Transport technology scale-up Vivacity Labs and Cross River Partnership (CRP), a non-profit and impartial partnership organisation, have deployed sensors outside a Hackney school, with the aim of improving school street safety.
As part of the CRP’S Healthy Streets Everyday programme, which looks to deliver pedestrian-priority healthy streets, increase walking rates, reduce emissions and exposure to toxic air, a Vivacity sensor was installed outside Saint Scholastica’s Roman Catholic Primary School. It collected anonymous data on different types of road users, helping the local authority to better understand movement patterns.
CRP’s Vivacity programme, which took place between 04 November and 31 December 2020, was designed to provide evidence that the school streets scheme, which involves a section of road closed to vehicular traffic, was being used as planned and that the number of parents and children walking or cycling to school had increased.
By running baseline surveys, then monitoring and evaluating the scheme post implementation over the same time periods, Vivacity Labs can ensure consistency and objective assessment on whether a school street zone has achieved its goals or if any changes need to be made. Accurate sensor data can answer multiple questions including whether congestion and speed has been reduced and whether a particular scheme has encouraged more cycling and walking.
Mark Nicholson, CEO and co-founder at Vivacity Labs, said: “The pandemic has changed the way we travel and it’s never been more important for authorities to have accurate data that allows them to analyse new trends. We’re extremely proud to be supporting the implementation of initiatives that encourage active travel, lower pollution levels and help create healthier streets.
“We are particularly pleased to be supporting the London Borough of Hackney as it looks to improve its street health, and we look forward to seeing the continued positive impact on the local community following our work with Cross River Partnership.”
The London-based company uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to capture anonymous traffic counts across a selected ‘count line’. These counts can show the interactions between pedestrians, cyclists and cars, for example. The data is completely anonymised, and each frame of video is deleted immediately after processing.
Fiona Coull, project manager, Cross River Partnership, added: “Our partnership with Vivacity Labs has gone a long way in making streets safer, smarter and more sustainable. Cross River Partnership look forward to continuing working with boroughs, businesses and authorities across London through the Healthy Streets Everyday programme to prioritise healthy streets for all.”
