Cyclist-Favoring Weather Sensors

This Traffic Light Sensor Prioritizes Bike Riders in the Rain

Published: Dec 31, 2015 • References: rotterdam.nl & springwise

This traffic light sensor in the Dutch city of Rotterdam gives cyclists a green light faster in rainy weather. The sensor system is currently part of a trial that only makes bike riders wait for 40 seconds for the light to turn green when it's raining.

Other cities are also experimenting with traffic priority, but this is the only one to focus in on inclement weather conditions. This allows wet commuters to get to their destination faster while dry drivers compromise with longer sitting time at traffic lights. Currently the traffic light sensor only exists at one intersection, but there are plans to extend their reach in the future.

Rotterdam already has dedicated phasing for bicycle lanes, showing how invested the city council is to encouraging environmentally friendly (not to mention healthy) modes of transport.