What Planungsbüro VIA eG does

Planungsbüro VIA eG is a Köln-based registered cooperative (eingetragene Genossenschaft) founded in 1992 that provides specialist mobility and infrastructure planning services exclusively to public-sector clients in Germany. Its practice covers cycling network planning, pedestrian infrastructure audits (Fußverkehrs-Checks), sidewalk clearance concepts, and traffic assessments for municipalities, counties, and state ministries across North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg, Rheinland-Pfalz, and parts of Bavaria. The firm operates with 35 employees under a 3-person Vorstand (Herbert Eidam, Thomas Stolz, Lena Helmes) and a Supervisory Board chaired by René Hoevel.

The firm has built a proprietary tooling stack around its consulting work, including VIAMAPS and VP-Info mapping platforms, the Linienfindungsverfahren routing methodology, interactive online maps layered over OpenStreetMap data, and the VIA-Messung augmented-reality measurement application. These tools support standardized deliverables such as the 273-page cycling quality standards document commissioned by a Baden-Württemberg ministry in 2026 and large-scale network plans like the 750 km Landkreis Ahrweiler cycling concept. Technology is third-party dependent (e.g., ARCore, OpenStreetMap) rather than in-house AI/ML.

The business model is pure B2G project-based consulting, with revenue generated through municipal and state procurement contracts, framework agreements (notably with Zukunftsnetz Mobilität NRW since 2019), and consortium-based Modellprojekte with engineering partners such as BERNARD Gruppe, Sweco, and freiluftkonzepte. Pricing follows public-sector procurement norms; the cooperative's member-owned structure means there is no external funding, no equity raise history, and no public revenue disclosure.

Name

Planungsbüro VIA eG

Legal name

Planungsbüro VIA eG

Website

https://viakoeln.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Planungsbüro VIA eG is a Köln-based cooperative founded in 1992 that provides specialist mobility, cycling, and pedestrian infrastructure planning exclusively to German municipalities, counties, and state ministries across NRW, Baden-Württemberg, Rheinland-Pfalz, and Bavaria.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Transportation Planning Services

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Transportation & Infrastructure Planning (BPAHAKAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Traffic Management & Intelligent Transportation Systems (Signals, TMCs, Congestion) (BPAIALAC)

Keywords

• Mobility planning services
• Cycling infrastructure planning
• Pedestrian mobility assessment
• Public transport planning
• Traffic assessment consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Köln

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Planungsbüro VIA eG is a cooperative planning office that provides mobility planning, transportation research, and municipal consulting services for German public-sector clients. Its core offerings include cycling and pedestrian infrastructure concepts (Radverkehrskonzepte, Fußverkehrs-Checks), feasibility studies, public transport planning, traffic assessments and design, and wayfinding systems, complemented by proprietary digital tools such as the VIA-Messung AR measurement app, VIAMAPS, VP-Info, and the Linienfindungsverfahren route-finding methodology.

Product overview

Planungsbüro VIA eG is a cooperative transport planning and consulting firm offering a portfolio of both professional services and software tools. The service portfolio covers mobility research, active mobility (cycling and walking), public transport, traffic assessments, and wayfinding systems. On the product side, the core software tools include the VIA-Messung AR measurement app for on-site digital measurement of traffic infrastructure, VIAMAPS for analog and digital map production, and VP-Info for wayfinding system planning. Supporting tools include an interactive online map application (built on uMap), the Linienfindungsverfahren digital route-finding methodology, and ADFC cycling route certification services. The offering operates as a consultancy-plus-tools model, where the software products are specialized utilities complementing VIA's planning and research engagements rather than a standalone SaaS platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VIAMAPS: License-free maps and information media services including analog and digital maps, info boards, print products like hiking maps and bicycle city maps, and web applications
• VIA-Messung
• VP-Info

Products and services

• Mobilität und Forschung (Mobility and Research) A service area encompassing mobility research and planning, including school route concepts (Schulwegekonzepte), mobility concepts (Mobilitätskonzepte), research projects, household surveys and counts (Erhebungen und Befragungen), and public dialogue and communication services. Targeted at municipal and county governments seeking research-driven mobility planning inputs.
• Nahmobilität (Rad- und Fußverkehr) (Active Mobility - Cycling and Walking) A service area covering active mobility planning for cycling and walking, including pre-planning and standard solutions, cycling concepts (Radverkehrskonzepte), feasibility studies (Machbarkeitsstudien), bicycle parking, and foot traffic and active mobility checks. Targeted at municipalities, counties, and state construction offices.
• ÖPNV (Public Transport Planning) A service area for public transport planning, including local transport planning (Nahverkehrsplanung), city and local buses, demand-oriented public transport (OnDemand), and citizen bus services (Bürgerbus). Targeted at municipalities and regional transportation authorities.
• Verkehrsgutachten und Entwurf (Traffic Assessments and Design) A service area for traffic assessments and design, including traffic analysis and design, traffic models (Verkehrsmodelle), and parking space concepts (Parkraumkonzepte). Targeted at municipalities and public agencies requiring traffic engineering expertise.
• Wegweisung mit VP-Info (Wayfinding Systems with VP-Info) A branded wayfinding planning service encompassing cycling wayfinding (Fahrradwegweisung), hiking wayfinding (Wanderwegweisung), pedestrian guidance systems (Fußgängerleitsysteme), and the VP-Info planning software. Targeted at municipalities, counties, regions, and tourism organizations.
• VIA-Messung (App) An AR-based mobile application for on-site measurement of widths, heights, and distances in traffic environments, using the device camera and Google ARCore. Measurement values are generated locally and can be exported to other applications such as ODK Collect. Targeted at VIA staff and authorized public administration entities.
• VIAMAPS A full-service provider of both analog and digital maps and information media, including print products (hiking maps, cycling city maps, flyers) and web applications, built on VIA's own map base under a free Creative Commons license. Targeted at municipalities, tourism organizations, and public agencies needing cost-efficient mapping solutions.
• VP-Info (Planning Software) A planning software tool used for wayfinding system design across cycling, hiking, and pedestrian contexts. A free demo version is available for download. Targeted at professional planners and public agencies designing wayfinding systems.
• Fußverkehrs-Checks (Pedestrian Checks) A structured foot traffic assessment service in which VIA conducts moderated on-site walks and workshops with citizens, politics, and administration to evaluate pedestrian infrastructure quality and develop actionable improvement recommendations. Targeted at municipalities and state ministries, including the NRW-wide program and Rheinland-Pfalz 2026 program.
• Linienfindungsverfahren für neue Radwege (Route-Finding Procedure for New Cycle Paths) A digital route-finding methodology developed by VIA for identifying and evaluating alternative cycling routes using GIS-based detour factor and gradient analysis, followed by on-site cycling inspection, photography, and documentation to select preferred routes. Targeted at municipalities and state construction offices planning new cycling connections.
• Zertifizierung von Qualitätsrouten nach ADFC (ADFC Quality Cycling Route Certification) A service for certifying cycling routes according to ADFC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club) quality standards, including planning and implementation of new routes, classification of existing routes, and provision of qualified ADFC quality officers for ongoing route management. Targeted at municipalities, counties, regions, and tourism organizations seeking ADFC-certified cycling routes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 40 municipalities guided through pedestrian check process since 2019
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Sweco GmbH (Koblenz)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 January 2026Joint implementation partnership for conducting pedestrian checks in Rheinland-Pfalz. VIA and Sweco GmbH together provide professional support to ten municipalities for strengthening pedestrian mobility in 2026.
• BERNARD GruppecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 January 2026Co-development partnership for quality standards development. VIA and BERNARD Gruppe jointly developed the 273-page 'Qualitätsstandards und Musterlösungen für Radverkehrsanlagen' for the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Transport. Also cooperating on the model project 'Gehwege freiräumen' for free sidewalks in Baden-Württemberg.
• freiluftkonzepte (Marc Rathgeber)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner for VIAMAPS product line. Marc Rathgeber has many years of experience in this area for various clients and collaborates with VIA on licensing-free maps and information media.
• Zukunftsnetz Mobilität NRWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership in the pedestrian check (Fußverkehrs-Check) program for NRW municipalities. VIA has been part of the program since 2019 and won the Europe-wide tender for the following two years.
• ADFC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartnership for certification of cycling quality routes. VIA staff have been trained as ADFC quality representatives, enabling comprehensive services for classification of ADFC quality cycling routes including planning, implementation, and quality management.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BERNARD Gruppe: Germany-based engineering consultancy active in transport infrastructure planning. Joint co-developer with VIA of the Baden-Württemberg quality standards; competes in the same cycling infrastructure tender pool.
• Sweco GmbH: Pan-European engineering consultancy with a strong German transport and mobility practice. Direct competitor for state-level pedestrian-check and cycling-concept tenders; current JV partner of VIA in Rheinland-Pfalz.
• SSP Consult Beratende Ingenieure GmbH: German engineering consultancy focused on traffic planning, road design, and transport modeling for public-sector clients across Germany.
• Durth Roos Consulting GmbH: German consultancy providing mobility concepts, traffic modeling, and transport planning services to municipalities and regional authorities.
• LK Argus (LK Argus Kassel GmbH): Berlin-based transport planning and engineering consultancy active in cycling, public transport, and traffic planning for German cities and states.
• Urbanist (Urbanisten eG / Urbanist Group): German planning cooperative specializing in sustainable urban mobility, active mobility, and public participation in transport planning—comparable cooperative structure and active-mobility focus to VIA.
• PTV Group (PTV Transport Consult GmbH): German transport planning software and consulting firm, the developer of VISUM and other traffic-modeling tools that VIA's planners also use. Closest competitor combining planning software IP with planning services.
• Planungsgruppe Prof. Laage: German transport and urban planning consultancy with similar municipal and state-level focus, including cycling and pedestrian infrastructure planning.
• gevas humberg & partner: Munich-based transport planning and engineering consultancy specializing in public transport, traffic engineering, and mobility concepts for German municipalities and transport authorities.

Broad incumbents

• Ramboll Deutschland: Large international engineering consultancy with significant German mobility and urban planning practice. Competes for the same state and municipal tenders at greater scale and with broader service breadth.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/planungsb%C3%BCrovia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Planungsbüro VIA eG