WeCount: Citizen sensors to measure traffic and air quality in the city

Visit the project

Image with strawberry plants and toolkits for installing citizen sensors in the windows

Area

Research and Communication

Client

Project funded by the European Union

Year

2019-2022

Impact

Promotion of new paradigms of urban mobility, sustainability, and well-being, for greener and less polluting cities.

How can citizens generate data about traffic on their streets to drive change?

WeCount was a European citizen science project to count and measure mobility in cities. More than 200 residents and citizen communities in Madrid and Barcelona installed low-cost sensors in their windows to collect real-time data on how many cars, heavy vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians passed through their streets, and at what speed.

The initiative, driven alongside six other partners, was gradually developed in five countries in Europe (Belgium, Slovenia, Ireland, Wales, and Spain). Furthermore, the project sought to co-design informed solutions with citizens that address the challenges of mobility.

The project concluded in 2022, and the results can be viewed in real-time on the platform telraam.net and on the study website.

How can citizens generate data about traffic on their streets to drive change?

The project concluded in 2022, and the results can be viewed in real-time on the platform telraam.net and on the study website.

Our role

Research and coordination of the citizen science strategy
Coordination and development of the pilots in Barcelona and Madrid
Citizen participation and co-creative workshops
Citizen science
Communication and dissemination
Creation of multichannel and transmedia content (web, social networks, newsletters, press releases)
Relationship with media
Social media management
Communication campaigns and toolkits
Audiovisual production
Graphic design, branding and merchandising
Organization of workshops and events

Team

Giovanni is a researcher passionate about exploring current challenges at the intersection of technology, institutions, and society. With a background in engineering and a PhD in Information Systems, his research interests encompass IT and data governance, smart cities, open data and technology, and Management Information Systems (MIS).

giovannimaccani@ideasforchange.com

Giovanni Maccani

Research Director

With expertise in communication strategies and content creation, Elsa specializes in transmedia campaigns. At Ideas for Change, she leads corporate communications, strengthening the company’s external presence. She is also part of the European projects team, where she prepares and implements communication and dissemination plans for both public and private initiatives.

elsaboloix@ideasforchange.com

Elsa Boloix

IFC Communication Manager

With an extensive background in audiovisual production and education, Martín produces and directs all audiovisual content at Ideas for Change. He is currently involved in European projects focused on citizen impact, as well as initiatives promoting regenerative tourism.

martin@ideasforchange.com