Local councils choose Vivacity Labs for active travel insights

Vivacity Labs has been selected by dozens of UK councils to improve their active travel insights as people return to work.

The transport AI company captures classifies and tracks live transport usage anonymously, 24/7, via sensors placed in major towns and cities. With this data, local authorities can not only monitor cyclist and pedestrian numbers, but can also understand behaviour patterns, such as social distancing, dangerous undertaking manoeuvres or cyclists using pavements, which enables authorities to improve safety.

The technology has already been adopted by more than 30 UK councils, with more joining following the £250 million recent government funding awarded for regions to develop active travel schemes, which encourage people to avoid public transport or their cars and instead walk or cycle to get around. The first phase of Government funding was allocated in May 2020, with applications for the second phase closing on the 7th August.

Vivacity says it can also provide councils with data on behaviour at complex junctions. By examining the number of cyclists and other vehicles using junctions from different directions, authorities can improve their understanding of how residents are using the existing infrastructure, alongside supporting future improvements. For councils working to upgrade their existing infrastructures to support Active Travel, the technology provides essential local insight which will accelerate and optimise their schemes.

Alan Law, county transport modeller and team leader, transport planning at Warwickshire County Council, said: ”Vivacity responded quickly, proficiently and professionally in response to WCC request for assistance in monitoring active travel schemes. The Vivacity Labs team were very flexible in the approach to deployment of sensors and enabled the County to start monitoring use of schemes with this great technology within a very short period of time.”

Mark Nicholson, Vivacity Labs CEO, added: “Vivacity has worked with authorities across the country for a number of years. Now, with the deadline for Active Travel funding fast approaching, it’s never been more important for councils to have a robust understanding of how residents are using local Active Travel routes, and planning for safety interventions accordingly.”