NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 8- Townmaking Institute, Amsterdam chapter, has revealed an intelligent traffic infrastructure for controlling speeding vehicles.
The Netherlands enjoys perhaps one of the best cycling infrastructures in the world. Everyone from children going to school, workers heading to offices and factories, elderly out for a relaxed ride, to the Prime Minister of the country can be found on the bicycle path.
However, the recent proliferation of eBikes has seen an increase in accidents on the bike path.
From a relaxed cycling pace, eBikes officially equipped to go as fast as 25 kmph, and often hacked to go much faster, started flooding the streets.
And consequently, more fatalities are occurring on eBikes than in cars which prompted an urgent solution to restore balance to the bicycle path.
Working in partnership with the City of Amsterdam and Odido (formerly T-Mobile Netherlands), the Amsterdam chapter of the Townmaking Institute developed the solution for this urgent societal need through its commons approach – a collaborative and shared framework that emphasizes community-driven innovation.
This comprehensive solution introduces safety measures for eBikes before and after they hit the road.
It is implemented in three parts which include ensuring eBike integrity with manufacturers before they hit the road and a framework to check eBike roadworthiness once they hit the road.
Also, the governance system should define and communicate place-based restrictions and advice for different zones and times in the city, including ensuring appropriate speed controls when rules are broken.
Additionally, devices on eBikes should actively communicate place-based information and provide speed advice to promote responsible cycling behavior.
Further, eBikes are equipped to actively ensure appropriate speeds when cyclists exhibit dangerous behavior that poses a threat to pedestrians and fellow cyclists.
The connectivity of eBikes is enabled by Odido, who are currently collaborating with Townmaking and the City of Amsterdam to explore intelligent connections for precise positioning.
“This solution is not only a technological advancement but a societal change enabler, allowing faster travel in less busy areas and ensuring safety in high-traffic zones,” says Paul Timmer, Cycling Corridor Asset Manager at Townmaking Institute.
“Part of Townmaking’s cycling corridor research program, this technology ensures zero data retention after ensuring a safe journey, respecting user privacy,”b he added.
Amsterdam faces unique challenges with eBikes, and this groundbreaking innovation, while initially tailored to cities with established cycling cultures like Copenhagen, could potentially offer valuable insights for addressing similar issues in various regions.
The Townmaking Institute envisions adapting this innovation to facilitate direct communication and speed regulation not only with eBikes but also with other types of vehicles such as cars, buses, trucks, etc.