Green Wave traffic lights for cyclists (Copenhagen, Denmark)
Area: urban
Date implemented: 2004
How long from concept to implementation: Measures (and others like them) were easy and fast to implement. No construction works were necessary, only the programme of the traffic lights has to be changed. This is comparatively cheap and can be implemented without great effort.
Relation between efforts undertaken and benefits achieved: very good
What was done and how: Copenhagen is famous for its bicycle-friendly highways, with broad two-lane cycleways clearly separated from the road. However, cycling was still a stop-start process, with traffic lights favouring cars and buses, and bicycles unable to maintain an even speed. In order to cut the use of fossil fuels and ease mobility, and help the city meet its goal of becoming the world's first carbon-neutral capital by 2025, there was still more to be done to support cyclists, in particular to make their journeys quicker and safer.
Before 2004, traffic lights were coordinated in favour of cars, but the idea was to adjust them to make cycling easier and quicker. On most major arteries leading into the city centre, the traffic lights were coordinated to allow continuous flow of traffic, allowing cyclists to flow into the city in the morning rush hour. The lights reverse in the afternoon to send people home on a simple, tech-based tailwind. The principle was simple, at a speed of 20 km/h, cyclists during rush hour can surf a wave of green lights through the city without putting a foot down.
This "green wave" consists of LED lights in the asphalt or on posts that tell the cyclist whether he or she can cross the next traffic light at the speed he or she has selected when the lights are green. Countdown signals are also used. If a cyclist remains in the green wave, she/he is given the green light at the next intersection - and at the next - and the next - and so on. The system is connected to the surrounding intersections and traffic signals to ensure perfect coordination with other road users and to generate an ideal traffic flow.
The green waves for cyclists was established along three streets: Nørrebrogade, Østerbrogade and Farimagsgade. A string of green lights embedded in the bike path, the Green Wave, flashes on, helping cyclists avoid red traffic lights. It was decided on, and implemented by, the city's Department of Traffic. This was Green Wave V1.0. Green Wave 2.0 can identify bicycle users approaching an intersection and if there are five or more citizens roughly cycling together, the light will stay green up ahead until they pass.
The introduction of the green wave for cyclists resulted in an increased average speed from 15.1 to 20.7 km/h. This means a reduction of travel time by 2.5 minutes (nearly 30%) on just 2.2 km journey. Reduction or elimination of waiting times at crossings also saves space on the highway.
In order to prevent high risk of accidents with right-turning cars, Denmark is also investing in warning signs that draw the attention of drivers to cyclists. LEDs in asphalt or LED variable message signs warn motorists, for example, when bicycles cross the bike lane, as these are often difficult to see in the side mirror - the keyword is "blind spot". When a cyclist is detected, the signs light up with a speed reduction message or a warning message. If there are no more cyclists in the danger area, they switch off automatically.
Why it worked to 'fast track' the innovation/measure: Increasing cycling infrastructure, such as cyclometer infrastructure to inform cyclists about speed, temperature, time, passing bikes on that day/year, public announcements, train/bus times, events, etc., or green wave technology, assists cyclists and makes cycling more attractive. By installing the device, a city can motivate cyclists, thank them for their contribution to the environment or show statistics. At the same time, the traffic officers responsible can get a detailed picture of bicycle traffic - as is already common practice in many cities today for cars.
Lessons learnt: Transport by bus was initially adversely affected. Evaluations of Green Wave V1.0 showed that it had an unfortunate side-effect, increasing travel time for buses by up to 14 percent. Adaptive systems are now being used which prioritise between bikes and buses using data from traffic sensors and GPS in buses dynamically, in such a way that the buses are not delayed.
Tips for replication: Identify win-win solutions; match property companies with space, to companies willing to test
Sources or links:
Date implemented: 2004
How long from concept to implementation: Measures (and others like them) were easy and fast to implement. No construction works were necessary, only the programme of the traffic lights has to be changed. This is comparatively cheap and can be implemented without great effort.
Relation between efforts undertaken and benefits achieved: very good
What was done and how: Copenhagen is famous for its bicycle-friendly highways, with broad two-lane cycleways clearly separated from the road. However, cycling was still a stop-start process, with traffic lights favouring cars and buses, and bicycles unable to maintain an even speed. In order to cut the use of fossil fuels and ease mobility, and help the city meet its goal of becoming the world's first carbon-neutral capital by 2025, there was still more to be done to support cyclists, in particular to make their journeys quicker and safer.
Before 2004, traffic lights were coordinated in favour of cars, but the idea was to adjust them to make cycling easier and quicker. On most major arteries leading into the city centre, the traffic lights were coordinated to allow continuous flow of traffic, allowing cyclists to flow into the city in the morning rush hour. The lights reverse in the afternoon to send people home on a simple, tech-based tailwind. The principle was simple, at a speed of 20 km/h, cyclists during rush hour can surf a wave of green lights through the city without putting a foot down. This "green wave" consists of LED lights in the asphalt or on posts that tell the cyclist whether he or she can cross the next traffic light at the speed he or she has selected when the lights are green. Countdown signals are also used. If a cyclist remains in the green wave, she/he is given the green light at the next intersection - and at the next - and the next - and so on. The system is connected to the surrounding intersections and traffic signals to ensure perfect coordination with other road users and to generate an ideal traffic flow.
The green waves for cyclists was established along three streets: Nørrebrogade, Østerbrogade and Farimagsgade. A string of green lights embedded in the bike path, the Green Wave, flashes on, helping cyclists avoid red traffic lights. It was decided on, and implemented by, the city's Department of Traffic. This was Green Wave V1.0. Green Wave 2.0 can identify bicycle users approaching an intersection and if there are five or more citizens roughly cycling together, the light will stay green up ahead until they pass.
The introduction of the green wave for cyclists resulted in an increased average speed from 15.1 to 20.7 km/h. This means a reduction of travel time by 2.5 minutes (nearly 30%) on just 2.2 km journey. Reduction or elimination of waiting times at crossings also saves space on the highway.
In order to prevent high risk of accidents with right-turning cars, Denmark is also investing in warning signs that draw the attention of drivers to cyclists. LEDs in asphalt or LED variable message signs warn motorists, for example, when bicycles cross the bike lane, as these are often difficult to see in the side mirror - the keyword is "blind spot". When a cyclist is detected, the signs light up with a speed reduction message or a warning message. If there are no more cyclists in the danger area, they switch off automatically. Why it worked to 'fast track' the innovation/measure: Increasing cycling infrastructure, such as cyclometer infrastructure to inform cyclists about speed, temperature, time, passing bikes on that day/year, public announcements, train/bus times, events, etc., or green wave technology, assists cyclists and makes cycling more attractive. By installing the device, a city can motivate cyclists, thank them for their contribution to the environment or show statistics. At the same time, the traffic officers responsible can get a detailed picture of bicycle traffic - as is already common practice in many cities today for cars.
Lessons learnt: Transport by bus was initially adversely affected. Evaluations of Green Wave V1.0 showed that it had an unfortunate side-effect, increasing travel time for buses by up to 14 percent. Adaptive systems are now being used which prioritise between bikes and buses using data from traffic sensors and GPS in buses dynamically, in such a way that the buses are not delayed.
Tips for replication: Identify win-win solutions; match property companies with space, to companies willing to test
Sources or links:
