On June 9–10, ITL joined the REFOCUS project partners in Sint-Niklaas to explore first-hand how the city is strengthening its sustainable mobility planning policies through data-driven approaches.
To become more pedestrian-friendly, the city has introduced a differentiated parking pricing system, making it much cheaper on the outskirts. To support this strategy, the city is using a new dynamic guidance system which tracks occupancy in real time across major car parks through sensors and cameras. This allows drivers to be directed towards available spaces instead of circulating through residential areas, reducing unnecessary traffic while generating revenues to be reinvested in sustainable mobility.
For cycling, Sint-Niklaas relies on a combination of fixed induction loops and portable pneumatic tubes to monitor bicycle flows more precisely: the data revealed that some routes were experiencing volumes exceeding the capacity of standard two-way cycle lanes. As a result, the city approved the construction of a new six-metre-wide cycle highway designed to better connect neighbourhoods and accommodate demand.
Another innovative measure involves AI-based sensors installed even in residents’ windows to gather anonymised, multimodal traffic data covering pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles on local streets. The devices, which are cost-effective and designed with privacy in mind, confirmed residents’ concerns about traffic speeds and volumes, informing targeted interventions such as circulation loops and traffic calming measures which led to a 25% decrease in neighbourhood traffic.
The Flemish Environmental Agency (VMM) also presented its integrated climate adaptation strategy, supported by tools such as PLANtool and the Klimaatportaal. These platforms help visualise long-term risks and support the identification of practical solutions, such as large-scale depaving and the creation of infiltration areas.
Finally, Flemish public transport operator De Lijn outlined its roadmap for automated mobility, with large-scale pilot projects involving autonomous buses and roboshuttles expected by 2030. The discussion highlighted the challenges of transitioning from Level 3 to Level 4 automation without major infrastructure changes, as well as issues related to funding, driver shortages, and fleet management.
Following the presentations, participants joined an electric bike tour to experience Sint-Niklaas’s cycling corridors and renovated Grote Markt firsthand. The visit wrapped up with a discussion on next-generation SUMPs and site visits to observe innovative transport solutions.
