FACTUAL is thrilled to announce the launch of the first CycleRAP project in the Middle East, leveraging the innovative software tool Lane Patrol. Factual is a mobility consultancy firm based in Barcelona and a trusted CycleRAP partner since 2022. CycleRAP, an initiative developed by the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP), is a specialised methodology designed to assess and improve cyclists’ safety and comfort. The primary objective of CycleRAP is to systematically evaluate cyclists’ risk factors and propose targeted interventions to mitigate these risks.

CycleRAP methodology gains momentum worldwide

FACTUAL has a proven track record of successful bicycle assessment projects in various cities worldwide, including Barcelona, Madrid, Montevideo, Copenhagen, Oxford, and Skopje. These projects have demonstrated the effectiveness of the CycleRAP methodology in improving road safety and reducing accidents in very different contexts at urban and interurban levels.

Lane Patrol and CycleRAP joined forces to enhance cycle safety

Lane Patrol, finalist at the IRF Startup Lebel 2023, is a tool from the FACTUAL ecosystem that assesses and improves the cycling infrastructure to prevent crashes.

The tool offers data-driven insights to identify potential hazards and improve cycling infrastructure, helping to reduce crashes and injuries. It helps policymakers, city planners, and mobility experts understand the state of existing and new infrastructure, prioritise and plan updates, and communicate results based on data-driven objective data.

When mounted on a bike, the Lane Patrol mobile app automatically captures georeferenced images of the cycling infrastructure. These are later synchronised with the web tool, which utilises vision models to assess safety with over 50 parameters, such as infrastructure width, protective barriers, and obstacles. Leveraging the CycleRAP methodology, Lane Patrol automatically defines the level of risk to categorise the different areas of the infrastructure.

Collaboration with Abu Dhabi Cycling Club

In this latest venture, FACTUAL is collaborating with the Abu Dhabi Cycling Club. This partnership marks a significant milestone, as it not only brings FACTUAL and the Lane Patrol tool to the Middle East but also paves the way for its expansion to other regions worldwide. The Abu Dhabi Cycling Club’s local expertise and commitment to promoting cycling align perfectly with FACTUAL’s mission to enhance cyclist safety.

This project represents a significant step forward in FACTUAL’s mission to improve road safety for cyclists globally. The insights gained from the Jebel Hafeet pilot will be invaluable in shaping future projects and expanding the use of the CycleRAP methodology.