UK-based AI transport technology scale-up Vivacity Labs is expanding into Australia, partnering with not-for-profit organisation Bicycle Network to deliver traffic sensors to the City of Port Phillip (CoPP) in Victoria.
The use of AI-powered sensors, which capture anonymous data on different modes of travel, will enable CoPP to gain insights on active travel levels in area. With a 23% projected increase in resident growth by 2027, the partnership aims to will help promote the use of bikes and e-scooters, with Vivacity’s technology supporting the council to make data-driven decisions and implement new schemes successfully.
Measuring bike and pedestrian data in real-time the sensors will monitoring a variety of locations along CoPP’s integrated transport strategy routes, including footpaths, cycle lanes and roads.
Glen Janetzki, general manager commercial at Bicycle Network, said: “These AI sensors have the power of a thousand people holding clipboards and pens. It gives us real-time information along a full road, not just one site, helping us understand how all road users interact.”
By accruing anonymous data, the city hopes to gain an understanding on how these road users interact on specific roads and junctions, as well as interactions with newer modes of travel such as e-scooters.
This data will enable the council to plan what physical changes, such as segregated lanes and size of footpaths, will work to both enhance active travel and improve traffic flow, and therefore also reduce conflict between transport modes and emissions.
James Hill, international business development director at Vivacity Labs, added: “Our partnership with Bicycle Network will go a long way in providing detailed and accurate transport data insights to help ensure the right decisions are being made to improve travel patterns in the City of Port Phillip.
“We’re extremely proud to be supporting the implementation of initiatives that encourage active travel, cycling safety and lower pollution levels to help maintain sustainable streets in Victoria, and across the globe.”
