Walking and cycling pathways are integral to NSW’s transport system and the enjoyment of our towns and cities. Over 1 billion trips a year are made on foot or by bicycle, by NSW customers. The ability to capture, analyse and share active transport data via Artificial Intelligence (AI) is critical to enhancing the strategic investment and management of a safe, reliable, and connected network.
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has a strong commitment to deliver a range of benefits for NSW customers, the environment and supporting an effective transport network.
To help address the challenge, TfNSW has commenced an Active Transport Cycleways Proof of Concept in partnership with Cisco Australia and Secure Agility. The initiative seeks to leverage existing efforts and enhance our ability to capture data on a cycle way and derive meaningful insights.
The POC deploys IoT (Internet of Things) technology and edge computing to count the bike and walking patronage at specific points along the cycle path. Two Cisco Meraki cameras are deployed at the intersection at the corner of Oxford St and College Street, in the Sydney CBD to capture data. The data will assist in:
- Measuring the effectiveness of current cycle ways
- Providing TfNSW with data and analytics into cycling behaviour
- Providing TfNSW data on traffic flows, pedestrian and cycle movements.
The trial commenced in September 2021 and will run for a period of 12 months. A Privacy Impact Assessment has been completed and recommendation on data storage and data flow have been implemented.
Sandeep Mathur, Director Active - Transport Portfolio, Data & Analytics comments “Unlike Bus, Ferry, Light Rail, Sydney Trains and Sydney Metro modes which capture patronage using Tap-On and Tap-Off of various cards, Active Transport is relying on AI technology to determine patronage. This Proof of Concept will allow us to gain real time data on active cycleways usage”.
Brooke Knox, Director, Lighthouse Innovation Projects comments “As with any data or technology project, the solution is about all of the components. Working in collaboration with industry partners assists us to find solutions for the people and are key to the project success”
Key outcomes of the Active Transport: Cycleways Proof of Concept include:
- To better understand Active Transport customers;
- To obtain insights on Active Transport;
- To obtain vehicle and pedestrian data on a key intersection; and
- To support data-driven decisions Transport.