{"id":427881,"date":"2022-12-26T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-26T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/innovationorigins.com\/?p=427881"},"modified":"2022-12-26T12:00:00","modified_gmt":"2022-12-26T11:00:00","slug":"data-can-help-manage-traffic-in-cities-here-is-how","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ioplus.nl\/archive\/en\/data-can-help-manage-traffic-in-cities-here-is-how\/","title":{"rendered":"Data can help manage traffic in cities – here is how"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Traffic is one of the many variables that have a bearing on the livability of a city. Moving within a given urban area \u2013 or being able to access it \u2013 can be daunting at times. However, it doesn\u2019t have to be like that, as digitalization through data exchange can help improve vehicle flows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why we write about this topic:<\/summary>

Nobody likes to be stuck in a traffic jam nor wants to feel unsafe when driving, cycling, or walking. Cities are – and will always be – the most densely populated areas. Data can help us keep them people-friendly. <\/p><\/div><\/details>\n\n\n\n

Nowadays, information is as multifaceted as never before. Geospatial data, weather forecasts, and the measurements from sensors on roads and at traffic junctions, are just a few examples of information that is available. All of these and more can optimize road users’ movements around urban areas, which are going to be more and more densely populated. In 2021, three-quarters of the European Union\u2019s population lived in urban settlements – worldwide the proportion was 57 percent. By 2050, this figure is set to rise to 68 percent, a report<\/a> by the United Nations<\/a> finds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Virtual traffic junction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The topic is a pressing issue in Belgium, where 98 percent of the population lives in an urban agglomeration, and road infrastructure cannot be expanded any further. These assumptions are behind the founding of Mobilidata<\/a>. The program \u2013 initiated by the Flemish government and imec<\/a>, the country\u2019s leading R&D institute<\/a> – is working on innovative traffic solutions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project designed a hub of traffic data sources. At the core is a mobility interchange hub \u2013 which works as a virtual traffic junction \u2013 where data from different sources come in and mesh with the various ends of the ecosystem. At one end of the hub, there are intelligent traffic lights, at another, road users who are connected via mobility apps can share their location info. Public data \u2013 about construction works, accidents, and traffic signs as well as info from traffic apps and road users\u2019 data are also used. \u201cWith all this information, we can create specific use cases that can be applied on roads. Some examples are a priority for an ambulance or longer green lights for cyclists whenever weather conditions are bad,\u201d explains Anne-Marie van Asbroeck, program lead for Mobilidata at imec.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hub can also share information with car navigation systems and mobile traffic apps. The other way round, these private services also generate information, which can be shared with the hub system, as a way to ultimately provide the best experience to all road users. Overall, Mobilidata is working on 31 different use cases, the initiative aims to install 380 smart traffic light systems in Flanders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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