Automatic transport counters with real time display

From July 2023 to March 2024, we trialled automatic counter devices with real time display at 2 locations along the Principal Cycle Network in Brisbane.

The devices were located on the:

• Veloway 1 in Woolloongabba
• Canon Garland Overpass at Centenary Cycleway in Toowong.

They counted and displayed the total number of path users, including pedestrians, bicycle riders and other users, for the day and the year-to-date in real time.

Other useful information including safety information, time of day, temperature, and messages to encourage active transport was also displayed.

Path users and residents around each trial location were invited to provide feedback on the devices during the trial.

Key findings

Through the trial, we gained a better understanding of the suitability of these technologies for use at other possible future sites on the pathway network based on user experience, technology accuracy, installation and maintenance costs and reliability.

The trial revealed:

• both technologies were able to deliver sufficiently accurate counts of most path users, and both trial sites gave valuable insights into the ongoing monitoring and management of displays
• path users generally felt the information displayed was easy to understand and true; they also felt other types of information, such as static wayfinding/directional signage and safety information, would be more valuable and likely to encourage more active transport use
• counting new types of pathway users such as e-scooters remains a challenge that requires further investigation and testing of new technologies as they become available.

Next steps

Based on the trial findings, we:

• will keep the display in place at Toowong for several more years as it is working well and will allow for longer term testing of the hardware and software
• decommissioned the trial device at the Veloway 1 site as the site wasn't well suited for a display longer term
• have resolved that future displays should only be installed in high use, iconic locations (more than 1000 users a day) due to their cost and maintenance requirements
• have commenced exploring options to modernise our active transport data platform to enable us to take advantage of innovation in counting technologies
• will also explore opportunities to make count information more readily available to the community via other mechanisms such as open data.

Automatic counter and display trialled on the Veloway 1 at Woolloongabba

Automatic counter and display trialled at Canon Garland Overpass at Centenary Cycleway in Toowong