Smart Cycle Brum: towards safer and better cycling
This talk explores the pilot phase of Cycle Smart Brum: a challenge project that sought to identify and understand in near time the hazards cyclists face, and to predict at scale when and where cyclists faced the most risk. The project comprised large scale data collection, an AI model and over 200 Birmingham cyclists to bring new and quantified insights into Birmingham riders experiences.
Capturing some 800 million data points, we identified hazardous situations including where riders swerved, braked hard and encountered poor road surface conditions. An AI model was used to learn and adjust to the riders personal style enabling a nuanced and personalised picture to be built. We found that that cyclists were 2.4x more likely to brake or swerve heavily in the immediate vicinity of a previously reported cycle incident. Where there was sufficient cycling activity we found, using an indicative model, further locations of interest.
This approach and tools can form the basis of a predictive/investigative layer for communities to identify and reduce harm to cyclists.
David Walker - Head of Leisure & Road Safety, RoSPA
David leads on the development of policy and advice for RoSPA members and networks overseeing the national road safety programmes. He leads the National Water Safety Forum executive, including the Water Incident Database (WAID), joint national communications and risk insight programme.
He is an author of the UK drowning prevention strategy, an external advisor to the recent Australian drowning prevention strategy and a technical contributor to a number of WHO and UK Government programmes. David has previously worked on Commonwealth and Olympic Games, led and guided adventurous activities. He has led on fatal accident investigation and independent reviews in Manchester, Bristol and Durham in recent years. Current programmes of interest include; supporting the development of the regulatory framework for E-Scooters & promotion of active travel; evaluation and application of AI/ML technologies; revisions to a number of HSE and Government guidance.
David is boyhood member of The Salford Lads Club and a graduate from The University of Salford. He is married to Polly and lives near Birmingham with their two young children.