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Mobile Technologies Based Distributed System for the Improvement of the Current Situation of Cyclists Moving within the Lodz Agglomeration
Krzysztof Strzecha, Tomasz Koszmider, and Konrad Stepien
Abstract— In this paper a distributed information system based on mobile technologies for the improvement of the current situation of cyclists moving within the Lodz agglomeration is described. The architecture of the system, its goals, research methodology and current state of work are presented.
Index Terms— mobile technologies, iOS, Android OS, location services, GPS, map services, distributed systems, cycling, tourism.
I. Introduction
IN recent years, a bicycle is a popular means of transport, also among the inhabitants of Lodz agglomeration. Bike is increasingly becoming not only a great way to spend your free time, but also convenient and fast means of transportation within the city.
unfortunately, Lodz agglomeration is not bicycle-friendly place. It is is one of the leaders in the ranking of the number of bicycle accidents in Poland [1]. In Lodz, and in other metropolitan cities, there are no reliable information solutions that help cyclists to find places that they should avoid and which can be dangerous for them.
There is no information about visiting the city on a bicycle. Bike trails are designated primarily outside the cities, so people using bikes for sightseeing purposes when coming to Lodz encounter difficulties moving between the places worth visiting.
New investments are often made without a reliable research about cycling in the city carried out, which makes them usually miss with real expectations and needs of cyclists.
Signing the Charter of Brussels, Lodz has committed (before 2020) to:
- increase to 15% of bicycles participation in city transportation;
- reduce by 50% the risk of bicycle accidents;
Manuscript received November 12, 2012.
Krzysztof Strzecha the Computer Engineering Department, Technical University of Lodz, Poland, e-mail: [email protected].
Konrad Stepien is with InterData s.c., Lodz, Poland, e-mail: [email protected].
Tomasz Koszmider is with the Computer Engineering Department, Technical University of Lodz, Poland, e-mail: [email protected]
- develop a system of bicycle parking facilities, and policies against theft of bicycles;
- increase the use of bicycles for commuting to school and work;
- promote the development of cycling tourism;
- cooperate with the cycling community, business and public institutions for popularization of cycling.
II. Project Description
In 2011, Computer Engineering Department of Technical University of Lodz in cooperation with InterData s.c. started work on a project sponsored by the Mayor of Lodz that can contribute to improving cycling in the urban area of Lodz by developing a distributed system based on mobile technologies. The finished system will allow:
- gathering information about bicycle traffic in the urban area of Lodz;
- analysis of collected data using specialized algorithms developed during the project;
- determination of optimal, safe cycling routes;
- integration with existing map services (i.e. Google Maps, OpenStreetMap).
- Data gathered during the project and results of its analysis should also enable:
- planning cycle investments according to the real needs of cyclists in Lodz;
- improving the safety of cycling in the urban area of Lodz;
- promoting the bicycle as a healthy, environmentally friendly and safe mode of transport;
- the development of cycling tourism in the Lodz agglomeration.
To the knowledge of the authors, the proposed research will be the first project of its kind in Poland. Existing solutions are based mostly on manual counting of cyclists, such as in Gdynia and Wroclaw, or on an automated counter of passing bicycles located under the road surface, as in Tychy. The main advantage of such solutions is their undoubted technological simplicity, but in contrast to the proposed solution, they do not allow to accumulate a lot of valuable data about bicycle traffic (e.g., the most frequently chosen routes, travel times, dangerous and friendly points).
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III. The Research Methodology
Data collection for the project will be carried out in collaboration with the community of bikers through mobile devices equipped with GPS. The prevalence and wide availability of mobile phones with GPs and Internet access will enable low-cost acquisition of large amounts of data acquired during normal use of bicycles in everyday life.
A free application developed under the project, installed on a mobile device (phone, tablet) will automatically gathers information about the route that the cyclist is moving. Simple user interaction with the application will enable acquisition of additional data based on subjective assessment of the cyclist (places that are dangerous, friendly or interesting to cyclists). These data will be automatically sent to the server, stored in a database and analyzed. The processed results will be available to other users via mobile devices and desktop computers.
The essences of the project are to use inexpensive and widely available technology (mobile phones), to conduct the tests in the real environment and to give direct benefits to participants (access to the processed results). As a result, the cost of data acquisition will be limited to a minimum, and the data will be significantly consistent with the facts.
The acquired data will be analyzed using specialized algorithms developed during the project. Results of the analysis will enable design and implementation of changes in bicycle road infrastructure, determination of safe bicycle routes, their visualization and integration with mobile navigation systems.
IV. The Detailed Synopsis of the Project
The primary objective of the project is to improve the current situation of cyclists moving within the Lodz agglomeration by developing a distributed system based on mobile technologies (Fig. 1).
Within the project, it is necessary to complete the following tasks:
- development of the applications for mobile devices (phones, tablets) equipped with GPS technology;
- development of the server for the data recording and the results presentation;
- development of the data storage server;
- gathering data on cycling in the urban area of Lodz;
- development and implementation of the algorithms for the analysis of acquired data.
A. Application for mobile devices
Application for mobile devices will be developed in two versions for most popular hardware and software platforms of advanced mobile devices: Apple IOS [2] and Google Android [3].
The application will be automatically gathering information about the cyclist route. Simple user interaction with the application will enable acquisition of additional data based on subjective assessment of the cyclist (places
that are dangerous, friendly or interesting to cyclists). In the user-selected time, collected data can be uploaded to the server at the center of the project. The application will also have the possibility to visualize the already processed data in order to use them by the rider while driving.
Fig. 1. Block diagram of the system, whose implementation is planned within the project
The application will be available free of charge to all cyclists who wish to contribute to increase the comfort and safety of cycling in the urban area of Lodz.
The use of cell phones as a tool for data collection will allow engagement of a large group of people without incurring additional costs.
B. Data recording server
The server for the data recording and the presentation of the results will be built as a WWW server. Transferring data and results will take place using standard HTTP requests. Access to research results will be possible not only by the application on the phone, but also through a standard web browser. The server will be integrated with existing map services (such as Google Maps, OpenStreetMap. In addition, the server will handle the project's website.
C. Data storage server
The data storage server will be the high performance relational database server. It will be intentionally separated from the data recording server, because the work related to the analysis of data can generate considerable load for the database and should not interfere with the functioning of the rest of the system.
D. Data collecting
The data necessary for the project will be collected using a free application developed for mobile phones. The authors predict that a large number of people, not directly related to the project, will be involved in this stage. People who use a bike as an everyday means of transportation or recreation will help to gather data that reflect the reality of cycling in the urban area of Lodz (routes with high intensity traffic, places generally regarded as safe or friendly for cyclists, etc.).
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E. Data analysis algorithms
Within the project, specialized algorithms for analysis of bicycle traffic data will be designed for:
- development of maps of bike paths and cycling routes in the urban area of Lodz and its integration with existing map services (such as Google Maps, OpenStreetMap) and mobile navigation systems;
- planning of the changes in the road infrastructure on the basis of information about routes of special bicycle traffic and the cyclists dangerous and friendly places;
- automatic determination of bicycle routes between selected points in the Lodz agglomeration optimized in terms of comfort and security of transit;
- planning of cycling recreation and sightseeing, including locations of particular interest to the tourist and recreational points of view.
V. The Primary Effects of the Project
The direct result of the implementation of the project will be the development of an accurate map of the Lodz agglomeration showing traffic volume of cyclists in each location, and containing information on locations dangerous and friendly to cyclists.
The data collected and the results of their analysis can be used by the relevant departments in the cities of Lodz agglomeration to enhance the safety of cyclists by improving the existing infrastructure or introduction of appropriate information solutions. These data can also be an excellent source of information for planning future changes in the road infrastructure.
For cyclists measurable effect of the project will the ability to automatically determining the bicycle routes between selected points in the Lodz agglomeration optimized in terms of comfort and security of travel and the availability of tools to allow the planning of recreational cycling sightseeing including places of particular interest to the tourist and recreational points of view.
The authors hope that the solutions and tools worked out within the project will help in:
- the development of bicycle road infrastructure in the urban area of Lodz in accordance with real needs and expectations of cyclists;
- the improvement of safety and comfort of cycling in the urban area of Lodz;
- the effective promotion of the bicycle as a comfortable, fast and safe means of transport in Lodz, and thus increase the number of people ready to replace the existing means of transport (including car) on the bike, which in the long term can lead to a reduction in the number of cars in the city center (less pollution, less noise, safer cycling and walking);
- the effective promotion of cycling as a healthy, safe and interesting way of recreation and leisure activities by the inhabitants of Lodz agglomeration.
VI. The Evolution of the Project
During the work, the authors have decided to extend the scope of the merits of the project with additional forms of tourism and recreation, with particular emphasis on:
- hiking, both within the city (cultural tourism, entertainment, etc.) and out of the city (hiking tours),
- various forms of recreation, such as: jogging, nordic walking, skating, cross-country skiing.
Therefore, the additional result of the implementation of the project will be the development of an accurate map of the Lodz agglomeration showing the intensity of tourism and recreation in each location, and containing information on friendly and attractive places for tourists.
These data may also, in addition to the original version of the project, be used for:
- the designation of variety of themed walking trails within the city;
- the designation of new tourist trails and the detailed description of existing ones;
- the designation of specific routes for jogging, nordic walking, skating, cross-country skiing, etc.;
- the development of information solutions promoting various forms of tourism and recreation in the Lodz region.
The authors hope that the solutions and tools worked out within the project will help, in addition to the original version of the project, in:
- the development of infrastructure for hiking in the Lodz agglomeration in accordance with real needs and expectations of tourists;
- the effective promotion of hiking as a healthy, safe and interesting way of recreation and leisure activities by the inhabitants of Lodz agglomeration;
- the development of infrastructure for the active forms of recreation (e.g., jogging, nordic walking, skating, cross country skiing, etc.) in the Lodz agglomeration in accordance with real needs and wishes of the people;
- the effective promotion of active forms of recreation (e.g., jogging, nordic walking, skating, cross country skiing, etc.), as a healthy, safe and interesting way of recreation and leisure activities by the inhabitants of Lodz agglomeration;
- the development of tourism infrastructure in the city (walking routes, help desks, etc.);
- the effective promotion of Lodz agglomeration, as a friendly and interesting place for visitors who prefer various forms of tourism and recreation;
- the effective promotion of existing and creation of new potentially attractive places from a tourist point of view (museums, cinemas, theaters, monuments, restaurants, cafes, taxi stops, public transportation, etc.);
- the increase of the tourist attractiveness of Lodz agglomeration.
it should be noted that solutions worked out within the project could contribute to the development of other forms of tourism at the urban area of Lodz, not directly included to the content of the project. For example, the development
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of walking trails and information solutions on tourist attractions may contribute to an increased interest in Lodz and the surrounding area as center for conference and trade tourism.
VII. The Current State of the Project
During the work on the project, a series of tasks was already completed. Authors have decided to present the most significant ones in terms of project success.
The data on existing communications infrastructure, with particular emphasis on cycling and walking tours (bike paths, hiking trails) and the attractions and places for recreation was collected.
The beta version of the application for mobile devices running the Android OS and Apple iOS was designed and implemented (Fig. 2). The application is in the process of extensive testing using a variety of mobile devices (phones, tablets).
Preliminary work was performed on the integration of the system being developed with web map services: Google Maps, OpenStreetMap, OpenCycleMap.
The website promoting the project was prepared. In the construction of website a content management system WordPress was used. This solution provides a simple service management, updating and further development. Website promoting the project is available at: http://lodzkinawigatorturystyczny.dot.pl/.
VIII. Conclusion
In this paper the mobile technologies based distributed system for the improvement of the current situation of cyclists moving within the Lodz agglomeration was presented. When finished, system may contribute to significant improvements in safety and comfort of cyclists within the Lodz agglomeration and, consequently, to popularize cycling as an everyday means of transportation and recreation. In its expanded form, system should help to increase the tourist attractiveness of Lodz and the surrounding area.
Acknowledgment
This paper presents research sponsored by the Mayor of Lodz. Project no. 6c entitled “Improving the current situation of cyclists moving within the Lodz agglomeration by developing a distributed system based on mobile technologies”.
References
[1] The Register of Incidents and Accidents [Online]. Available: http://www.rowerowy.bialystok.pl/sewik/.
[2] M. Neuburg, Programming iOS 5: Fundamentals of iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch Development. O'Reilly Media, 2012.
[3] Z. Mednieks, L. Dornin, G. B. Meike, M. Nakamura, Programming Android. O'Reilly Media, 2011.
Fig. 2. Beta version of application developed for iOS mobile devices running under control of iPhone simulator
Installation and configuration of server’s software was carried out. CentOS Linux was used as a operating system, MySQL as a database and Apache/PHP as a web-based environment. CentOS Linux combines the flexibility of a Linux distribution with enterprise-class reliability. Selection of server software (Apache, PHP, MySQL), was mainly due to the fact that these programs are well known, well documented and very stable in operation.
Mobile devices transmit the collected data as a SQLite database files. The transmission takes place using HTTP POST. Using SQLite format greatly simplified the implementation, since it is a format supported by both mobile systems and server platform.
Once a day, the newly uploaded files are converted to a MySQL database and sent to the server storing the data. This solution allows performing complex data processing operations on the storage server without visible effects on the functioning of the system (users only use the data recording server).
Krzysztof Strzecha, is with the Computer Engineering Department, Technical University of Lodz, Poland. Research interests: Research and development, IT / Software Development, Engineering / Electronics / Technology. e-mail: [email protected].
Tomasz Koszmider ALIFIKACJE is with the Computer Engineering Department, Technical University of Lodz, Poland. Research interests: Design and development of software, integrated computer systems, use of algorithms for processing and analysis of images, in industrial and medical information systems, Web Application Development, Advanced Programming C / C + +, Win32 API; e-mail: [email protected].
Konrad Stepien is with InterData s.c., Lodz, Poland Research interests: Linux i Open Source,
Management, Computers / ProgrammingInternet / E-Commerce, e-mail: [email protected].
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