Plain Language Statement

Researcher Information

• Principal Investigators and Data Controllers:

  • Dr. Ihsan Ullah (ihsan.ullah@universityofgalway.ie)

  • Dr. Waqar Shahid Qureshi (waqarshahid.qureshi@universityofgalway.ie)

  • Data Protection Officer: dataprotection@universityofgalway.ie / Tel: (091) 524411

Thank you for your interest in this study. You are being invited to take part in a research study being carried out by Dr. Ihsan Ullah and Dr. Waqar Shahid from the School of Computer Science, University of Galway, Ireland. 

Before you decide whether you wish to take part or not, you should read the information provided below and, if you wish, discuss with (family, friends etc.). Take your time and ask questions – don’t feel rushed and don’t feel under pressure to make a quick decision. You should be clear about the risks and benefits of taking part in this study so that you can make a decision that’s right for you. This process is known as 'Informed Consent'.

What Happens If I Decide Not To Participate?

• You don’t have to take part in this study. Choosing not to take part will not have any consequences. You can also change your mind about participating at any time during the study.

• You can also change your mind about taking part in the study even after commencement, up until the project lifecycle. You don’t have to give a reason, and be assured that if you do opt out, there will be no consequences.

Voluntary Participation and The Opportunity to Withdraw Consent:

• Your participation is completely voluntary, and you are free to withdraw your consent at any point during the project lifetime. You have the right to request the deletion of all your data, unless it has already been included in analyses or published from the research. If you choose to withdraw from the study at any stage, all data collected from you will be permanently removed upon your request. For any questions regarding the research project, feel free to contact Dr. Ihsan Ullah or Dr. Waqar Shahid Qureshi.

The Challenge

• Cycle routes and greenways should meet satisfactory standards of width, gradient, and surface condition to provide a user-friendly and low-risk experience for all abilities.

• Pavement condition rating indices, such as the Pavement Surface Condition Index (PSCI), play a crucial role in assessing and rating the condition of pavements across Ireland, but manual surveys are time-consuming and tedious.

• The unique pavement characteristics of cycle routes and greenways, such as the Dublin-Galway Greenway, pose challenges for conventional data collection methods using Road Survey Profile (RSP) vehicles, leading to inaccuracies in pavement condition data.

• The lack of a smart system for data sensing and collection based on the quality criteria mentioned in the National Cycle Manual presents a challenge in Ireland, hindering informed and citizen-induced planning by local authorities.

• A reliable framework for data analysis and visualization is crucial to effectively address the maintenance and improvement of cycle and walking paths, supporting sustainable and active transport efforts at a broader European and international level.

The Solution

• Our solution develops an intelligent sensing system for data collection on cycle routes and greenways.

• We create reliable data analysis and visualization software for standard pavement condition ratings.

• Stakeholder engagement and collaboration drive the development of a new rating scale.

• Our cost-effective and privacy-preserving approach will improve maintenance decision-making for cycle and footpaths.

Challenge: OurTech Challenge
Challenge Type: Science Foundation Ireland National Challenge Fund

The Team:

• Team Lead: Dr. Ihsan Ullah, University of Galway

• Team Co-Lead: Dr. Waqar Shahid Qureshi, University of Galway

• Societal Impact Champion: Katleen Bell-Bonjean, Gort Cycle Trails

We need volunteers to help us record data on the Greenways to improve the quality and safety of these paths for all users. Your participation will provide valuable insights and information that will aid in the maintenance and enhancement of these routes, ensuring they meet the necessary standards and provide a user-friendly experience for everyone.

If you agree to take part, you will be involved in a series of data collection sessions, each lasting approximately 1-2 hours. The cumulative time commitment will depend on the number of sessions you participate in, but you can expect to contribute around 5-10 hours over a period of several weeks.

The data collection requires the volunteer to ride a bicycle having an action camera or smartphone mounted on the handlebar facing towards the pavement (road). Data being collected, including sensor data from action cameras and smartphones (pavement images/videos, bicycle GPS location, and motion sensor data). All collected data will be used solely for the purpose of assessing and improving the Greenways' conditions. Your contributions will help us develop a reliable framework for data analysis and visualization. However, if you wish you can withdraw anytime during the lifetime of project. Upon your request all the data collected by you will be deleted.

While there may be no direct benefits to you, your participation will contribute to:

• Influencing local and national policy regarding the maintenance and improvement of cycle routes and greenways.

• Shaping programs that address the specific needs and safety concerns of Greenway users.

• Supporting sustainable and active transport efforts at a broader European and international level.

All personal information will be anonymized to protect your privacy. Your name and email address will not be used for any research activity, whereas the age, gender, and location will be used indirectly to get statistics. Names and email addresses will be replaced with codes before the data is analyzed. The anonymized data will be analyzed to assess the condition of the Greenways, identify areas needing improvement, and develop recommendations for maintenance and enhancements. The processed and anonymized data will be used to create reports and visualizations that will inform local authorities and policymakers. This information will help shape future projects and policies to improve Greenway infrastructure. The data may also be shared in academic publications, presentations, or other public reports to contribute to broader research and knowledge in the field. 

All personal information will be anonymized before data analysis, ensuring your privacy by removing or replacing any identifying details with unique IDs. The collected data will be securely stored on servers with restricted access, available only to authorized team members and Principal Investigators (PIs). Additionally, data will be encrypted both in transit and at rest to safeguard it from unauthorized access or breaches. Team members/PIs handling the data will sign confidentiality agreements to underscore the importance of data privacy and security. The data will be retained only for 7 years, necessary for the project, after which it will be securely deleted or archived according to ethical guidelines and legal requirements.

If you intend to archive your data for future research, see Research Data Management at the University of Galway to help explain how the data will be used in the future.

• Dr. Ihsan Ullah, University of Galway
  (ihsan.ullah@universityofgalway.ie)

• Dr. Waqar Shahid Qureshi, University of Galway
  (waqar.shahid@universityofgalway.ie)

If you wish to contact a neutral third party, email ethics@universityofgalway.ie to communicate with the Coordinator or Chair of the University of Galway Research Ethics Committee.

For more details, please Download the Plain Language Statement from below :-