More than 2,000 thermal imaging cameras are to be installed on traffic lights and streetlamps in the city of Hamburg to collect anonymous, real time data to improve the control of traffic and long-term planning. The technology is expected to be operational by late 2020.

Motorised traffic will be counted at 420 intersections as part of the Automated Traffic Volume Recording project while thermal imaging cameras on 40 streetlamps will provide information on cycling for the Hamburg Bicycle Traffic Counting Network project. Both projects are part of the senate’s strategy for Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and are receiving up to 12.4 million euros from the German Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure’s Clean Air emergency programme.

The technology used only collects information about the number of vehicles by type and cannot collect personal data, such as a person’s face or their car registration plates. The data will be available to residents and urban authorities, as well as private companies.

Photo: Thermal imaging in Hamburg