Bicycle Network’s AIRS (Artificial Intelligence Road Surveys) technology was deployed at a known trouble spot on Chapel Street in Windsor in July 2022 as part of a study with the City of Stonnington.

It aimed to measure the numbers and behaviour of different road users and identify any potential conflicts involving bike riders.

The AIRS technology achieves this by automatically detecting and categorising road users when they pass through an area, tracking both their speed and movement paths.

AIRS can detect potential conflicts by pinpointing the exact time a rider veers out of a bike lane and into a traffic lane, or when a vehicle turns across a bike lane and comes close to a rider.

Bicycle Network analyses footage of these incidents and determines whether they meet the criteria for a “conflict event” – where a rider or other road user has had to adjust their speed or position on the road to avoid a collision.

The survey focused on the intersection of Chapel, Union and James streets and captured a series of conflict events that paint a picture of regular risks to riders.

Chief among the identified risks to riders were south-bound, left-turning vehicles frequently crossing the path of riders in the bike lane.

Another common conflict occurred when vehicles performed reverse parallel parks, forcing riders across the tram lines and into the traffic lane. People stepping into the bike lane when exiting their vehicles and crossing the street were other common occurrences.

These findings will likely come as no surprise to those familiar with Chapel Street. The 2020 BikeSpot project revealed that Chapel Street was rated as the worst street to ride in Melbourne.

This AIRS study quantified the frequency of risks to riders at just one location on Chapel Street, offering a small but useful snapshot of road user behaviour.

Data collected through AIRS surveys is used to build reports into the actions of all road users, including turning movement volumes, path tracing and speeds of all types of road users. The type of expanded analysis carried out on Chapel Street provided important insights into how different road users were interacting and provided decision makers with a powerful tool for infrastructure planning and design.

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The surveys detect and categorise road users when they pass through the line of vision of the AIRS camera or sensor. The AIRS technology counts road users’ volume and speed, and tracks their movements along ‘trace lines’.

The project studied several key sites around the Boreham Park precinct in Avenell Heights and the Quay Street area in Central Bundaberg.

Sites in Boreham Park study aimed to understand the movement of bicycles and vehicles to and from the north of the park along streets that connect with Dunn Road.

Once the data is analysed, the study will provide insights into pedestrian movements to and from Boreham Park and a nearby café.

The Quay Street study focuses on the crossing movements of pedestrians in this precinct, while also providing insights into the bicycle and vehicle movements entering and exiting Quay Street from the connecting streets and carparks.

User path trace lines identified in the AIRS software at Quay Street and Walla Street, Bundaberg. (Yellow – Pedestrians, Pink – Bicycles, Red – Cars, Blue – Motorbikes, Brown – Large Goods Vehicle, Purple/Turquoise – Ordinary Goods Vehicle)

Bundaberg Regional Council is in the process of improving the region’s active transport network, as a part of their Active Transport Strategy 2020 – 2025, which aims to “connect people to places of importance such as the Central Business District, education facilities and sporting fields.”

This project builds upon the work Bicycle Network has already done with councils to collect data to improve active transport conditions for Australians.

A recent AIRS project completed in City of Port Phillip is providing transport planners with timely and accurate data to improve the bike riding and walking experience in the local area.

Bicycle Network have completed surveys using AIRS technology with over 20 municipalities, such as City of Yarra, City of Nillumbik, City of Darebin, and City of Maribyrnong.

These autonomous, AI-based road surveys are the newest addition to Bicycle Network’s suite of data collection services, which includes the long-established Super Tuesday commuter and Super Sunday recreational counts, and fully customised manual active transport surveys.

To find out more information about these services, or to book a free AIRS trial, visit our website and submit an enquiry.

You can also learn more about Vivacity Labs’ AI sensors here.

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The surveys detect and categorise road users when they enter the camera field of view. Bicycle Network’s AIRS (Artificial Intelligence Road Surveys) is able to count road users’ volume, as well as tracks their paths along ‘tracelines’, and measure their travel speeds.

Collected at six key intersections identified in South Melbourne, the data plays a key role in understanding the priority and movements of bike riders through intersections and where potential areas of conflict may arise.

Image: User path trace lines identified in the AIRS software at Clarendon St and York St. (Yellow – Pedestrians, Pink – Bicycles, Red – Cars, Blue – Motorbikes)

The collected data will assist transport planners in the council to aim to meet mode shift targets set out in the 2018-2028 Integrated Transport Strategy. The strategy aims to build 11 protected bicycle corridors and increase number of bike trips by 151 per cent compared to 2017 numbers by the completion of the 2027/2028 financial year.

The AIRS software can be used at intersections for short periods (a few days to a week) using cameras, or setup for permanent data collection with the purchase of a sensor.

The CoPP project is one of the many AIRS projects completed by Bicycle Network recently, with surveys conducted in places such as Bundaberg, City of Yarra, City of Nillumbik, City of Darebin and City of Maribyrnong, all contributing to improving active transport conditions in Australia.

This recent project is the third time Bicycle Network has collaborated with CoPP using AIRS data, repeating AIRS counts at sites at different times of the year to monitor change and assist planning. Additionally, CoPP was the first to install permanent sensors installed in mid-2021 along key traffic corridors in the Port Phillip area.

Image: Categorised users identified in the AIRS software at an intersection

These autonomous, AI-based road surveys are the newest addition to Bicycle Network’s suite of data collection services, which includes the long-established Super Tuesday commuter and Super Sunday recreational counts, and fully customised manual active transport surveys. To find out more information about these services, or to book a free AIRS trial, visit our website and submit an enquiry.

The data that is presented to clients through reports and spreadsheets is anonymised and relates to population samples with no individualised user information. Upon submission of the report data to the client, the footage is deleted from the online server no later than 60 days after the completion of the job.

You can learn more about Vivacity Labs’ AI sensors here.

The post Using artificial intelligence to understand the roads of Port Phillip appeared first on Bicycle Network.

The new sensors will measure bike rider, pedestrian and motor vehicle movements and assist CoPP in providing well-informed solutions for increasing active travel.

The sensors, installed along key traffic corridors in the Port Phillip area, use artificial intelligence and machine learning to collect anonymous data on different modes of travel in real-time.

The traffic data offers startling insights on road behaviours, such as the interactions between pedestrians, cyclists and cars, and provides insights on factors such as volume, the path each user took through the intersection and their speed. This technology allows us to understand how the whole of the road is being used by all road users.

This state-of-the-art project will allow CoPP to understand how various road users interact on specific roads and junctions.

Bicycle Network CEO Craig Richards says: “These AI sensors have the power of a thousand people holding clipboards and pens. It gives us real-time information along a full road, not just one site, helping us understand how all road users interact.”

By understanding how bike users are moving around, CoPP will be able to optimise bike infrastructure plans and determine the best outcomes for riders in the area.

James Hill, International Business Development Director at Vivacity Labs, says: “Our partnership with Bicycle Network will go a long way in providing detailed and accurate transport data insights to help ensure the right decisions are being made to improve travel patterns in the City of Port Phillip. We’re extremely proud to be supporting the implementation of initiatives that encourage active travel, cycling safety and lower pollution levels to help maintain sustainable streets in Victoria, and across the globe.”

Learn about Bicycle Network’s AI-based road surveys (AIRS) service here.

You can also learn more about Vivacity Labs’ AI sensors here.

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