UVAR Box

Hackathon Information

The UVAR Box project is organising a hackathon, which will start on the 9th of May with a kick-off meeting introducing participants to the subject. From then on, the teams have two weeks to submit their proposal for a solution. During this time, the UVAR Box Hackathon Committee is available to support participants in case of any doubts. The solutions will be reviewed and the winner will be announced in late May.

If you want to learn more about the scope, tasks and registration process, please carefully read the information below.

 

Scope and purpose

UVAR Box is an EU-funded project providing tools to enable road users’ information on access regulations to cities and regions in Europe, digitally, both ahead of and during their trip. Access regulations to cities include Low Emission Zones, Parking Regulations, Congestion Charging Schemes, Limited Traffic Zones and Pedestrian Zones. The project started in September 2020 and will run for two years.

The UVAR Box Hackathon aims at challenging developers to use UVAR data and demonstrate new and alternative uses that are of benefit to both users and city authorities.

 

Do you want to participate?

In case we have caught your attention, feel free to download all necessary material to participate in the UVAR Box hackathon by clicking the links below: 

 

Eligibility

Participating Teams

  • Attendees from all backgrounds, genders, and geographies are welcome. There is no age restriction to attend the hackathon or company size limitation.
  • Teams can be formed by a maximum of 5 members.
  • Participants are allowed to be on more than one team at the same time.
  • Changes to team members are not allowed after the 9th of May 2022. Please contact the hackathon committee in case you need to change your team after this period.
  • Committee members are not eligible to participate in the hackathon.
 

Solutions

A team can submit more than one solution for the hackathon. Solutions must be provided in English. Any intellectual property developed during the hackathon by the participants remains property of the participant. There will be both actual, open-data and test data available for the hackathon. The open-data may be used after the hackathon. The test data may only be used during the hackathon period and for its purposes. The final data created by the UVAR Box project and in the future by public authorities will be in the same format and open data as that used during the hackathon.

A team may not code applications that violate general ethical principles, for example, racially or gender insensitive ideas for an application will automatically be disqualified.

The solutions should explore the potential of UVAR data for instance, for the following purposes:

  • Digitization for UVAR authorities, supporting UVAR authorities in the translation of UVAR into DATEX II data model
  • Data management for UVAR authorities, supporting UVAR authorities in maintenance and or update of DATEX II UVAR data
  • UVAR data publication, supporting DATEX II UVAR data publishing, access and promotion for further usage
    UVAR data integration in information services and planning applications
  • Provision of UVAR information to End Users: vehicle drivers or vehicle fleet managers 
  • UVAR data integration in information services and planning applications
 
 

Evaluation Criteria

The evaluation criteria will be set upon the following 3 attributes that could distinguish the quality of the solution. The assessment will be qualitative.

Level of impact: it is an innovative solution which is achieving the Project aim and purpose of getting UVAR data available to more drivers and vehicle users through cities digitising their UVARs. Is achieving the Hackathon purpose of demonstrating new and alternative uses of UVAR data that are of benefit to users and/or city authorities and/or support to digitise UVAR data. The solution will impress and be helpful/useful to their users.

Quality: the solution functions and achieves its purpose in an effective way. The interface is easy to use and effective for the target users. The solution is well organized and engaging, visually appealing and with concise and well-written language.

Realistic capability: The work done during the hackathon is a reasonable indication of the efforts required to put the technology into the market. The solution is feasible.

 

Evaluation Committee

The evaluation committee will be composed of members of the Consortium and cities’ representatives. Confirmation on the board members will be done at the kick-off meeting.

 

Submission

The submission should be done via e-mail until the 24th of May 23:59 (CET) (the contacts will be provided at the Hackathon kick-off on the 9th of May).

The submission should include, if possible, access to the solution (as users – e.g., if it is an app or a website). Also, participants can submit a small video (maximum 3 min) with an overview of its functioning.

The submission must be complemented with a small document (1 to 2 pages) providing some information to identify your team and solution. The template will be made available.

 

Demonstration & Evaluations

From the 25th to the 26th of May, each team will have an online individual session (≈ 30 minutes) with the Evaluation Committee to present their solution. During this period, the judges will analyse the solutions and come together with a decision based on the Evaluation Criteria. The outcome of the judging will be sent via e-mail on the 27th of May.

 

Award Ceremony

The award ceremony will take place at the European ITS Congress in Toulouse on the Commission Stand. Everyone is welcome to participate in this hour, still, we will also have the virtual option to allow everyone’s integration.

The winning team will receive a Mystery UVAR Box and will be promoted by the EC and UVAR Box project through their communication channels.

 

Timelines & Planning

  • 9.5.2022: Kick-Off
    A meeting between the participants and the Hackathon Committee. The contest rules and guidelines are provided. Participants get access to the data repository.
  • 9-24.5.2022: Development Phase
    The participants create their solutions. The Hackathon Committee is available to support participants in case of any doubts.
  • 24.5.2022: Submission Deadline
    Participants should submit a small report explaining their solution (template will be made available).
  • 25-26.5.2022: Demonstrations & Decision phase
    Participants should schedule a meeting with the Evaluation Committee to show their solutions. The judges are evaluating the solutions.
  • 27.5.2022: Results Announcement
    The Hackathon Committee will send the results via e-mail.
  • TBD: Award Ceremony
    The winners are announced, and prizes are attributed.

Kickoff meeting

The UVAR Box Hackathon has officially kicked off on May 9!

Submission of proposals to use UVAR data for new and alternative services benefitting both users and city authorities is now welcome. Share your contact details with us and you will receive the documents to submit! You can do so by clicking on the “sign up to receive updates” button above.

Watch the recording below to get to know the UVAR Box consortium and your jury members. The recording also includes details on the purpose of the project and the hackathon, the data standard developed for UVARs, DATEX II, and the rules of engagement.