Example of a detailed analysis as a before and after comparison
In many cities, the mobility transition is in full swing. As part of this development, numerous structural changes are being made in urban areas with the aim of increasing road safety for all participants or promoting cycling. To this end, local authorities are implementing traffic engineering measures and issuing traffic regulations that pursue specific goals, such as reducing speed or traffic volume, promoting cycling and walking or increasing road safety.
However, once implementation is complete, the question often arises as to whether the desired effect actually occurs and whether the structural or technical measure or the traffic order also supports the set objectives. Sensor data from motor vehicles can provide important insights for rapid impact monitoring shortly after implementation (just 3-4 months later). Data on near-accidents and safety-critical driving maneuvers, such as sharp braking and sudden evasive maneuvers, as well as speed data and traffic volumes can be used.
Hamburg use case: impact measurement with telematics data
The Initiative for Safe Streets evaluated a structural safety measure for cyclists for the city of Hamburg, in which innovative telematics data from vehicles was analyzed. The focus was on an accident-prone intersection in Hamburg’s HafenCity (Am Sandtorkai / Großer Grasbrook), where an innovative system to improve road safety was tested as part of the PrioBike-HH project (2024). The aim of PrioBike-HH was to use digital technology and optical signals to prevent turning accidents and significantly increase the safety of cyclists. A radar-based detection system monitors whether vehicles and cyclists are approaching the junction. In the event of a possible collision during a turning maneuver, built-in LED ground lights flash to warn drivers of cyclists in the crossing area. In addition to the visual analysis using camera images, the Initiative for Safe Roads has used innovative sensor data from motor vehicles to gain an initial assessment of whether the ground lights also function effectively as a warning for motorists. In a before-and-after analysis, safety-critical driving maneuvers such as sharp braking and steering maneuvers as well as floating car data such as traffic volumes and speeds were evaluated in detail.
The advantage of this type of detailed analysis is that it also allows detailed individual data to be evaluated with a very precise focus, which is not available in the SMART portal. In addition, the Initiative for Safe Roads was also able to draw on the extensive historical mobility data and make comparisons with both the previous months of the measure and the corresponding periods of previous years.
The collaboration was also supported by the Mobility Data Space (MDS) and its community team.
The evaluation results provide valuable insights for future traffic designs and the potential implementation of safety measures in Hamburg. However, such a detailed analysis is also suitable for other areas of application. For example, areas with a diffuse accident pattern or other issues relating to problem areas in the local authority’s road network can be examined in more detail, depending on local needs and issues.