Circular Boulevard, test phase for the four selected projects of the RD993 lab

Circular Boulevard Flowell solution 2021 (c) Colas

One year after the selection of applications in the framework of the "RD993 lab" call for projects, the Hauts-de-Seine Department, in collaboration with Paris La Défense and in partnership with Cerema, is launching the experimentation phase for the four selected projects.

The 4 innovative and connected projects aim to improve the operation of the La Défense ring road and make it a demonstrator of innovation by making traffic flow more smoothly and safely, while helping to reduce the ecological impact.

Objectives

Circular Boulevard Experimental plan 2021 © CD92

The objective of the behavioural experimentation phase is to test new techniques and technologies in real-life situations to ensure their proper functioning and effectiveness. This is the last stage before the implementation of solutions and infrastructures. At the end of these experiments, the projects will either be abandoned or reconsidered or a second phase of testing will be proposed.

Details of the four selected projects are

  • Flowell (signalling)

Circular Boulevard Flowell solution 2021 © Colas

The Colas Group has devised a dynamic road marking system based on LEDs in the tiles, which are connected to a control terminal and the electrical network. The marking is activated and intensified according to the traffic lights, pedestrians or cyclists in order to improve the legibility of priorities at intersections. The evaluation of the project is based on an experimental protocol based on quantitative and behavioural studies. It will be deployed between the Rue de Strasbourg intersection, the Boulevard Circulaire and the median link.

  • Intelligent traffic management (fluidification)

Circular Boulevard solution Intelligent traffic management © Citeos Qucit

Citeos, a subsidiary of Vinci Energies, and Qucit, are developing a traffic data analysis system that can predict traffic conditions 15 minutes in advance, based on which solutions can be proposed (modulation of traffic light plans, adaptation of speed, information messages) in order to improve traffic flow. This project proposes a digital solution fed with traffic data (speed, flow rates, etc.) and external data (weather, calendar).

  • Luciole ® (public lighting)

The Eiffage Group is installing an ecological solution to public lighting by guaranteeing a reduction in its energy and environmental impact. The project consists of combining a clear road surface with optimised photometric properties and LED luminaires linked to a detection system on the existing street lamps. The light intensity varies according to the approach of a vehicle, cyclist or pedestrian, increasing to a maximum when their presence is detected, and gradually decreasing in their absence. This solution aims to reduce light pollution by optimising its use according to needs, while preserving the brightness and safety of users.

  • SOFFT solution (traffic light optimisation)

Boulevard Circulaire solution Sofft © CD92 Olivier Ravoire

The Aximum Group proposes to optimise traffic lights to encourage all types of travel and to make traffic flow more smoothly, thus contributing to the dynamic sharing of the roadway. There are two devices:

  • The driver optimisation system allows drivers to receive advice on optimal speed thanks to the deployment of communicating infrastructures. The information and advice is communicated to them either via a mobile application or on the dashboard of the connected vehicles, or is displayed on billboards along the route.
  • The pedestrian optimisation system allows for the adaptation of pedestrian crossing times according to the presence and number of users detected while waiting for a pedestrian crossing, thanks to the installation of intelligent thermal sensors and communicating equipment on existing traffic lights.

What is Cerema?

The Cerema (Centre d'études et d'expertise sur les risques, l'environnement, la mobilité et l'aménagement), is a public establishment that is asserting itself as a key player in the policy of adaptation to climate change in the territories. Cerema's activities are based on six complementary areas of expertise, all of which are related to adaptation to climate change: Expertise and territorial engineering, Building, Mobility, Transport infrastructures, Environment and risks, Sea and coastline.

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