Video analytics for monitoring active transport network

This research project leverages cutting-edge video analytics (VA) technology as a means of monitoring use of Perth’s active transport network. Focusing on Principal Shared Paths (PSP) and other active transport routes in selected local government areas, the project will explore and test capabilities of VA in providing a deeper insight on how the network is being used by people walking, wheeling and riding across the network.

Using the University of Western Australia’s RoadSense Analytics software, researchers will extract valuable information on user speeds, counts, modes, and movement and interaction patterns.

The findings will inform future data collection and monitoring strategy and investment, and will benefit various stakeholders including transport authorities, local governments, and the wider community.

This collaborative effort aims to contribute to understanding of active travel and support for active transport infrastructure management and investment.

Participants

• Department of Transport (WA)
• University of Western Australia
• Main Roads Western Australia

Project background

For this project active transport refers to making journeys in physically active ways for various purposes including commute to work or education, shopping or for exercise, recreation, or leisure. This concept encompasses a range of modes, primarily walking and cycling, and also includes wheelchair use, scooting, skating, running, paddling, and the use of assisted devices such as e-bikes and e-scooters.

There is a growing need to understand how this infrastructure is used. Understanding the path usage patterns and behaviours is crucial for future planning and optimisation of resource allocation. Ongoing monitoring currently involves piezoelectric bike counters at many locations, however these do not distinguish bicycles from eRideables or accurately detect people walking. These limitations are partly due to technical challenges, as most existing sensors on the market are specifically designed for a mode and thus cannot reliably detect all active transport modes.

Recent advancements in video analytics (VA) technology have emerged as a promising solution to address the data gap in active transport research. VA has potential for more comprehensive, inclusive monitoring, covering all modes. It could allow insights into how the network is being used by different user groups and will inform the Department of Transport’s future network monitoring strategy.

This project represents a significant step forward in leveraging VA technology to manage and improve active transport infrastructure, ultimately contributing to more sustainable and efficient urban mobility solutions. By assessing the capabilities of VA, the project aims to inform future data collection and monitoring strategy for the regional active transport network.

Objectives and scope

This 18-month research project aims to assess the potential of cutting-edge VA technology for understanding the use of active transport infrastructure in metropolitan Perth. This infrastructure includes primary routes, many in the form of shared paths along road and rail corridors and landscape features, and other paths included in the WA Bike Network. This project mainly focuses on walking, wheeling (mobility devices) and riding (biking and e-rideable) trips.

To achieve this, the project has the following key objectives:

• Trial the potential for VA to detect different active travel modes and collect count and pattern of use data;
• Compare the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of VA with existing piezoelectric counters on the network;
• Assess the opportunity to use video imagery from existing traffic monitoring for monitoring use of active transport infrastructure; and
• Identify options for using VA as part of an active transport infrastructure monitoring program, and outline how this technology could be integrated in a framework for future active transport data collection and analysis for Perth and regional areas.

Please note …

This page will be a living record of this project. As it matures, hits milestones, etc., we’ll continue to add information, links, images, interviews and more. Watch this space!