Cross River Partnership (CRP), a non-profit organisation working to deliver positive change for London’s residents, businesses and visitors, has partnered with Vivacity Labs to demonstrate the impact of streetscape interventions in the capital.
As part of its Defra-funded Clean Air Villages 3 (CAV3) programme, the partnership aims to reduce congestion and pollution across London.
The latest programme, based in 16 different London ‘villages’ where both air pollution and population density levels are high, looked to measure the effect of social distancing initiatives on congestion.
Vivacity’s sensors use 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.
According to the collaboration, the data is completely anonymised, and each frame of video is deleted immediately after processing. The analysis and reports are then used to enable boroughs to implement future congestion reduction schemes and green transport initiatives.
One of the areas CRP and Vivacity monitored is Soho, looking at the impact of Westminster City Council (WCC)’s al fresco dining scheme. From July to October 2020, WCC pedestrianised some of Soho’s streets, which allowed pedestrians to support hospitality businesses whilst reducing the risk of Covid-19 transmission.
CRP worked with WCC to decide the location of the Vivacity sensor, which had two ‘count lines’, showing movements on both Old Compton Street and Dean Street.
The Vivacity monitoring programme allowed WCC to see the impact of their streetscape interventions. The data found that the timing of the outdoor al fresco dining scheme coincided with almost zero cars and a significant rise in pedestrians, alongside a reduction in cars due to the congestion and ultra-low emission zones in Soho.
One of the sensors is remaining in place until September 2021 to continue to monitor the returning al fresco dining scheme.
Mark Nicholson, CEO at Vivacity Labs, said: “As lockdown restrictions decrease, it’s important that we now build on developing our cities, so that they become smarter, safer and cleaner for all.
“Working with Cross River Partnership has allowed us to support councils in reducing pollution and creating safe streets for pedestrians. We look forward to seeing the continued impact of Vivacity Labs’ technology in providing accurate data insights to improve travel in a safe and sustainable way.”
