Digital Green Wave trial underway for cyclists in Heusenstamm

In the heart of Hessen, a pilot project is underway to revolutionise cycling in the small town of Heusenstamm. Known as the "Green Wave via App", this innovative initiative aims to reduce waiting times and make cycling more comfortable for residents and visitors alike.

The test field for this project covers three key intersections: Heusenstammer Straße/Im Birkengrund, Ringstraße/Hohebergstraße, and Isenburger Straße/Berliner Straße, starting from January 2026. The project has a showcase character for Hesse as a land area, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable and efficient mobility solutions.

At the core of the Green Wave via App is the use of the app trafficpilot for automatic registration at traffic lights. This virtual registration system works similarly to the button on the pole, but with the added benefit of being earlier and automatic. This feature is part of a priority request system, allowing traffic lights to give cyclists a green light earlier or longer if traffic conditions allow.

The potential benefits of this system extend beyond cyclists. Applications could include accelerating public local transport and prioritized approaches for emergency services like police, fire, and rescue. However, the impact on other road users, such as public transportation and emergency services, is not specified in the current test project.

The goal of the Green Wave via App is to reduce waiting times and make cycling more comfortable. Preliminary results suggest that acceptance of waiting times is increased, and the number of red-light violations is reduced with the new method. However, the effectiveness of the system in reducing waiting times and improving cycling comfort is not yet fully discussed.

The long-term success of the Green Wave via App in everyday life is uncertain. Plans include expanding the system to accelerate public transport and give priority rights to authorities and emergency services. Measures such as updating evaluation procedures to improve bus and train service speed, reducing stop times, alongside infrastructure enhancements like electrification and digitalization for better efficiency and priority management, are all part of these plans.

However, the expansion of this method to other areas is not specified in the current project. There was significant interest in the technology's possibilities during a press event in Heusenstamm, but no details about the expansion of this method to other areas are provided.

The preferential treatment of individual road users could potentially impact the overall traffic flow. The potential benefits for other road users are also noteworthy, making the Green Wave via App a potential solution for improving traffic flow and mobility in Heusenstamm and beyond. As the project progresses, further insights and results are expected to shed light on the true potential of this innovative approach.