This is where the work on a European traffic data platform starts
Elaborator is a project that started in the summer of 2023 with a Kick-off in Athens. The efforts will be carried out and demonstrated in Lund and 11 other cities in Europe: Milan, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Issy-les-Moulineaux (Paris), Zaragoza (Spain), Trikala, (Greece), Liberec, (Czech Republic) Velenje, (Slovenia), Split (Croatia), Krusevac (Serbia) and Ioannina (Greece). The main objectives are three: to analyse user needs and requirements for safe and inclusive mobility in climate-neutral cities; to collect and share comprehensive data sets between cities to increase the uptake of innovations; and finally to develop detailed guidelines, policies and future roadmaps for urban planners for the integration of inclusive and secure sustainable mobility efforts in cities. Central to the project is to have a data platform where data can be collected and shared. Lund Company Sensativas platform Yggio will be set up for all sub-projects and will be data coordinators. A small group of European experts, including Peter Bårmann, share the technical responsibility.
- It is an exciting job and I learn new things about traffic all the time, says Peter Bårmann. In the project, we have decided that both existing and new data from cities will be collected centrally. We will contribute with a project-wide data world where cities decide what kind of data to enter. I see a big gain in doing this, because through this cities get a common workplace where everyone can share experiences, data, solutions and analysis.
At the start of the project, the cities told about their existing projects.
- There is an enormous amount of work done in the traffic world and we can learn a lot together, says Peter Bårmann. As a basis, there are certain European and international data sets to be based on, such as each section of road being imaged together with reams of data - such as maximum speed, level of risk and sometimes even the type of pavement and the imperfections of the roadway.
At the start of the project, it has been found that the extent to which cities collect and store traffic data differs significantly. This can range from kerb heights to customising wheelchair environments, to traffic flows and parking statistics. Even the methods differ significantly. For example, counting of vehicles at traffic intersections is often done manually, but also automatically using sensors. The cities themselves will choose which information they want to include in the platform, but the project aims, in addition to providing communication and data models according to European standards, also facilitating techniques and procedures.
- Initially, there will definitely be less IoT than we are used to — but it is important not to throw out the old. We will try to find an optimal integration of old methods and older data with new methods and new data.
Copenhagen is a city that, for example, has come a long way with (re-) planning of parking lots with subsequent change analysis of traffic flows. However, the information is primarily the result of manual labor. Lund focuses on using sensors to measure traffic in projects LOSC and FLOW. Also in these projects, Yggio is used as an IoT platform.
- Lund may well become the city in the project that can first demonstrate mature solutions for measuring traffic with sensors. The district of Brunnshög is an example where we are currently working on traffic flow analysis, which should lead to proposals for improvement.
The project also includes methodological discussions and testing of data models; standardized ways of naming and storing information.
- We can start from the European standard Fiware (for Smarta Staden, where communication interfaces, some data models and open source solutions have been developed) and complement this or develop something of our own, continues Peter Bårmann. In three years' time, we may have a demonstrable solution on what a Europe-wide traffic information model might look like, and in perhaps ten years, I hope that we will have a truly dispersed effective solution within Europe. For me, it feels really exciting to see how we can do great good with relatively small funds.
A desire for Peter Bårmann is to be able to help cities get started with sensor-based measurement methods.
- I see in front of me an ambulatory measuring kit, consisting of perhaps 50 traffic meters with associated data collection and analysis tools, which, after a simple installation, can deliver valuable information after only a couple of months. This would mean that more cities can learn to do advanced analytics for a cheap buck.
In early 2024, the project partners will meet again.
Elaborator started in June 2023 and runs until December 2026, funded by EU Horizon Europe's research and innovation programme. Nearly 40 project partners are working in the project and Swedish project partners are Lund Kommun/Future by Lund, Linköping University and Sensative AB.