A project that aims to make active travel areas safer has been launched by Sutton and Kingston councils in partnership with UK-based transport AI company Vivacity Labs.
The councils will utilise Vivacity’s AI and Internet of Things (IoT) technology to provide data on different transport modes and movement patterns.
The study aims to monitor the impact of road and pavement changes as well as working to reduce Covid-19 infection risks for residents with better management of high footfall areas.
Such infrastructure changes could help to improve active travel routes, enhance space and safety and, as a result, encourage and accommodate more walking and cycling.
Both councils will use the project data to help better understand more about travel behaviours and pattern, as well as to assess the impact any changes are having and make any required improvements.
Mark Nicholson, CEO of Vivacity Labs, said: “The pandemic has seen a significant shift in travel trends, and it has brought about changes to road and pavement space in order to accommodate for active travel and help people to keep their distance.
“Data insights provide the ability to both analyse where to implement changes and evaluate the effectiveness of these schemes.
“The next stages of regeneration are crucial, and we’re delighted to be working with Sutton and Kingston councils to help improve their active travel insight and assess and improve the safety of high footfall areas.”
If the pilot is successful the councils could expand the scheme more widely across the boroughs and also into the adjacent boroughs of Merton, Croydon and Richmond.
