Smart metering and user-generated content to improve planning and mobility services

Summary

This measure included the development and implementation of a smart and low-cost sensing infrastructure, based on wireless sensor devices to allow local authorities to collect real-time data on traffic, mobility and environmental indicators. The collected data provided a better understanding of mobility patterns, anticipation of residents and tourists needs, and contributed to the improvement of planning and services for mobility in Funchal city.

Implementing sustainable mobility

Low-cost environmental monitoring stations

Eight environmental monitoring stations were designed, prototyped and assembled by ARDITI and delivered to CMF. The stations were installed in Funchal and provide real-time data on key environment indicators (CO2, CO, NO2, O3, SO2, NO, PM2.5/PM10, Noise, Temperature, Humidity and Atmospheric pressure) which is also recorded on a database for monitoring and historic recording. With the consolidation of all data sources, collected data results will support to improve urban planning (namely for SUMP) and services for mobility in cities.

Automatic traffic counters

Three automatic monitoring traffic counters were installed in June 2018 in the three major inbound roads, leading towards the city core. The collected data is sent to the data browser web platform, allowing the CMF to analyse it in real time.

The system gathers data related to traffic flow, modal split, speed and road occupancy. Given the success of this demonstration and the importance of traffic monitoring for mobility management and the decision-making process, after DESTINATIONS the system will be further upgraded and expanded to other areas in the city.

Bus passenger counting system

A low-cost infrastructure based on passive Wi-Fi probes was tested in 20 buses, with the aim of monitoring, optimizing and personalizing public transport. The solution focused on the use of low-cost Wi-Fi tracking and data mining technologies as an alternative to existing methods for estimating mobility patterns at scale.

This approach enabled route and bus stops optimization and provided local authorities and tourism boards with a tool to monitor and optimize the management of routes and transportation, and identify and prevent accessibility issues, with the aim of improving the mobility services. Other passenger counting solution was tested at HF based on CCTV surveillance cameras inside the bus and also, a passenger counting system called “Outmind TicketCheck” mainly aimed at fraud detection and prevention.

Pick up & Ride app

Development of the Pick up & Ride application, dedicated to make the meeting between guardians and their students faster, more organised and more relaxed, also aiming to reduce the traffic congestion in many schools (February 2021) This action has a strong link with another DESTINATIONS measure, which can be explored here.

More information

• Measure evaluation report
• Scientific production publications - six papers and presentations in major international conferences (such as, for example, the 8th Transport Research Arena TRA 2020)

Outcomes

Pick up & Ride - 164 users and 5.764 pick-up events between February and March 2021

This measure had no impact evaluation because its purpose was to install smart sensors to collect data for the other partners and support the decision-making process.