We caught up with Steven Soetens, GIS (Geographic Information System) Analyst at the Province of Antwerp, MegaBITS' Project Partner. We asked him about the goals, developments and benefits of the four MegaBITS implementation overseen by the Province. Read the full interview below.
F106 Cycle Highway's Participation Platform
Steven, what is your role in the MegaBITS project?
My role in the MegaBITS project is tied to my job at the Province of Antwerp, where I work in the Department of Mobility. My expertise is in geographic information systems (GIS), so I often refer to myself as a digital map maker. I handle the numbers and maps for mobility-related projects within the province.
With the Province of Antwerp, we participated in the former BITS project, which focused primarily on gathering and analysing cycling data. With MegaBITS, we don’t only collect data, but also create platforms that enable citizens to actively interact with the projects. This makes the process more interactive and ensures that the solutions we develop better align with the needs and expectations of the people who use them.
Can you tell me more about the four implementations you're working on with the Province of Antwerp for MegaBITS?
We have four implementations in total. The first is a digital citizen participation platform for the F106 cycle highway. It’s a simple, user-friendly tool designed to engage citizens, gather their feedback, and improve the planning process for the cycle highway. Participants can share information about themselves, their connection to the route, their thoughts on our plans, and their opinions on the current state of the route. It also allows them to pinpoint specific problem areas on a map. All this information is linked to an internal dashboard, which helps us identify key issues, such as dangerous crossroads.
How did you make citizens participate on the digital citizen participation platform?
To distribute the survey, QR codes were placed along the route, which proved highly successful. Additional outreach included social media channels, local newspapers, and collaboration with municipalities. Currently, we’re focusing on involving younger participants, such as students who frequently use the route, to ensure their perspectives are also considered.
There’s an ongoing discussion about sharing the dashboard data with the public to demonstrate transparency and how their input shapes the project. This could serve to thank citizens and show that their feedback is both valued and actionable.
Could you tell me more about the other implementation on the use of Floating Bike Data?
The floating bike data pilot uses GeoVelo, a platform that tracks cycling activity without requiring users to manually start the app. This system collects objective data, such as average speeds, stop durations, and popular routes, allowing us to identify issues like bottlenecks or slow areas. This contrasts with the subjective feedback gathered from citizens via surveys and platforms, where participants flag specific problems or share their opinions. The collected data is visualized and can be exported for further analysis, like segmenting speeds or identifying patterns.
The primary aim is to evaluate different tools and approaches to citizen participation and data collection, optimizing for efficiency and replicability across mobility projects in the province. This initiative is a learning process, leveraging the MegaBITS project to test tools that could standardize our approach to mobility projects in the future. The potential of using this kind of platforms as a community building platform is also evaluated.
Can you tell me more about the Mobility Potential Tool, another pilot of MegaBITS?
The goal of this tool is to simulate potential impacts of infrastructure changes on mobility patterns in the province of Antwerp. The tool starts with a baseline model containing data about current traffic conditions, including cycling, motorized, and freight traffic.
Via the tool we can analyse existing traffic patterns, such as the volume of cyclists on roads during peak hours. The tool also allows users to simulate the effects of proposed infrastructure changes, such as building a new cycle highway. For instance, we can draw a virtual cycle highway on the map and the tool will calculate how this addition impacts cycling traffic in the area. This helps identify whether the new infrastructure would attract more cyclists or divert existing traffic patterns.
Localized scenarios can be modeled to address specific traffic challenges too. For example, in a rural area with excessive cut-through traffic on small roads, the tool can simulate the effects of lowering speed limits or physically blocking certain roads for motorized traffic while keeping them open for cyclists. It then visualizes changes in traffic volumes, travel times, and overall mobility patterns. This helps policymakers make informed decisions with minimal negative impact on travel times.
The tool was developed as part of the MegaBITS project, which allowed us to test innovative solutions in mobility. While there are limitations—such as scale issues or the need for better underlying data quality—the tool has proven valuable in fostering data-driven decision-making. It’s particularly useful for convincing local policymakers and mayors, who often rely on intuition.
In the future, we hope to refine the tool, improve input data quality, and expand its applications. It could be promoted for broader use across other provinces or regions, encouraging a more evidence-based approach to mobility policy.
What’s next for MegaBITS and the Data Fusion pilot?
The goal of Data Fusion is to connect various data sources to improve analysis. For example, if bicycle accidents have increased at an intersection, is it due to higher danger or simply more cyclists? To find out, we would link accident data with cyclist counts.
What excites you most about this project?
I really enjoy the learning process. As a data analyst, experimenting with new tools is exciting. If we can use this knowledge to improve the world for cyclists, even in small ways, I’m very happy.
For other regions or municipalities, I’d emphasize that the true value of our pilots lies in the lessons we learn. Each pilot explores specific tools, like floating bike data or participatory platforms, and identifies what works, what doesn’t, and the challenges with source data. Sharing these insights, especially the mistakes we’ve made, can help others avoid similar pitfalls and build on our experiences.
Ultimately, the project’s final evaluations will serve as a valuable resource for anyone aiming to improve mobility through data-driven approaches.