Research & Innovation

We are the Pilot Experts for the Municipality of Chania, one of the seven Pilot Cities of the project, for one of its Visionary Solutions: “VS 2: Sensors on bikes and bike stations.” We have equipped the municipality’s shared bike fleet with mobile sensors and developed fixed sensors at bike stations and other critical points in the city.

Through this infrastructure, we measure and record environmental data related to microclimatic conditions, air quality (especially harmful particulate matter – PMx), and noise levels, aiming to:

• Identify areas and time periods with poor air quality and high noise levels
• Reduce specific pollutants
• Improve the health and well-being of citizens and visitors
• Reduce “environmental inequalities” by providing vulnerable social groups (cyclists, pedestrians, children, and the elderly) with information and protection from exposure to hazardous environmental conditions

The data feeds both the project’s Health & Well-being Platform and our pilot mobile application, “Healthy Routes,” available on the Google Play Store. Through this app, users can view maps of air quality and noise, plan healthier routes, and assess their impact depending on the mode of transport (walking, cycling, electric bike, public transport, car).

The vision of the VARCITIES project is to implement Nature-Based Solutions and establish sustainable models that enhance citizens’ health and well-being amid climate challenges and changing environmental conditions.

We are responsible for one of the four Living Lab Communities of the project, specifically the Greek Living Lab, which includes the cities of Chania and Igoumenitsa. Within the project, we test sensor solutions for road safety (air quality sensors, gyroscopes, and accelerometers) on shared bicycles as well as on delivery scooters.

SOTERIA is a Horizon Europe project that brings together 16 partners aiming for the systematic implementation of road safety solutions in complex urban environments, with a special focus on vulnerable population groups.

At an operational level, SOTERIA uncovers unexplored behavioral characteristics of Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) and activates Living Lab communities in social innovation activities, aiming at co-creating solutions for urban safety and infrastructure design.