WeCount is a European project that enables citizens to initiate a policy-making process with fully automated measurement data in the field of mobility and air quality. The concept is simple: with a sensor in combination with a low-cost computer and software, anyone can measure the traffic and air pollution in his or her street. And with this measurement data, an individual citizen or a group of citizens can contact the local or regional government and advocate for more sustainable mobility in the area. We will empower local communities and schools with low cost sensors to monitor traffic volumes, speed and composition (cars, pedestrian, bikes and heavy vehicles) along with air pollution (particulate matter). We will also provide tools to analyse the data and produce policy proposals for more sustainable local mobility.
The sensors will provide evidence that local communities and schools can then use to demonstrate how their local areas are affected by high traffic volumes, speeding, high levels of air pollution etc. It will also provide evidence of the need for adequate infrastructure for more sustainable mobility by showing that the area has high numbers of people cycling while there might be no protected cycling lanes.
What you can do
You can lead a group in your local area to install monitors and gather the data need to make better informed decisions around sustainable mobility in your local area. As part of a ChangeX Partner funded Community Challenge, you can access the funding needed to buy the monitors (€500) and then work with the wider WeCount Network to analyse the data and take action.
WeCount is a European project that enables citizens to initiate a policy-making process with fully automated measurement data in the field of mobility and air quality. The concept is simple: with a sensor in combination with a low-cost computer and software, anyone can measure the traffic and air pollution in his or her street. And with this measurement data, an individual citizen or a group of citizens can contact the local or regional government and advocate for more sustainable mobility in the area. We will empower local communities and schools with low cost sensors to monitor traffic volumes, speed and composition (cars, pedestrian, bikes and heavy vehicles) along with air pollution (particulate matter). We will also provide tools to analyse the data and produce policy proposals for more sustainable local mobility.
The sensors will provide evidence that local communities and schools can then use to demonstrate how their local areas are affected by high traffic volumes, speeding, high levels of air pollution etc. It will also provide evidence of the need for adequate infrastructure for more sustainable mobility by showing that the area has high numbers of people cycling while there might be no protected cycling lanes.
What you can do
You can lead a group in your local area to install monitors and gather the data need to make better informed decisions around sustainable mobility in your local area. As part of a ChangeX Partner funded Community Challenge, you can access the funding needed to buy the monitors (€500) and then work with the wider WeCount Network to analyse the data and take action.
Our two traffic monitors (one on Glasnevin Hill and one on Saint Mobhi Road) count traffic in both directions, and provide valuable information to residents' groups in the area.
This data is especially important in light of the forthcoming significant changes in the Village as a result of BusConnects. We now have a baseline of data, and will be able to measure accurately the impact of the new traffic flows.
Our two traffic monitors are now up and running. (We had a delay with one, because the camera was faulty and needed to be replaced.) The monitors are now counting traffic in both directions, and providing valuable information to residents' groups in the area. See attached for a screenshot showing the data from one of the monitors. This data is especially important in light of the forthcoming significant changes in the Village as a result of BusConnects. We now have a baseline of data, and will be able to measure accurately the impact of the new traffic flows.
Our plan is to measure the traffic flows on both Saint Mobhi Road and Glasnevin Hill, two of the key routes through Glasnevin Village. There is a significant amount of construction ongoing and planned in the Village, which will add a relatively large volume of new houses and apartments. In addition, BusConnects is scheduled to change the traffic flows by banning cars from travelling north on Saint Mobhi Road at peak times. All of above will impact the volume of traffic and the flow thereof, and it is important that, as a community, we know exactly how the traffic flows change over time.
Below is a photo of our group, planning the project.