Mobility Snapshot in Laval: Innovation Through the Power of Existing Data

At Intervia, we believe that innovation in mobility doesn't rely solely on new technologies or cutting-edge sensors. Sometimes, the real treasures are already there, hidden within existing data. With this mindset, our engineers took on an ambitious challenge: to deliver a comprehensive mobility diagnosis for the City of Laval, without collecting any new data. A bold move, certainly, but above all, a demonstration of the power and precision that a strategic interpretation of existing data can offer.

Breathing new life into existing data

In today’s fragmented big data landscape, where information is often siloed or underused, our team leveraged data the client already had: traffic counts, collision records, land use surveys, and transit schedules. We also integrated open data sources, such as OpenStreetMap and public agency datasets. This rich pool of information enabled us to paint an accurate picture of mobility dynamics throughout the city.

A strategic reading of structuring networks

The challenge wasn’t just about inventorying data, it was about interpreting it strategically. Particular attention was given to the core networks for each mode of transportation (car, active transportation, public transit). Our engineers examined these networks from multiple perspectives: safety, alignment with urban planning, capacity to support multimodal transportation, congestion levels, and gaps that could hinder accessibility. And the analysis didn’t stop at infrastructure. For both public transit and active transportation, we also assessed how well existing facilities aligned with real-world demand on the ground.

A rigorous, reproducible, and sustainable method

This in-depth work enabled us to deliver a comprehensive, insightful, and nuanced diagnosis to the City of Laval. What initially seemed like a constraint, the absence of new data collection, ultimately became a strength. By tapping into the intelligence embedded in existing data, Intervia proved that it's entirely possible to produce rigorous, relevant, and context-specific analysis. This approach, developed in Laval, is not only reproducible and adaptable to other cities and municipalities, but also offers significant advantages in terms of cost and delivery time.

The promise of smarter, data-driven mobility

This project perfectly illustrates how our team blends technical expertise, strategic insight, and methodological creativity to deliver solutions that are efficient, sustainable, and innovative. By uncovering these "hidden treasures", we restore the full value of data, putting it to work for smarter and better-planned mobility.