Kapelle-op-den-Bos (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Kapelle-op-den-Bos has installed 5 digital counting frames to track traffic. Alderman Dirk Hermans (ProKA/Vooruit) says the data will guide road safety plans. Residents can volunteer to host devices.
As VRT News reported, the municipality of Kapelle-op-den-Bos, in the Flemish Brabant province of Belgium, has begun using 5 new digital counting frames to monitor local traffic. These small devices, also called digital abacuses, are placed behind windows and record what happens on the streets.
What is Kapelle-op-den-Bos doing to tackle traffic problems?
According to Dirk Hermans (ProKA / Vooruit), Alderman for Mobility, the purchase of the counting frames is an important step in improving traffic management.
“Many residents contact us with concerns about traffic in their streets,”
he said.
“We have some major roadworks in our municipality, and that always leads to extra congestion. That’s why we bought five of these devices.”
The municipality of Kapelle-op-den-Bos will soon begin using its new digital counting.
“We’re a small municipality, but we also have traffic problems,”
says the alderman.
“With the data, we can see where we need to intervene with speed restrictions or even redesign the roads. We meet every two weeks with the mobility unit to discuss the problems.”
The 1st devices are planned to start recording in early November 2025. These devices will count cars, trucks, cyclists, and pedestrians and will also record vehicle speeds. Residents can also take part in the project.
They mentioned that anyone interested can volunteer by offering a window on the first floor that faces the street. The window must have a clear view of the road without trees or other obstacles. A stable internet connection is needed so the device can send data continuously. The municipality says this cooperation will help gather more accurate information from different streets.
The initiative for the installation of digital counting frames in Kapelle-op-den-Bos began in early 2024, with the local authorities identifying ‘better ways’ to monitor traffic in the town. Residents had expressed concerns about speeding and congestion, particularly during large roadworks. After investigating an involved similar project in Mechelen and Londerzeel, the municipal council agreed to purchase the 5 devices in October 2025.
