewing tools (hardware and software) are currently being adapted for the processing and legal evaluation of digital building documents.

The implementation of the new document management system (DMS) forms the basis for the introduction of the city-wide e-file. It serves as a uniform and central platform for all documents, files and processes. In addition to the connection of specialised procedures, cross-office and completely digital work processes as well as audit-proof archiving of documents become possible.

After completion of the tender and selection of the DMS, the co-development and continuous implementation of the software in the municipal IT landscape has been taking place since 2022.

Particularly noteworthy is the installation of an innovative access and authorisation system. This is continuously used on the basis of the entries in the human resources management system and thus ensures reliable and up-to-date management of access.

In combination with the organisational data (job information), which is also used for leave applications, for example, the long-term basis is thus laid for almost all release workflows.

An important milestone in the course of the project implementation is the productive implementation of the electronic personnel file, which should take place at the end of 2023.

In parallel, preparatory work is being carried out for the inclusion of further applications in the DMS (e.g. Job Centre archive, building guarantees).

The replacement of the old heterogeneous DMS systems takes place while continuously ensuring ongoing operations.

In Stuttgart, there are around 200 charging stations for electric cars in public spaces. This corresponds to around 400 charging points, because each charging station usually has two charging points as well as two separate parking facilities. The construction of almost 300 additional locations was awarded to several investors. For this purpose, an interactive map was set up, which enabled the investors to select the possible locations and at the same time is an ideal tool for the city administration to monitor the implementation. This also makes it transparent for citizens and the general public where new charging infrastructure is planned.

The city has smart waste bins. The municipal waste containers are equipped with a chip. This chip records the date and time of each individual container and its emptying at the refuse collection vehicle, registers it in the on-board computer of the vehicle and transfers it to the container management programme of the waste management company (Eigenbetrieb Abfallwirtschaft, AWS).

In addition, the city already has several smart public waste bins, so-called solar press shark systems, in use, which compact the waste in such a way that 4 to 6 times the bin volume can be accommodated. Furthermore, sensors transmit the filling level via internet to the AWS, so that an additional emptying of the waste bin can be carried out if necessary.

Explore the City of Stuttgart with numerous interactive maps. The GeoPortal Stuttgart offers you a wide range of spatial data, services and products for the Stuttgart city area. In addition to city maps, base maps and aerial photographs, you will also find data and information on numerous specialist topics, e.g. from the areas of planning, environment, transport and leisure. Special highlights currently include the 3D city model and the digital city encyclopaedia Stuttgart.

The municipal participation portal “Stuttgart – Meine Stadt” (Stuttgart – My City) is aimed at all Stuttgart residents. On the platform, they can find out about various plans of the city administration and current participation projects. They can also actively participate in selected projects online.

Today, an encyclopaedia no longer has to consist of many thick books: The digital city encyclopaedia Stuttgart offers historical knowledge to go, for everyone and at any time. It provides a constantly growing number of texts, maps and images on Stuttgart's history: 

• Without an app and without registration, directly to the smartphone, tablet or PC.
• To inform, research and try out.

On the e-government portal My Service Stuttgart, cultural organizers can independently enter their events. After a short moderation by the cultural office, these are then displayed in the event calendar on the website of the city of Stuttgart.

Citizens can find out about current cultural events in Stuttgart there.

The Welcome-Ticket StuttCard grants you many advantages at over 50 partners for 24, 48 or 72 hours – optionally with or without an integrated public transport ticket.

Including:

-       Free admission to 27 exciting museums and numerous leisure facilities in Stuttgart and the region

-       Discount on the Stuttgart Citytour – experience the city in a relaxed way in a convertible bus

-       Attractive discounts in selected theatres for your personal stage wow moment

-       Great offers at our retail partners – whether for souvenirs or shopping

-       A free refreshing drink or delicious dessert awaits you in selected typical Stuttgart restaurants

Coming soon: StuttCard PLUS – the card with public transport ticket

With the StuttCard PLUS you are also completely mobile: you have free travel on public transport in the entire Stuttgart region (VVS network, 2nd class). The card is valid as a ticket for all buses as well as underground and suburban trains.

Contact:  Stuttgart-Marketing GmbH, Martin Füssenhäuser (opens in a new tab)

The new digital pedestrian information system (FLS) in Stuttgart is unique in the way it works.

The classic approach of conventional signposts combined with state-of-the-art technology and dynamic content, stationary and mobile – for an optimal city experience! Smart pillars with arrows that can be moved 360° point the way to tourist attractions and events in the city with brilliant LED displays. Always up-to-date and in dynamic change! The mobile website offers additional information as well as seamless route guidance to the event locations and the possibility to buy an online ticket.

Contact:  Stuttgart-Marketing GmbH, Martin Füssenhäuser (opens in a new tab)

The monitors are an important addition to the tourist service and advice offer, providing visitors with inspiration and information for their stay directly upon arrival in the city (at the airport / at the beginning of Königstraße).

Currently there are the following installations:

-       iPunkt: touchscreen, Welcome Wall, large-screen monitors

-       Airport: Tourist Information Airport: touchscreen, video wall, monitors; baggage handling; Terminal 3: Welcome Wall

-       Fair: touchscreen, large screen monitor

-       TV tower: touch screen, large screen monitor

In addition, touchscreens have also been set up in some municipalities in the Stuttgart region.

Contact:  Stuttgart-Marketing GmbH, Martin Füssenhäuser (opens in a new tab)

People in emergency situations, for example cyclists who have fallen, often do not know exactly where they are if they are unfamiliar with the place or disoriented. Especially in the forest, it was often difficult to determine their position in the past because street names or signposts were missing.

For security forces, injured persons are then difficult to find. In Stuttgart, the fire brigade and rescue service can precisely locate callers who have dialled 112 using advanced mobile location technology (AML).

The AML interface enables the Integrated Control Centre in Stuttgart to automatically locate the exact position of callers calling with modern smartphones, if necessary. This means that the help needed by the fire brigade and rescue service can reach the caller more quickly, even in the event of poor reception, disconnections or lack of language skills.

The accessible online city guide for all is an information platform. It provides information on the accessibility of facilities and buildings in Stuttgart, for example: doctors' surgeries, cafés, restaurants, shops, hotels, cultural and leisure facilities, offices and authorities. For the objects, you will find centimetre-precise information on step heights and door widths, on available lifts and toilets. You will receive detailed information about guidance systems and markings for visually impaired and blind people, e.g. at entrances, in the building, at the lift or at steps. The city guide also contains information on whether there are offers for hearing-impaired or deaf people. Those who need a rollator or parents travelling with a buggy also benefit from the detailed information.

Everyone can decide for themselves whether they can visit the object they are looking for on their own or whether they need an escort. The city guide thus offers an orientation aid for everyone.

Contact:  Irina Lackner

The specialist unit develops contact points and digital consultation hours for older people in order to create enabling structures for digital and social participation. It works together with volunteers, local actors, and social institutions.

Several projects are part of SIRa (Sport, Information and Room Reservation). The vision of SIRa is a system that includes all digital services of the Office of Sport and Physical Activity.

Room and sports facility occupancy

New software is being used to modernize room and sports facility allocation in the Office of Sport and Exercise and School Administration Office. All rooms and areas in the area of schools and sports (including sports facilities and gymnasiums, subject rooms, classrooms and auditoriums, outdoor and indoor areas and bathrooms) are managed in the software.

The software supports the administrative staff in their work in the best possible way. Processes such as the administration of data, occupancy, billing and statistics are carried out digitally. In addition to the city administration, Stuttgart's sports clubs will be the main users of the software. They will be able to submit booking requests for hall times via a portal and manage their data independently.

The software rollout will begin in the fall of 2023.

The construction industry is responsible for a quarter of all CO2 emissions worldwide. Noticeable successes in climate protection are therefore not possible without the participation of this sector. The most effective way to do this is to move towards a sustainable circular economy for the building materials used.

The use of the BIM method is an essential element on the way to the digital transformation of the construction industry and should help to exploit the existing economic and ecological potential of building assets.

Ideally, BIM covers the entire life cycle of a building, from planning and execution to use and dismantling. The aim is to improve coordination, communication and transparency through model-based collaboration via a common data environment, and consequently to increase planning, cost and schedule reliability. During operation, optimised material and energy efficiency contributes to the conservation of resources and to a significant improvement in the life cycle assessment of the structure. 

The first construction measures of the LHS are already being implemented as BIM-compliant pilot projects. The goal is to use the BIM method as the standard for all urban construction projects by 2030.

Contact:  BIMstuttgartde

Especially in the event of a malfunction, it is important that employees of the city receive relevant information and data transparency on the building with just a few clicks through digital links to the building data. This enables them to react quickly in fault management. With the help of Computer Aided Facility Management (CAFM), the city is able to act quickly and effectively. The majority of municipal buildings already use the CAFM system. 

The CAFM system bundles all necessary building information for city-wide inventory and data management. On this basis, processes for the operation and management of properties, buildings, rooms and technical facilities, such as renting and service charge billing, cleaning, school development planning, maintenance planning or fault management, follow.

The “Waldau Sports Hall“ was inaugurated in autumn 2020. Among other things, it houses an indoor movement world for children. Smart is the booking programme with payment function, which can be used to book an online ticket for a visit to the movement world. 

Furthermore, the energetically innovative building is also groundbreaking for a smart city: the hall is one of the first municipal buildings to meet the goal of climate neutrality. Heat is supplied by a geothermal system with geothermal probes. To cover the electricity demand, a photovoltaic system is installed on the roof of the hall, from which the adjacent Eiswelt Stuttgart also benefits. There is also a local heating line between the two buildings. When the cooling units of the Eiswelt are running, the “Waldau Sports Hall”  uses the waste heat generated.

In 2021, the comprehensive digitisation of all Stuttgart schools is to be comprehensively advanced. The digital infrastructure and the equipment of schools with high-performance and future-proof hardware and software play an important role in this. For this purpose, the Schools Administration Office has had an IT Competence Centre Schools for many years, which is the operator of the pedagogical school IT and the central IT service provider for the city’s schools. This is also the home of the central service desk for Stuttgart schools, which has been available since 2003 as the central contact for Stuttgart schools at fixed service times under a telephone number  +49 711 216-933.

The “DigitalPakt Schule” (Digital Pact for Schools) of the federal and state governments will play an important role in the future, which Stuttgart will implement with systematic media development planning at schools and the expansion of school IT infrastructure and equipment. The Schools Administration Office plans to start this in autumn 2020.