In a context where shared mobility is gaining ground in the face of traffic congestion, pollution and rising expectations for MaaS (Mobility as a Service), carpooling places are an essential infrastructure. This article presents the National Database of Carpooling Places (BNLC), its role, its implementation in public data, and how Île-de-France Mobilités uses this database via the PRIM platform to offer users, local authorities and companies reliable access to information on carpooling stops.
Context: Carpooling, a lever for shared mobility
In Île-de-France, individual car journeys are currently generating significant traffic jams. There are up to 250 km of cumulative slowdowns each day, with an average of 1.1 people per car. Carpooling is asserting itself as a way to lighten traffic, reduce air pollution and consequently improve the quality of life of Ile-de-France residents.
Some key figures
On the players' side, several companies offer local carpooling services or on suburban routes. Among them, we find BlablaCar Daily, Karos, Mobicoop, etc...
The BNLC: For a national referential of carpooling places
Origin and actors :
- In 2018, Blablacar consolidated carpooling areas from data.gouv.fr data and departmental websites, covering about 70 departments. At the same time, the Fabrique des Mobilités has opened a form allowing the general public to propose carpooling meeting places.
- In 2019, the national plan for carpooling places was formalised: transport.data.gouv.fr, Open Data France, the Ministry of Transport, and other partners (local authorities, associations, operators) are mobilising to guarantee a consolidated, updated and open National Database of Carpooling Places (BNLC).
Legal framework:
- On 27 January 2014, the Law for the Modernisation of Territorial Public Action and the Affirmation of Metropolises (MAPTAM) transformed the Urban Transport Organising Authorities (AOTU) into Mobility Organising Authorities (AOM) and extended their powers to shared uses of the car, including carpooling. Article 52 of this law gives, for the first time, a definition of carpooling.
- On 17 August 2015, the law for the energy transition for green growth (TECV) completed this definition, in particular by specifying the notion of carpooling as the transport of the same journey, whether for a fee or not, under certain conditions.
- On 24 December 2019, Article 35 of the Mobility Orientation Law (LOM) gives AOMs the power to pay allowances to drivers and/or passengers of carpooling journeys and to set up territorial incentives (carpooling area schemes, reserved lanes, etc.).
A standardized data model:
The BNLC defines a common format : unique identifier, name of the place, geographical coordinates, number of spaces, accessibility for people with reduced mobility, lighting, owner, etc. This standard ensures that each local authority can publish its data in a homogeneous way and that each operator can easily integrate it.
Why is this database crucial for Île-de-France mobilités and MaaS ?
As an AOM, Île-de-France Mobilités does not just finance and coordinate transport. It also ensures data consistency. Integrating the BNLC into its ecosystem means:
- To provide users with reliable information on the places of care
- Enable MaaS applications to offer trips that combine public transport and carpooling
- Help communities identify "service gaps," plan new developments, and measure environmental impact.
The BNLC in the data of the PRIM platform: The dataset "Carpooling stops Île-de-France Mobilités"
On the PRIM platform, you can find the Île-de-France Mobilités carpooling stops dataset which describes the carpooling stops identified according to the BNLC scheme. It currently contains data for the first carpooling line Cernay - Gif - Guyancourt. This Dataset includes the essential information: name of the place, contact details, accessibility, update date, number of spaces, etc., according to what the BNLC scheme requires.
In conclusion, the BNLC on PRIM offers reusers a reliable, interoperable and scalable data base, directly usable to develop services, analyze territories or inform passengers.
Associated with this dataset, discover a personalized view allowing you to locate on an interactive map the carpooling stops on the territory.
