Hasselt University (UHasselt) and its project partners, Cegeka, OCW, Vlawebo, and Embuild Limburg, are investigating how innovative technologies can ensure better roads, safer traffic, and more sustainable mobility.
They experiment with digital solutions in real-life situations, in an innovative test garden. The pilot project will use various locations in Limburg as test areas.
Digital innovations
“The tests range from the use of infrared scanners to improve the quality of asphalt works, to cameras and AI systems that detect traffic conflicts at an early stage, to technology that optimizes Hoppinpunten,” explains project coordinator An Neven of UHasselt-IMOB in the newspaper Belang van Limburg. (A ‘Hoppinpunt’ is a point where different means of transport come together and are coordinated with each other.)
“By testing digital innovations around mobility, road safety, and infrastructure within the complex daily life, we accelerate the transition to more sustainable, safer, and more efficient travel in Limburg,” she continues.
Cameras and AI techniques
“We use technology to make Hoppinpunten more efficient by integrating car-related locations with shared bicycles or e-steps, and predicting the impact of this on the users of such Hoppinpunten. In terms of safety, we are developing proactive traffic conflict detection systems using fixed cameras.”
“We are improving the merging of road users detected by AI techniques from multiple camera perspectives, and testing various conflict indicators. We also test innovations linked to infrastructure, such as the use of infrared scanners during asphalt works.”
‘Learning by doing’
“Given the involvement of the business community, governments, and knowledge institutions in a real-life innovation environment for road construction, we can also effectively roll out the innovations to the broader sector,” concludes Chris Slaets, Managing Director at Embuild Limburg.
“For true innovation, learning by doing is still the most effective approach. Experience centers, such as the Innovative Testing Ground MIA in action, make that possible.”
