AN APP has launched to encourage Berkshire residents to take healthy actions to improve their wellbeing and the environment.
The Innovation Valley app, which is free to users, has been created through the Thames Valley Berkshire Live Lab.
As part of the national £22.9 million ADEPT Smart Place programme, it will assist authorities in enhancing air quality, public health, roads and energy infrastructure.
The project, led by Reading Borough Council, aims to make changes to travel across the county, thanks to a £4.95 million investment in technology trials.
Tony Page, Reading’s lead member for strategic environment, planning and transport, said: “This is a really exciting project, as collaborating with other local authorities to test a whole range of innovative technological initiatives could have a major impact on the services we are able to provide and our ability to keep traffic flowing as efficiently as possible in the future.
“By pooling our resources and sharing information, we are able to observe the future of traffic and transport today and make plans that will benefit residents across the whole county.”
Residents will be advised to log when they are taking positive, healthy actions including walking, running or cycling, to earn reward points.
Points earned can be used for discounts from a range of shopping brands.
Produced by Better Points, individuals will be able make better travel choices, thanks to the new app.
It would help improve the residents experience of travel around the county and improve highways management.
Four specialist cameras have been installed in waste collection vehicles, 30 air quality sensors have been put in some council buildings and energy management systems are in place to help councils move towards their environmental targets.
The range of trials are being run in conjunction with O2, Siemens, Smarter Grid Solutions, Stantec, Shoothill and the University of Reading.
“We are pleased to see this exciting development in the Thames Valley Live Lab, engaging local communities with the transport network to deliver improved outcomes for all,” Live Labs programme director Giles Perkins said.
“Understanding the impacts we all have upon our environment will become an imperative as we navigate climate change and we’re pleased to see Thames Valley embrace such thinking as part of the Live Lab.”
