Healthy Streets Inchicore

WeCount is a European project that enables citizens to initiate a policy-making process with fully automated measurement data in the field of mobility and air quality. The concept is simple: with a sensor in combination with a low-cost computer and software, anyone can measure the traffic and air pollution in his or her street. And with this measurement data, an individual citizen or a group of citizens can contact the local or regional government and advocate for more sustainable mobility in the area. We will empower local communities and schools with low cost sensors to monitor traffic volumes, speed and composition (cars, pedestrian, bikes and heavy vehicles) along with air pollution (particulate matter). We will also provide tools to analyse the data and produce policy proposals for more sustainable local mobility.

The sensors will provide evidence that local communities and schools can then use to demonstrate how their local areas are affected by high traffic volumes, speeding, high levels of air pollution etc. It will also provide evidence of the need for adequate infrastructure for more sustainable mobility by showing that the area has high numbers of people cycling while there might be no protected cycling lanes.

What you can do

You can lead a group in your local area to install monitors and gather the data need to make better informed decisions around sustainable mobility in your local area. As part of a ChangeX Partner funded Community Challenge, you can access the funding needed to buy the monitors (€500) and then work with the wider WeCount Network to analyse the data and take action.

What you can do

Lauren Tuite

2年弱前

Action Plan

Timeline: when do you think you will be able to start?
September 1 2022 to coincide with end of summer holiday and reopening of schools, all our members will be back from various summer trips too.

How often will your team meet?
We will meet once a week for the first four weeks to ensure all the monitors are working, then once a month for 18 months.

Are there any key dates to share for the project?
We would ideally like to review the data on a quarterly basis, dates to be confirmed. We will use the data to advance a pop up cycle lanes pilot for summer 2023.

Budget: you don't need to share exact prices, but we would like to know how you're planning to spend the seed funding and what costs you are anticipating to get your project up and running.
We need the funding to purchase the monitors. No other costs are predicted at this time.

COVID-19 Safety Plan: we want to ensure that you are following all local guidelines and regulations to keep everyone involved safe!
Meetings will all be online. Monitors will be distributed to team members’ homes in following relevant public health advice.

Expected Impact: how will your community benefit from this project?
Our community is a thoroughfare for motor traffic coming from the suburbs to Dublin city, we need data to quantify the public health problems this is having on local residents whose requests for traffic calming and better walking/cycling infrastructure has been ignored for years by our local authority and representatives.

Do you have any measurable goals for your project such as number of people who participate?
We will be doing outreach with businesses, schools, and community organizations. Our members are a diverse group of engaged residents with organic links to the community. Measurable goals will include 5000 signatures for our petition for traffic calming and diversion for the summer pilot previously mentioned.

Are you hoping to spread knowledge or increase interest in a specific subject?
Yes, the link between air quality and public health is our main message. 1300 Irish people die prematurely every year due to poor air quality. This is disproportionately worse in lower income, inner city communities like ours.
Location: if your project requires space, have you decided the location? do you have all necessary permission and permits to carry out your project at the chosen location?
Yes, members homes will be used to locate the monitors.