The serious game about broad prosperity and passenger transportation for (future) professionals
The Optimal Mix
In the serious game 'The Optimal Mix', (future) professionals work together to design an attractive mobility system for their self-selected case.
Making trade-offs and choices is central to this process. Players in their team consider questions such as: For which target group are we working? What does broad prosperity mean for our project? How do we choose the most optimal means of transport and policy instruments? The game focuses on passenger transport and can be played at various scale levels (neighborhood/municipality/region) and urbanization levels.
Serious games are a simplified representation of complex reality, and provide a safe learning environment for professionals, where literally 'the cards are put on the table'.
The game is developed for students (higher education) and professionals working in the mobility and/or spatial domain. Since 2023, The Optimal Mix has been played with over 500 players in its home country the Netherlands, as well as the US, India and Australia.
for (future) professionals
stand-alone
modular
These core players are/were involved in the game's development:
Who are we
The development of this game is a collaboration between Tessa Leferink (LEF mobiliteit), Niels van Oort (TU Delft), and Sander Lenferink (Radboud University Nijmegen).
This project is made possible by the Creative Industries Fund Netherlands through the 'Paths to Wellbeing' (Wegen naar Welzijn) program.
The Optimal Mix has multiple learning objectives. For a game session, you choose 1 or 2 that you want to give extra attention to.
target groups
Empathize with, and learn about different target groups.
broad prosperity
Introduction to, and application of broad prosperity models.
collaboration
Get to know each other and each other's fields.
mobility policy
Learn about trade-offs and pros and cons of transport modes and policy instruments.
The Optimal Mix on the go
Gaming in Gdansk
May 2025: In a mulitday training with the Dutch Cycling Embassy the Optimal Mix was played in Gdansk, Poland! One of the players actually ordered the game and will now facilitate it herself in local workshops.
order the game too
We are live!
May 2025: Our final game set has arrived! Promotion has started, and educators are able to get a free demo set (while supplies last). In a short interview Niels tells more about the game.
read the interview (in Dutch)
It's on Down Under
February 2025: In Melbourne, public transport professionals made their 'Optimal Mix'. American transport vlogger Paul Comfort reflects in a short video (starting at 7:56).
watch the vlog
Think Bike workshop
February 2025: In Dubai, policymakers and public space designers learned to make trade-offs with the game.
check the reel
TU Delft celebrates
January 2025: Mobility was the central theme of TU Delft's anniversary! During the Dies Natalis, we presented the game to deans, lecturers, and professionals.
read more about the Dies
BUAS Session
October 2024: The first stand-alone edition
read the LinkedIn post
Paper
September 2024: The Optimal Mix fits into a larger academic picture about gaming in mobility. We published a paper in the Journal for Transport & Health.
view the paper
Primary School Session
May 2024: start them young! In Delft, children got to choose their 'favorite mode of transport'.
read more
Phase 1 Report (Dutch!)
Spring 2024: We look back on the design process of Phase 1 of the 'Paths to Wellbeing' program - where the game was (further) developed
read more
India Session
Spring 2023: Indian designers play the game with Niels van Oort and discuss the role of bicycles in the mobility system.
watch the after movie
Stay informed or play along?
The Optimal Mix is developed by LEF mobiliteit and stakeholders from TU Delft and Radboud University Nijmegen. The game is made possible by the Creative Industries Fund NL.
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