External link: http://docs.trb.org/prp/15-2174.pdf

Publication date: December 1, 2015

Capsule summary: This paper investigates the different planning methods of bicycle routes to determine how to best develop new routes to cater to the needs and restrictions in small cities.

Author(s): Robinson, Tonjanika; Kidando, Emmanuel; Chimba, Deo

Publisher(s): Transportation Research Board

Definition: The maintenance and advancement of traffic operation systems
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Definition: Planning practices for pedestrians, bikes and transit
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Definitions: The movement of people
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Definitions: Transportation by bicycle
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Definition: A federally funded transportation policy-making organization, comprised of local government representatives and transportation authorities
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Definition: A large urban area
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Definition: Article from an academic or professional journal
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Description: Mass use of bicycles is beneficial for energy efficiency, traffic control, and healthy lifestyle in a community. With varying sizes of cities come other varying aspects of traffic, room for development in their infrastructure, etc. These differing characteristics demand different methods of expansion in creating bicycle routes. In order to make the route efficient, the paper explores the different methods, needs presented, and effects of the route development in that city. The paper includes a study following the development in one specific city, with an analysis of the data used to determine which style of a route would be most fit for the community. The paper uses two specific methods of analysis which is frequently used in metropolitan areas for transportation development- the Bicycle Level of Service (BLOS) and the Latent Demand Score (LDS). The compilation of such analysis allows there to be better suited investments and developments in infrastructure for future projects in small cities.

Objectives: The objective of this paper is to compile different methodologies of planning bike routes in small cities and analyzing the differences to evaluate effectiveness of planning on pollution control and increasing healthy lifestyle for community members. The paper highlights the differences between a small city and an urban area to ensure that the planning caters to the needs and circumstances presented in small cities.

Findings: Using a combination of the two methods of analysis, the BLOS and the LDS the paper was able to synthesize appropriate models of bicycle route development in small city areas. BLOS and LDS are utilized for urban areas where there is access to a lot of data from past projects and due to the sheer population and traffic density to gather data from. So the paper concludes that both methods of analysis are not enough on their own to create appropriate development plans for small cities that have very different characteristics from their urban counterparts. But a mix of both methods covers the needs of small cities.

Recommendations: The paper recommends more factors to be taken into account when determining type of development- for example pedestrian traffic as well as approximating and exploring issues and factors that may arise in future development planning.

Research Theme: Planning for Pedestrians, Bikes, and Transit, Traffic Operations

Community Type: City, Small City

Transportation Mode: Bicycle, Personal

Planning Scope:

Organization Type: City, MPO or RPO

Planning Subject: Evaluation and Assessment, Facility or Land Use, Forecasting, Performance Management, Planning Methods, Sustainable Transportation, Transportation Planning