Quantifying the role of disturbances and speeds on separated bicycle facilities

Silvia Bernardi

University of Bologna

Kevin J. Krizek

University of Colorado

Federico Rupi

University of Bologna

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5198/jtlu.2015.715

Keywords: Transport, Land Use


Abstract

As cities aim to spur cycling, a key issue revolves around the location and quality of separated bicycle facilities. However, sometimes owing to impedances, these facilities fail to have the desired overall utility for cyclists. This study focuses on the role of non-stationary disturbances, i.e., the presence of users of other modes. The aim is to quantify the effects and frequencies of disturbances on off-street bicycle facilities (from other cyclists and pedestrians) and compare them to disturbances (from motorized vehicles) while cycling in mixed traffic. Using three segments in Bologna, Italy, we measured the frequency, type, and speed reduction attributed to different types of disturbances. We analyzed speed and likelihood of events to calculate a weighted average of the cyclists’ speed for separated bicycling facilities and on the roadway. For two of the segments, weighted speed reductions were minimal. However, in a third segment—one with considerably more disturbances—speed reductions were considerable: 20 percent for the separated facility and 40 percent for the mixed traffic. When married with cycling use patterns along the facilities, the notable speed reductions point to a possible trade-off cyclists make in choosing between different routes. The results help quantify relationships between cyclists and non-stationary disturbances; they also caution transport officials about possible unintended outcomes for separated bicycle facilities.

Author Biographies

Silvia Bernardi, University of Bologna

PhD student, Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering

Kevin J. Krizek, University of Colorado

Professor, Department of Planning and Design

Federico Rupi, University of Bologna

Associate Professor, Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering

References

AASHTO, Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Washington DC.

Abraham J., McMillan S., Brownlee A., Hunt J.D., (2002), Investigation of cycling sensitivities, Paper presented at the 81st Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC.

Allen D. P., Rouphail N. M., Hummer J. E., Milazzo J. S., (1998), Operational Analysis of Uninterrupted Bicycle Facilities, 77th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board.

Aultman-Hall L., Hall F., Baetz B., (1997), Analysis of bicycle commuter routes using geographical information systems: Implications for bicycle planning, Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, N.1578, TRB, pp.102-110.

Botma H., (1995), Method to Determine Level of Service for Bicycle Paths and Pedestrian-Bicycle Paths, Transportation Research Record 1502, pp. 38–44.

Broach J., Dill J.,Gliebe J., (2012), Where do cyclists ride? A route choice model developed with revealed preference GPS data, Transportation Research, Part A, vol. 46, pp. 1730-1740.

CROW (2007), Design Manual For Bicycle Traffic, National Information and Technology Platform for Infrastructure, Traffic, Transport and Public Space, The Netherlands.

Decreto Legislativo 30 aprile 1992, n. 285, Nuovo Codice della Strada.

Decreto Ministeriale 30 novembre 1999, n. 557, Regolamento recante norme per la definizione delle caratteristiche tecniche delle piste ciclabili.

Green J. S., Hummer J. E., Rouphail N. M., (2003), Using the Number of Passing and Meeting Events to Design Pedestrian and Bicycle Shared-Use Paths, “2nd Urban Street Symposium: Uptown, downtown, or small town: designing urban streets that work”, Transportation Research Board.

Highway Capacity Manual, Chapter 23, Off-street pedestrian and bicycle facilities, Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C. 2010.

Hood J., Sall E., Charlton B., (2011), A GPS-based bicycle route choice model for San Francisco, California, Transportation Letters: The International Journal of Transportation Research, vol.3, pp. 63-75.

Kiyota M., Vandebona U., Katafuchi N., Inoue S., (2000), Bicycle and pedestrian traffic conflicts on shared pavements. 14th Velo-city International Conference, Munich.

Krizek K.J., Roland R.W., (2005), What is at the end of the road? Understanding Discontinuities of On-street Bicycle Lane in Urban Settings, Transportation Research Part D vol. 10, pp. 55 – 68.

Lusk A.C., Furth P.G., Morency P., Miranda-Moreno L.F., Willet W.C., Dennerlein J.T. , (2011), Risk of Injury for Bicycling on Cycle Tracks versus in the Street , Injury Prevention, Vol. 17, Issue 2.

Menghini G., Carrasco N., Schüssler N., Axhausen K.W., (2010), Route choice of cyclists in Zurich, Transportation Research, Part A, vol. 44, pp. 754-765.

NACTO, (2012), Urban Bikeway Design Guide, National Association of City Transportation Officials, Washington DC.

Phillips R. O., Bjørnskau T., Hagman R., Sagberg F., (2011), Reduction in car–bicycle conflict at a road–cycle path intersection: Evidence of road user adaptation?, Transportation Research Part F, vol. 14, pp. 87 – 95.

Schepers, J.P., Kroeze P.A., Sweers W., Wüst J.C., (2011), Road Factors and Bicycle – Motor Vehicle Crashes at Unsignalized Intersection, Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 42, pp. 853 – 861.

Sener I., Eluru N., Bhat C., (2009), An analysis of bicycle route choice preferences in Texas, US, Transportation, Vol. 36 (5), pp. 511-539.

Sorton A., Walsh T., (1994), Stress Level as a Tool To Evaluate Urban and Suburban Bicycle Compatibility, Transportation Research Record 1438, Washington D.C.

Stinson M.A., Bhat C.R., (2003), An Analysis of Commuter Bicyclist Route Choice Using a Stated Preference Survey, Transportation Research Record 1829, pp. 107-115.

Strauss J., Miranda-Moreno L.F., (2013), Spatial modelling of bicycle activity at signalized intersections, The Journal of Transport and Land Use, vol.6(2), pp. 47-58.

Tilahun N., Levinson D.M., Krizek, J.K., (2007), Trails, Lanes, or Traffic: The Value of Different Bicycle Facilities Using an Adaptive Stated Preference Survey. Transportation Research, Part A, vol. 41, pp.287-301.

Virkler M., Balasubramanian R.,(1998), Flow Characteristics on Shared Hiking-Biking-Jogging Trails, 77th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C.

Wilkinson W., Clarke A., Epperson B., Knoblauch R., (1994), The effects of bicycle accommodations on bicycle/motor vehicle safety and traffic operations, National Technical Information Service, Great Falls, VA.