Bike Green – Accelerating bicycle traffic through intelligent traffic control (BiGreen)
The BiGreen project aims to safely and efficiently speed up bicycle traffic at intersections using innovative, multimodal traffic light systems. As part of this effort, the DLR will develop, simulate, and compare various traffic light systems to identify the best solution for real-world use. The researchers will test the most promising systems in real-world traffic conditions at a test intersection.
The bicycle is a low-emission, quiet, space-saving, and health-promoting mode of transportation. Promoting bicycle traffic is therefore a key factor in the transformation of our mobility system. Ease of use and safety for cyclists play a crucial role in this regard.
However, conflicts of interest between different modes of transportation often arise, particularly at traffic lights. To speed up bicycle traffic at intersections, the DLR is developing and validating new approaches for traffic light systems (detection, control, and forecasting methods, as well as information for road users) as part of the BiGreen project. A key requirement here is multimodality. This means that the developed system must take a holistic view of both the acceleration of bicycle traffic and the needs of other road users.
The goal of the project is to develop, simulate, and compare various traffic light systems designed to accelerate bicycle traffic, each with different characteristics in terms of the required system components. In addition, the project team will implement at least one of the developed traffic light systems at a test intersection and test it in real-world traffic conditions.
Project Scope:
- Identification and description of potential technologies for the key components of a traffic light system (data collection, control and forecasting methods, and traveler information)
- Definition of several traffic light system concepts
- Simulation-based evaluation and comparison of the traffic impact of various system variants
- Implementation, testing, and evaluation of at least one traffic light system variant in the laboratory and at a test intersection under real-world traffic conditions (demonstrator)
- Continuation as a permanent research demonstrator
- Evaluation of the traffic light system variants
- Development of recommendations for follow-up scientific activities and potential routine operation
The BiGreen research project (FE 88.0239/2025/AE02) is funded under the Innovation Program for Roads by the Federal Highway and Transport Research Institute on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Transport. The author bears sole responsibility for the content.
Project title:
Bike Green – Accelerating Bicycle Traffic Through Intelligent Traffic Control (BiGreen)
Duration:
11/2025 to 10/2028
This project is led by the department:
