Camcycle seeks volunteers to pilot window-mounted traffic sensors

Volunteers are being sought for a pilot scheme that uses window-mounted sensors to count and analyse traffic data on the county’s streets.

The scheme, run by charity Camcycle and supported by the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, aims to create a detailed picture of traffic issues on particular streets.

The charity wants to recruit 18 people, with volunteers required to be over 18 and have access to a first or second floor window at home or work where a sensor could be hosted for at least 12 months.

The sensors are provided by the Belgian company Telraam, which initially built its product around a Cambridge-designed Raspberry Pi computer, but has since moved to a bespoke model that more accurately distinguishes people walking and cycling.

Julia Coonan, a resident of Romsey ward in Cambridge, has been trialling a window-mounted sensor.

“Hosting a Telraam camera has been a really interesting way to get a better idea of how much and what kind of traffic is using our street. The device was super-easy to set up, uses minimal energy and provides really clear data. It has also been a fun way to discuss issues around traffic with our neighbours,” she said.

The sensors allow residents to monitor the different modes of transport continuously on a street and collect anonymised data that can be shared with planners, local authorities and community groups.

After a short set-up and installation on the inside of a suitable window, the sensor runs continuously, sending data without the need for a wifi connection. An LCD screen provides an overview of the traffic for the past 15 minutes and the day as a whole.

The data will reveal traffic volumes, the ratios between the different modes of transport and the number of movements per direction of travel.

It will supplement data provided by existing monitors such as Cambridgeshire County Council’s network of VivaCity sensors or applied to areas without any monitors.

Telraam counters are already being used for data collection in some areas of Cambridgeshire. Members of Milton Parish Council have been using the sensors to gain a better understanding on vehicular traffic levels and flows in the village. Adding to existing data from local authorities and manual traffic counts, it will shape their input to future designs for the Greater Cambridge Partnership’s Waterbeach greenway.

Hazel Smith, parish clerk, said: “Milton Parish Council bought a Telraam counter last autumn and we’ve now tried it in three separate locations in the village. We wanted to get our own data to understand the amount and breakdown of traffic on the different routes through Milton. It shows the number of cars, HGVs, cycles and pedestrians in each direction during daylight hours. For an even better understanding of the issues, we’d like to be able to take readings from two or three places at the same time, so we’ll be applying to the Camcycle loan scheme to help us do this.”

Paul Ellwood, a member of the parish council, added: “The Telraam counter has allowed us to place a device at very specific locations for us to collect data, be it a street of interest, a junction or a traffic ‘hot spot’ where we need more

precise information. This gives us a detailed picture which is not available from other sources.”

The project is open to volunteers from across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who can host a monitor in an appropriate location.

Applications will be assessed on the suitability of the suggested window and the impact the data collection could have on the successful delivery or continuation of street improvements.

Applications should be made via the Camcycle Community Street Counts page on the Telraam website at tinyurl.com/CambsStreetCounts. The deadline for applications is 18 April.