Welcome to the ATX Open Source Traffic Sensor, a City of Austin initative to create a network of traffic sensors built with commodity hardware and open-source software.
Open-source data collection network for transportation to improve communication between public agencies, increase public access to transportation data and inform planning decisions and discussion
Our goal is to collect traffic data that can inform our efforts to improve all aspects of Austin’s transportation system. A high-density network of traffic sensors will allow us to more closely monitor traffic conditions and will reduce our response time to issues. The data will enable planners to better understand traffic patterns and make data-informed design decisions. The traffic data we collect will also help our engineers identify and mitigate safety issues on roadways. Furthermore, we intend to make the sensor software and collected data publicly available so that research institutions, private companies, and the general public can help us derive new insights about Austin’s transportation system.
We do not have the IT resources to take on this project by ourselves, and commercial data collection solutions are prohibitively expensive. That’s why we’re seeking help from Austin’s incredible community of civic-minded technologists to help us achieve our goal. We believe strongly that, if successful, this project will lead to tangible improvements in Austin’s transportation system, and will represent a truly innovative approach to the deployment of community-driven smart city technologies. I’ve attached a few photos from our last event. Please let me know what other information we can provide.
We will build a prototype of the sensor at the ATX Hack for Change.
City of Austin + UT Commodity hardware Open Source Software Network of devices Prototype Network Architecture + Device Management
This project is a continuation of the work carried out at [ATX Hack the Traffic() and
Write a vehicle detection program to run on an SBC (single board computer) such as a Raspberry Pi, an Arduino, or an Edison. You can use Bluetooth, WiFi, or any other sensor technology that the SBC supports.
The software should produce data that can be easily consumed for processing and analysis.
- Protect Privacy We are commited protecting individual privacy, and our project must (do not collect or distribute PII)
Scalability, Extensibility, and Reusability
Cost Effective Open Source Open Output / Open Data
Data Collection
- Wifi
- Bluetooth
- Environmental (temperature, humidty, etc.)
- Device Status/Performance
- ??
Network Architecture + Device Management (Amazon IoT?)
Data Access (portal)
Visual Analytics / Dashboard
- Travel Time
- Volume
- Device type (vehicle, phone, other)
Hardware Assessment
- Slack
- Device
Write a vehicle detection program to run on an SBC (single board computer) such as a Raspberry Pi, an Arduino, or an Edison. You can use Bluetooth, WiFi, or any other sensor technology that your SBC supports. The software should produce data that can be easily consumed for processing and analysis.
Our goal is to collect traffic data that can inform our efforts to improve all aspects of Austin’s transportation system. A high-density network of traffic sensors will allow us to more closely monitor traffic conditions and will reduce our response time to issues. The data will enable planners to better understand traffic patterns and make data-informed design decisions. The traffic data we collect will also help our engineers identify and mitigate safety issues on roadways. Furthermore, we intend to make the sensor software and collected data publicly available so that research institutions, private companies, and the general public can help us derive new insights about Austin’s transportation system.
We do not have the IT resources to take on this project by ourselves, and commercial data collection solutions are prohibitively expensive. That’s why we’re seeking help from Austin’s incredible community of civic-minded technologists to help us achieve our goal. We believe strongly that, if successful, this project will lead to tangible improvements in Austin’s transportation system, and will represent a truly innovative approach to the deployment of community-driven smart city technologies. I’ve attached a few photos from our last event. Please let me know what other information we can provide.