Unique research into smart traffic lights

Our traffic lights are important 'buttons' in our network that we can turn to encourage certain modes of transport in the right places. What requirements must our traffic light network meet? This should become clear thanks to a unique study involving more than 30 traffic lights and routes in the Brainport region. Yvonne van Velthoven-Aarts from the municipality of Eindhoven and Luuk Misdom from the municipality of Helmond talk about it in this article.

This research is unique. Never before has such a large-scale research been conducted using a multimodal network framework. The final goal? Encouraging people to make smarter mobility choices. Yvonne: 'Last year was one multimodal network framework in which we have recorded for all roads in the region how important we consider all those modes of transport in those places. The intention is that the most important route for a local mode of transport will also have the most greenery. We look for the best balance in our network. We want to show travelers and feel that they can make smart choices in their travel behavior and we want to work together with the municipalities to gain insight into the current functioning of the traffic lights. That is why Brainport Bereikbaar will start this research in January in collaboration with DTV Consultants and various municipalities. We will test how the traffic lights currently function and, where necessary, immediately make adjustments on the street. In this way we hope to give smart mobility choices a boost'.

Participating municipalities

The research will soon be conducted in Best, Deurne, Eindhoven, Geldrop-Mierlo, Helmond, Nuenen, Son en Breugel, Valkenswaard, Veldhoven, Waalre and Eersel. Luuk: 'How and what we are going to do varies enormously per municipality and even per traffic light. We also look further. For example, to some projects to get an idea of how we are performing in other places in the region. We measure the results and adjust the settings several times. Because several municipalities participate, we can make good comparisons. Important, because mobility does not stop at a municipal border. Through the collaboration with Brainport Bereikbaar we can share our knowledge and efforts.'

Result on the street

Yvonne and Luuk hope that the research will ultimately lead to a method with which we can achieve results on the street: 'In theory, the multimodal network framework is rock solid. We are now going to test it in practice and, where possible, distribute some extra greenery here and there to cyclists or buses, for example. So that we, as road managers, gain more balance and control in and on our road network and the residents of the region can feel and experience this!'

Would you like to know more about this project? Please contact Yvonne or Luke.