Leidschendam-Voorburg is mapping bicycle route usage using continuous radar monitoring
Customer
Solution
Location
Measurement points
Application
The challenge: gaining insight into two parallel bike routes
In Leidschendam-Voorburg, two bike paths run close together along Hoekweg: one along the waterfront and one along the street. The municipality lacked clear information on how cyclists are distributed across these paths, what types of vehicles use them, and how many pedestrians also pass through the area, particularly near the small bridge at ‘t Spijshuisje.
That lack of insight makes it difficult to make informed decisions about the layout and traffic flow in this area. Traditional counts provide only a snapshot. Structural decisions require continuous data that shows how usage varies throughout the day and over several days.
The municipality wanted to get started quickly, without first going through a lengthy preparation and bidding process. The question, therefore, was: how can you obtain reliable data for a specific location as quickly as possible, while at the same time exploring what the most suitable final configuration would be?
The solution: Pilot-in-a-Box for direct two-point measurement
For this project, the Pilot-in-a-Box concept was chosen. This makes it possible to install sensors very quickly and begin measuring immediately, without waiting for a permanent setup. The sensors could be deployed right away at the two desired measurement points: on the water side and on the residential side near the small bridge.
Radar and lidar sensors continuously monitor traffic at both locations. This technology reliably detects cyclists, pedestrians, and other road users, even during peak hours, in changing weather conditions, and when the path is used for multiple purposes. This provides a comprehensive and objective picture of usage on both routes, across various times of the day and over several consecutive days.
While the measurement is already underway, we are working with the municipality to determine the most suitable final configuration. The pilot period thus not only provides data but also practical insights that will inform the further design.
“Without waiting for the system to be fully set up in advance, Leidschendam-Voorburg will already have its first data and insights this month.”
The result: a first step toward more systematic measurement
Leidschendam-Voorburg already has the first data on the use of both routes. It is becoming clear how many cyclists and pedestrians pass through, in which direction they are traveling, and how that usage varies throughout the day. It is precisely this comparison between the water route and the street route that was previously unavailable.
The municipality is using these insights to determine how bicycle traffic in this area can be monitored and analyzed more effectively on an ongoing basis. The pilot project serves as the basis for decisions regarding infrastructure design and potential follow-up measurements, with the data shifting the discussion from assumptions to facts.
The project demonstrates how quickly and effectively a municipality can get started with reliable