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.
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.
Online data from the three traffic monitors in Navan can be seen at this link https://navancycling.ie/monitoring-navan-traffic/
We've reached out to a number of community groups, schools and our local authority, to find groups who have an interest in how we travel around our local area.
Our sports and community centre, Claremont Stadium, agreed to host one of our traffic sensors (see photos) and when the schools return after the summer break, we're due to connect with them to tee up a project with the 6th class students.
We're active on social media, and we post details of the sensors whenever there's a discussion about traffic - so that an informed discussion can happen (though it's often clear that people aren't often open to this)
The process of engaging with our community was much slower and more difficult than we anticipated. We've learned that we need to engage at particular times of the year with schools.
Finally, we've managed to engage our local authority, who are installing our final device, on a road where the newest cycle lanes have just been finished. We hope this will act as a way for people to clearly see that more people are walking and cycling. This connection with the Local Authority has the potential that we could expand much further, throughout the county we hope, on the back of our small funding.
Initial funding is on its way..
The manager of Claremont Stadium on Commons Road has responded positively to my request to POSSIBLY use them as a location. The location isn't perfect, but they host a number of community groups there so it's positive from that aspect. Also it would be a good measure of "before" infrastructure. Eventually Commons Road is to get cycle lanes, but there's no plan at the moment.
Kickoff Meeting Notes
Identify “Groups who might be interested in the data”
Residents Associations
Groups based out of Claremont Stadium - Dave
Groups based out of the Unity Centre, Windtown - Dave
Schools
Beaufort College - Eric may be able to get a contact, Kevin - Green Schools contact
Green Schools contact in general - Kevin
Identify Potential Locations
Woodlands - Eric’s home
Ratholdren Road … ? Dave to check this out
Trim Road … old county council offices?
Commons Road … Claremont stadium?
Education Centre on Kentstown Road
Meath Chronicle Offices, Timmons Hill
Railway Street
Academy Street
Next Steps
Confirm or rule out locations
Make contact with local groups
Regroup to form a plan
Connect in 2-3 weeks time to confirm locations and groups.
Action plan:
Timeline: When will you be able to start your project? How often will your team meet? Are there any key dates to share for the project?
Week 1-3: Initial scoping of locations and community groups
Week 4-5: Confirm locations and community groups
Week 4-7: Purchase devices and install
Week 5-8: Promote on Navan Cycling Initiative social media channels, Meath Chronicle newspaper
Month + 1: Meet community groups, assess initial thoughts
Month + 2: Promote to Councillors ahead of the Local Elections
Quarterly: Meet community groups to assess learnings
Twice a year: Meet Meath County Council to share data, as inputs for planning
Budget: You don't need to share exact prices, but please share how you're planning to spend the seed funding & what costs you're anticipating to get your project up and running:
Purchase two devices at €200 inc VAT each, using funds from Navan Cycling Initiative to cover the overspend
No other costs.
Impact: How will your community benefit from this project? Do you have any measurable goals for your project, such as the number of people that will participate? Are you hoping to spread knowledge or increase interest in a specific subject?
Our aim is for existing community groups to have data in order to have conversations about traffic and active travel in their areas. We have local elections this year, so we expect lots of waffle and misinformation, and we need to counter this with facts.
We'll have succeeded if more community groups approach us about installing devices, and if community groups talk to their peers and Councillors without our involvement.
Location: If your project requires physical space, have you decided the location? Do you have all necessary permission and permits to carry out your project at the chosen location
Our plan is to assess locations from a long-list of potential places, and narrow this down to two locations.