Reducing disruption from openings of the Botlekbrug and Spijkenisserbrug in Rotterdam using data

Together with NGinfra partners, we investigated whether data could help optimise the operation of the Botlekbrug and Spijkenisserbrug. We hope to minimise the impact of bridge openings on all modes of transport: shipping, freight trains and road traffic.

Our first proof of concept (PoC) showed that this is possible and could also reduce CO2 emissions. We demonstrated that we can simulate the impact of a bridge opening on congestion. Our model shows that an average opening during the evening rush hour causes more than 100 vehicle-hours lost (VVU) and over 1 tonne of CO2 emissions due to congestion. Moving the June bridge openings that occur during the evening rush hour to outside peak hours would save around 4,500 vehicle-hours lost and 24 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

In the longer term, we want to develop an integrated traffic management system to support the bridge operator. Using this data, the system would display the optimal time to open the bridge, minimising the overall impact of the opening.