Brief description

Impact Measurement & Sensor Technology in the Obermünster District (WiSe OMV)

The City of Regensburg plans to undertake a comprehensive redesign of the Obermünster District starting in 2028, transforming it into a green, accessible, and livable urban space. Initial temporary measures have been in place since 2025. The accompanying “WiSe OMV” project focuses on establishing a sensor network: Starting in 2026, various sensors will be installed, interconnected, and linked to a shared data platform. This will enable movement, environmental, and noise data to be automatically collected, consolidated, and processed in a manner tailored to specific target groups. The goal is to create areliable data foundation that complies with data protection regulations. This will reveal the actual impact of the temporary measures on the neighborhood and identify insights that can inform future urban development.

Project partners

OMV Winter Semester Application Project

Goals & Vision

  • Testing sensor technologies in the historic downtown area under real-world conditions
  • Implementation in compliance with data protection regulations based on the “Privacy by Design” principle
  • Establishment of a unified data interface for integrating various sensors into the Mobility Data Hub
  • Use of European technologies to strengthen digital sovereignty
  • Development of a scalable, energy-efficient sensor infrastructure
  • Contribution to data-driven and evidence-based urban development

Scope & Implementation

  • Establishment and operation of a sensor network to collect mobility, environmental, and noise data in the Obermünsterviertel
  • Pilot operation with energy-autonomous sensors at four locations in the Obermünsterviertel
  • Consolidation of various metrics into a comprehensive overview of the neighborhood
  • Data collection, processing, and target-group-specific visualization in the Mobility Data Hub in compliance with data protection regulations
  • Provision of data for administration, research, and other innovative applications
  • Practical experience with the installation and operation of sensor technology in public spaces
  • Derivation of requirements for a citywide IoT concept and a standardized IoT infrastructure
  • Promotion of acceptance through transparent, data protection-compliant applications


What is being measured?

The study examines how immediate measures and the gradual redesign of the neighborhood affect mobility flows in public spaces, particularly with regard to duration of stay, visitor frequency, and typical routes. Additionally, changes in noise levels and acoustic events are analyzed. Another focus is on environmental data, particularly air quality, for example in connection with traffic calming or greening measures. Additionally, the study examines the influence of events as well as weather- and environment-related factors on the use of public space and air quality.

Strategische Partnerschaft Sensorik e.V. is responsible for the technical implementation, and the Cluster Mobility & Logistics is responsible for project coordination, stakeholder management, and communication. The client is the City of Regensburg.

Project duration: September 2025 – December 2026

Project R_Lab Mobility - Real-world laboratory for urban mobility

The Impact Measurement & Sensor Technology in the Obermünsterviertel (WiSe OMV) project is an applied research project within R_Lab Mobility, the real-world laboratory for urban mobility of the R_NEXT smart city project.

Relevance for Urban Development & Smart Cities

The project contributes to the strategic goals of the Regensburg Plan 2040—particularly in the areas of mobility and the digital and smart city:

  • Mobility: Insights into pedestrian and traffic flows.
  • Digital City: Use of real-time data for smart urban development.
  • Sustainability: Testing and evaluation of measures by the Lab of Creative Minds in the Obermünsterviertel district for a greener and more sustainable city center.

 

Outlook & Further Development

Following the pilot phase, it will be possible to further develop and apply the insights gained to other urban areas and pilot sites. In addition, following a successful initial test phase, the plan is to switch the data transmission from the sensor technology to the alternative communication technology mioty. In the future, additional sensor technology as well as expanded analysis and visualization functions can be tested. The results will also be incorporated into the City of Regensburg’s IoT concept for the establishment of a citywide IoT infrastructure, which will serve as the foundation for future sensor-based applications.

 

Further Links

Contact person

Uwe Pfeil
Clustermanager
Tel. +49 941 604889 55
uwe.pfeiltechbase.de