Dutch researcher Holger Caesar is leading an innovative project at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) that could revolutionize road safety for cyclists. Riding a uniquely equipped electric bicycle, Caesar collects crucial data that may one day help reduce accidents and save lives.
The Delft SenseBike, as it is called, is no ordinary bicycle. Fitted with advanced laser sensors and Lidar scanners, it captures detailed information about its surroundings as it navigates through Delft’s busy streets. The bike records data on the range, direction, and elevation of both moving and stationary objects, including cyclists, pedestrians, and vehicles.
The project aims to address one of the biggest challenges in urban mobility—predicting cyclist behavior. “For cars, it’s relatively straightforward. They move in set directions—left, right, or straight. But cyclists are much harder to predict,” Caesar explains. The data collected by the SenseBike could be used to create applications that warn drivers when a cyclist makes an unexpected maneuver, helping to prevent accidents.
Lidar technology, commonly used in autonomous vehicles, plays a key role in the project. The laser sensors scan the environment, mapping the area and identifying obstacles in real time. The system also employs a labeling technique that categorizes detected objects, assigning descriptors such as “tree,” “cyclist,” or “traffic light.” This process enables AI systems to better recognize cyclists and improve overall traffic safety.
One of the primary goals of the project is to make the collected data publicly available. “The first step will be to share this data so that researchers, city planners, and entrepreneurs can use it to improve road safety,” Caesar says. AI-driven algorithms can then be developed to track and predict cyclist behavior, allowing vehicles to plan routes that minimize risks to cyclists.
Despite cycling’s popularity in the Netherlands, there is a surprising lack of comprehensive data on bicycle-related accidents. With an estimated 22 million bicycles and around 37,000 kilometers of cycle paths, collisions remain a concern. In 2023, approximately 270 cyclists lost their lives in road accidents, with nearly half involving collisions with cars, trucks, or buses.
While some may wonder if this research could lead to self-riding bicycles, Caesar dismisses the idea with a smile. “That would take away the fun of cycling,” he says. “Our goal is to make cycling safer, not replace it.”
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