Project to measure safety and access at Hlemmur construction sites
Major changes are underway at Hlemmur, and in connection with this construction, the City has begun taking measurements to assess safety and access to work areas. Two sensors will be installed this week to measure pedestrian and vehicle traffic. The measurements focus on identifying hazards in mixed traffic.
The project uses smart sensors to detect movement and traffic flow. The measurement devices have received international certification, and all personally identifiable information is handled in accordance with strict data protection standards.
A European collaboration project
The measurements are part of a European collaboration project in which Reykjavík is a participant. The project involves evaluating safety and public use of the spaces, as well as developing safe, affordable, and sustainable solutions that leave no one behind, including older adults, disabled people, and young people. The project is called AMIGOS, which stands for Active Mobility Innovations for Green and safe city sOlutionS, with 28 participating parties from across Europe.
In Iceland, the project focuses on safety and access at construction sites amid the ongoing transformation of Hlemmur, with the goal of drawing lessons that can benefit other projects. Data gathering is a key part of this work, involving the analysis of data on accident rates, pollution, and noise, along with regular measurements of the number of cars, cyclists, and pedestrians in the area.
Evidence-based measurement devices
The measurement devices installed at Hlemmur are already used for research purposes across Europe, focusing on identifying the main hazards in mixed traffic where different types of pedestrian and vehicle routes intersect.
MOB (Mobility Observation Box) is a measurement device developed by the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT). The device has received a favorable review from Austria's data protection authority, which operates on the same basis as the Icelandic Data Protection Authority, ensuring compliance with European data protection legislation as well as relevant national laws.
Key criteria for the device's use are a clear scientific purpose—specifically, research into preventing traffic accidents—and that it serves the public interest. To achieve this goal, the project follows core principles of data minimization and proportionality. For example, all video footage is blurred, and measurements are only conducted for seven to 14 days at a time.
The project systematically ensures data security. All data streams are encrypted during collection and not processed until AIT's research laboratory receives the device. Furthermore, the project guarantees that raw data will not be used for any purpose beyond the AMIGOS initiative, including observing time limits set for data retention after collection and analysis are complete.
Reykjavík City strives to ensure the reliability, confidentiality, and safety of all personal information the City handles, as outlined in Reykjavík City's Privacy Policy.
The first round of data collection with these devices took place in fall 2023. Now, while construction is underway, traffic will be measured both around the work zones and on completed sections of the Hlemmur site. Measurements at Hlemmur will take place from Oct. 21 through Nov. 6, 2025.
MOB recently received an award for its importance in AIT's traffic safety research.
The liaison at Reykjavík City is Hannah Rós Sigurðardóttir Tobin, email: hannah.ros.sigurdardottir.tobin@reykjavik.is