Whangarei's Cycle and Shared Path Networks: How Countculture Sensors are Shaping the City's Future
Whangarei
Cycle and Shared Path Networks
Whangarei District Council has embraced a progressive approach to enhancing its cycling and shared path infrastructure by installing Countculture sensors across the city. These smart sensors enable the council to monitor the use of shared paths and cycle lanes, providing essential data that informs urban planning decisions and public safety initiatives.
The city has seen significant growth in active transport options, with notable increases in cycling and scooter usage.
Our advanced sensor systems and intuitive dashboard have greatly improved the council’s ability to analyse and report on usage patterns.
As the network continues to expand, Countculture data will play a vital role in shaping a more sustainable, safe, and accessible city for all.
According to Caley McGillvary, Project Manager in Road Safety Promotion at Northland Regional Council, cycling movements have surged by 25-30% month-on-month compared to one year ago. E-scooters are also becoming a prominent feature in the city’s transport landscape.
Monitoring these trends in real time has proven to be a game-changer. Whangarei currently has 15 permanent count sites operational and reporting data. The “heritage” sensors, as McGillvary calls them, were established between October to December in 2022 and have formed the baseline data for reporting.
While the sensors are primarily installed along shared paths, there are plans to expand monitoring to other areas where future network connections are being considered.
Whangarei is 10 years into a 30 year strategy, with significant paths up into Te Kamo, out to Raumanga and out to Onerahi. The Kamo shared path stage five will open in late 2024, that will add an additional two kilometres onto the end of the path.
Countculture’s advanced sensor systems and intuitive dashboard have greatly improved the council’s ability to analyse and report on usage patterns. Countculture recently created a new dashboard that allows data to be presented in various formats, from detailed 15-minute intervals to broader day, week, and month overviews.
The integration of weather data with cycle and scooter counts also provides valuable insights into how external factors affect active transport. Rainy days show a marked decrease in micro-mobility usage, reinforcing the importance of providing flexible options, such as the ability for cyclists to switch to public transport during bad weather.
Countculture data also plays a crucial role in responding to public concerns. When questions arise about the use of shared paths, particularly from those who may not regularly see cyclists or scooters, the council can provide responses driven by acurate real-time data.
This phase also includes the extension of the Kamo shared path, which will soon link the city centre to the suburban hub of Te Kamo.
As the city continues to expand its active transport networks, data collected by Countculture sensors will remain critical for justifying further expansions and ensuring that new paths are located where they will have the greatest impact.
Countculture sensors have become an invaluable tool for Whangarei District Council in monitoring and improving the city’s cycling and shared path networks. By providing real-time data and actionable insights, these systems assist planners, elected officials, and the public in making informed decisions about the future of transport in Whangarei.
Introducing Our New White Paper: The Ultimate Guide to Evaluating People Counting Systems for Local Government and Enterprise Organisations
