The R-Com IoT VT cycle counting system uses a lamp post / wall mounted, high resolution video camera embedded Unit to count & record cyclist activity in a specific location or zone.

The primary function of this device is to accurately count cyclists entering, passing through and leaving a defined zone / specific location within the field of the camera lens.

A dedicated VT processor module captures live video footage of cyclists passing thorough the zone activity and converts this into ‘units / blobs of data’.

Sophisticated, embedded algorithms eliminate potential errors and compensate for shadows, poor light, duplication & tailgating.

Data is stored and converted to industry standard MQTT format prior to transmission via Wi-Fi / network protocols to a remote Cloud based server.

Converting the data in real time & in situ in this way facilitates significant data compression in order to maximize the efficient storing and subsequent transmission of data for analysis.

All devices are highly secure and can be accessed remotely for remote management, monitoring, maintenance & calibration.

Solution Application and Usage

Most towns and cities are looking at ways to encourage people to leave their cars in favour of cycling and walking .

This requires careful consideration and planning in order to provide sufficient , safe cycleways whilst balancing the needs of road traffic users and pedestrians. Cycle and pedestrian only routes are expensive to implement and having accurate data available help devise the best solution is essential. 

Central Government has encouraged this investment with grants and incentives and the recent challenges of the Covid19  crisis has highlighted  the need for alternative means of transportation to the work place especially by bicycle.

The real time & time stamped, 24hr base data provided by the R- Com VT Cycle Counter can provide invaluable insights regarding cycling activity  and requirements within a City .

Understanding the quantity, frequency and behavior of Cyclists will provide invaluable insights for planners looking to encourage a shift to alternative and more healthy forms of transportation. 

This will also validate healthy cycling initiatives aimed at increasing cycle only pathways, reducing the number of vehicles and increasing healthier modes of travelling within cities.

More traditional ‘clip board ‘surveys and interviews can be better targeted and designed using the highly accurate base data provided.

The solution is particularly effective for collecting baseline historical data to provide accurate business case support before any new cycleway projects are undertaken.

The data can also be used as before / after impact analysis to demonstrate return on investment following the implementation of cycle way / pedestrian infrastructure initiatives and zoning programs.

This can be used very effectively to:

• Accurately record cyclist activity at key points along cycle routes 
• Count cyclist activity before and after cycle lane deployment.
• Monitor frequency and time of day usage.
• Analyse most effective / popular routes.
• Compare with traffic/ air quality data in order to minimise cyclist exposure.
• Identify potential bottlenecks & safety issues.
• Monitoring exit / entry points onto a dedicated cycle way.
• Calculate journey times and wait times at key intersections
• Support the planning & measure the impact of major cycling events

These devices are usually deployed in two scenarios:

1. As a series of linked units arranged in sequence to monitor the cycle activity & frequency at key check points along a specified route.   By calibrating the devices along the route duplication can be eliminated enabling the total number of cycles using the route to be recorded on a real time basis. The primary objective being to understand the behaviour of cyclists and to accurately measure the actual volume of people cycling a long a given route at a given time.

• As single units designed to monitor and gather base / comparison data for specific hot spots and events.  The unitscan be used to measure specific activity at single points along the route, in particular key intersections where cycle lanes cross busy roadways.

In addition to the quantitative data (numbers by location / 24 hr time stamped), careful positioning and calibration of the units can provide a limited degree of qualitative directional data. This can be used to evaluate the general direction and movement of the overall mass of cyclists rather than accurate tracking of specific individuals.