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Riding the Green Wave – How Countdown Timers at Bicycle Traffic Lights Impact on Cycling Behavior

Author

Listed:
  • Christina Brand

    (Institute of Transport Economics, Muenster)

  • Thomas Hagedorn

    (Institute of Transport Economics, Muenster)

  • Till Kösters

    (Institute of Transport Economics, Muenster)

  • Marlena Meier

    (Institute of Transport Economics, Muenster)

  • Gernot Sieg

    (Institute of Transport Economics, Muenster)

  • Jan Wessel

    (Institute of Transport Economics, Muenster)

Abstract

The Leezenflow system is an open-source green wave assistant designed specifically for cyclists and is installed 110 meters in front of a traffic light in Münster, Germany. The system indicates the remaining time of the current traffic light phase through an expiring bar, colored either green or red. This is intended to help cyclists adjust their speed in order to cross the traffic lights when green, and consequently optimize cycling flow. We conduct a natural field experiment in real traffic to analyze the impact of the Leezenflow system on cycling flow and safety, and find that it impacts statistically significantly on cycling flow. Due to the Leezenflow system, the number of cyclists that have to stop at the red lights decreases by 6.6 %. Accordingly, the share of cyclists that pass the green lights increases. The data also indicate positive effects on traffic safety. The results of the natural field experiment confirm and put into perspective the feedback of an accompanying online survey. The majority of surveyed users reports that the Leezenflow system does improve the cycling flow. The influence on traffic safety is predominantly seen as positive or neutral by the survey participants. The Leezenflow system can thus help city planners to promote cycling, thereby enabling more sustainable mobility.

Suggested Citation

  • Christina Brand & Thomas Hagedorn & Till Kösters & Marlena Meier & Gernot Sieg & Jan Wessel, 2023. "Riding the Green Wave – How Countdown Timers at Bicycle Traffic Lights Impact on Cycling Behavior," Working Papers 37, Institute of Transport Economics, University of Muenster.
    • Handle: RePEc:mut:wpaper:37
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.wiwi.uni-muenster.de/ivm/sites/ivm/files/documents/forschung/diskussionspapiere/workingpaper37.pdf
    File Function: First Version, 2023
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Thomas Hagedorn & Jan Wessel, 2022. "How Information on Emissions per Euro Spent can Influence Leisure Travel Decisions," Working Papers 35, Institute of Transport Economics, University of Muenster.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Bicycle traffic flow; traffic safety; open-source green wave assistant; countdown timer; natural field experiment; survey;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R49 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Other
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments

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