How cycling data, systems and applications come together

What stood out was that conversations are increasingly less about a single topic. Themes such as basic data, pilots, upscaling and visualisation are intertwined. Municipalities are not only looking for counts, but also for ways to use data structurally for policy, communication and decision-making.

There was a lot of interest in MultiSensors’ Quanta systems, particularly because of the distinction they make between different types of road users in busy locations. This ties in with broader questions about bicycle safety, the design of cycle paths and the prioritisation of measures.

The link between data and visibility was also frequently discussed. The possibility of connecting measurement data to displays and other forms of feedback aroused interest, both from a policy and a communication perspective.

Pilots were not seen as an end in themselves, but as part of a larger whole: building a reliable basis, testing assumptions in practice and determining where upscaling is logical.

The EXPO confirmed that the questions in the field are becoming broader and more concrete. It is not a question of whether data is needed, but how data, systems and applications come together in the daily practice of municipalities.

Pilot bicycle counts Leidschendam-Voorburg - Pilot-in-a-Box

In Leidschendam-Voorburg, MultiSensors is measuring the use of two nearby cycle routes along Hoekweg: along the waterfront and along the street. It was precisely at this location that there was a lack of insight into actual use, the type of transport and the proportion of pedestrians.

Radar and LiDAR sensors are now used for continuous measurement. This provides insight over several days and times, without relying on snapshots. The pilot was launched via the Pilot-in-a-Box concept, which makes data available quickly while at the same time looking for a suitable permanent setup.

The pilot is a first step towards structural measurement. The municipality wants to use the insights gained to determine how bicycle traffic in this area can be better monitored and substantiated in the future.

 Read more about Pilot-in-a-Box

Information display and bicycle counts along the F35 in Enschede - 

Quanta sensor with information display

In the municipality of Enschede, a Quanta sensor with information display has recently been installed along the F35 cycle route. The project was completed by Heijmans N.V., in collaboration with MultiSensors, and is part of the European MegaBITS project.

The focus is on two related objectives: collecting reliable bicycle data and encouraging bicycle use. The F35 is an important regional cycle route and therefore a logical location for gaining insight into usage and for providing cyclists with immediate information.

The display shows the number of cyclists per direction and the total, supplemented with time and weather information. The content can be flexibly adapted by the municipality with free text, images and pictograms, for example for campaigns or current situations along the route.

The technical realisation of the measuring system and the display, including installation, configuration and data processing, was provided by MultiSensors. Control and data processing are carried out via the MyCycleTraffic platform, which provides the municipality with continuous insight into numbers and categories, including cyclists, cargo bikes and pedestrians. The data is linked to the NDW portal Dexter and is therefore more widely available for analysis and policy-making.

This project demonstrates how Heijmans, supported by MultiSensors technology, effectively applies data and information provision in public spaces along an important cycle route.

For more information about MultiSensors visit the BITS directory. 

Photos by MultiSensors