Sustainable Built Environments Senior Capstone Project / The city of Tucson is well known for its cycling culture and year-round moderate climate. It is a ‘Gold’ level cycling community according to the League of American Bicyclists. Less known about Tucson is that it can be a dangerous place to ride a bicycle. In an attempt to improve overall cyclist safety, the idea of implementing protected bike infrastructure is explored. With a focus on using protected bike lanes to create a low-stress network for bike movement, this project creates a rubric, and calibrates it against case-studies in New York City, Chicago, and Washington D.C., to analyze the potential streets in Tucson possess to host protected bike lanes.

Cities today typically have goals for sustainability and accessibility, with improving cycling accessibility being one of the most emphasized objectives. Cities can achieve their goals by having a well-built infrastructure for cycling. This study focuses on the cycling infrastructure in Stockholm city and conducts an analysis based on the city's various accessibility objectives. The purpose of the study is to examine if the city has a high accessibility through bike lanes, also, how far cyclists can travel on the existing cycling infrastructure and which areas in the city have the best accessibility via bike paths. To perform the analysis, bike path data is imported into the ArcMap program. Various functions of the program are used to analyze both the efficiency of cyclists in reaching their destinations and whether it is possible for cyclists to reach their desired destinations. The results show that Stockholm city has a well-functioning cycling infrastructure, allowing cyclists to travel in different directions and to various locations, even over longer distances. The analysis also reveals that areas with primary schools have a higher coverage of bike lanes, indicating that areas including services generally have better accessibility through bike lanes.

Neste trabalho são investigadas as razões da maior utilização do sistema cicloviário na cidade de Rio Claro em relação à Araraquara e São Carlos, e descobrir os principais motivos da baixa demanda de usuários nas ciclovias e ciclofaixas das cidades de Araraquara e São Carlos. Esse objetivo visa compreender também o porquê da utilização ou não do espaço destinado ao tráfego de bicicletas. Tal objetivo auxilia na obtenção de informações que possam ajudar no planejamento e no projeto da implantação de ciclovias e ciclofaixas nas cidades brasileiras. Também é realizada uma avaliação individual dos segmentos cicloviários (ciclovias e ciclofaixas) existentes nas três cidades objeto do estudo e uma avaliação geral do sistema cicloviário das mesmas, mediante, sobretudo, a comparação de dados quantitativos. O uso muito maior do modal bicicleta em Rio Claro deve-se aos seguintes principais fatores: preponderância de vias com baixa declividade na maior parte da área urbana, qualidade insatisfatória do transporte coletivo nas últimas décadas, renda média inferior da população e maior influência da cultura europeia (alemã e italiana) na colonização da cidade- países que têm grande tradição no uso da bicicleta. Os principais fatores inibidores do uso do modal bicicleta em São Carlos são: topografia acidentada (em grande parte da área urbana as vias tem rampas acentuadas), maior nível de desenvolvimento socioeconômico e falta de tradição/cultura do uso da bicicleta. Em Araraquara, são: boa qualidade do transporte coletivo nas últimas décadas, maior nível de desenvolvimento socioeconômico e falta de tradição/cultura do uso da bicicleta. São ainda discutidos os seguintes pontos relevantes: tipos de segmentos cicloviários x visão da população, impacto da bicicleta na fluidez do trânsito e segurança no uso da bicicleta. / This research investigates the reasons for the increased use of cycling system in the city of Rio Claro in relation to Araraquara and São Carlos, and discover the main reasons for the low demand of users in bicycle tracks and lanes of the cities of Araraquara and São Carlos. This goal also aims to understand why the use or not of the installation to bicycle traffic. This goal is important to obtain information that may help in the planning and implementation of bicycle paths and lanes project in Brazilian cities. An individual evaluation of existing cycling segments (bike paths and lanes) in the three cities subject of the study and an overall assessment of cycling system of them, highlighting the comparison of quantitative data performed. The far greater use of the bicycle modal in Rio Claro is due to the following main factors: preponderance of routes with low slope in most of the urban area, poor quality of public transport in recent decades, lower average incomes and greater influence of culture European (German and Italian) in the colonization of the city- countries that have great tradition in bicycle use. The main factors inhibiting the use of bicycle modal in São Carlos are: topography (largely urban area routes have steep ramps), higher level of socioeconomic development and lack of tradition/culture of cycling. In Araraquara, are: better quality of public transport in recent decades, higher socioeconomic level of development and lack of tradition/culture of cycling. Are still discussed the following relevant points: types of cycling segments x populations point of view, impact of bicycles in traffic flow and safety on bicycle use.

Neste trabalho são investigadas as razões da maior utilização do sistema cicloviário na cidade de Rio Claro em relação à Araraquara e São Carlos, e descobrir os principais motivos da baixa demanda de usuários nas ciclovias e ciclofaixas das cidades de Araraquara e São Carlos. Esse objetivo visa compreender também o porquê da utilização ou não do espaço destinado ao tráfego de bicicletas. Tal objetivo auxilia na obtenção de informações que possam ajudar no planejamento e no projeto da implantação de ciclovias e ciclofaixas nas cidades brasileiras. Também é realizada uma avaliação individual dos segmentos cicloviários (ciclovias e ciclofaixas) existentes nas três cidades objeto do estudo e uma avaliação geral do sistema cicloviário das mesmas, mediante, sobretudo, a comparação de dados quantitativos. O uso muito maior do modal bicicleta em Rio Claro deve-se aos seguintes principais fatores: preponderância de vias com baixa declividade na maior parte da área urbana, qualidade insatisfatória do transporte coletivo nas últimas décadas, renda média inferior da população e maior influência da cultura europeia (alemã e italiana) na colonização da cidade- países que têm grande tradição no uso da bicicleta. Os principais fatores inibidores do uso do modal bicicleta em São Carlos são: topografia acidentada (em grande parte da área urbana as vias tem rampas acentuadas), maior nível de desenvolvimento socioeconômico e falta de tradição/cultura do uso da bicicleta. Em Araraquara, são: boa qualidade do transporte coletivo nas últimas décadas, maior nível de desenvolvimento socioeconômico e falta de tradição/cultura do uso da bicicleta. São ainda discutidos os seguintes pontos relevantes: tipos de segmentos cicloviários x visão da população, impacto da bicicleta na fluidez do trânsito e segurança no uso da bicicleta. / This research investigates the reasons for the increased use of cycling system in the city of Rio Claro in relation to Araraquara and São Carlos, and discover the main reasons for the low demand of users in bicycle tracks and lanes of the cities of Araraquara and São Carlos. This goal also aims to understand why the use or not of the installation to bicycle traffic. This goal is important to obtain information that may help in the planning and implementation of bicycle paths and lanes project in Brazilian cities. An individual evaluation of existing cycling segments (bike paths and lanes) in the three cities subject of the study and an overall assessment of cycling system of them, highlighting the comparison of quantitative data performed. The far greater use of the bicycle modal in Rio Claro is due to the following main factors: preponderance of routes with low slope in most of the urban area, poor quality of public transport in recent decades, lower average incomes and greater influence of culture European (German and Italian) in the colonization of the city- countries that have great tradition in bicycle use. The main factors inhibiting the use of bicycle modal in São Carlos are: topography (largely urban area routes have steep ramps), higher level of socioeconomic development and lack of tradition/culture of cycling. In Araraquara, are: better quality of public transport in recent decades, higher socioeconomic level of development and lack of tradition/culture of cycling. Are still discussed the following relevant points: types of cycling segments x populations point of view, impact of bicycles in traffic flow and safety on bicycle use.

Less than 1% of work and school trips are completed by bicycle in the United States. Comprehensive bicycle facilities improve bicycle ridership by including a diverse set of strategies that accommodate the bicycle mode and seek to minimize the Level of Traffic Stress experienced by riders. Traffic Signal Operational Strategies for Bicycles (TSOSB) are an integral component of comprehensive bicycle facilities. This research presents a methodology to identify critical zones for implementation of TSOSB. After identifying critical zones a process for assessment of gaps in bicycle safety and comfort and convenience for signalized intersections within the critical zones is conducted. The outcome of the methodology is a prioritized list of signalized intersection that could benefit from the application of Traffic Signal Operational Strategies for Bicycles

The 711-acre Mueller development is located just three miles northeast of downtown on the former site of the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport. Planned as one of Austin’s major transit-oriented New Urbanist developments, Mueller contains a pattern of pedestrian and bike friendly streets to encourage a range of transportation options for residents and visitors. Mueller is 30% complete and provides housing and jobs to over 3000 residents and 3000 employees. This MDS seeks to understand how current residents, employees, and visitors use the bike lanes, sidewalks, and roads in the Mueller community. To evaluate the transportation infrastructure, the author designed and coded a custom Google Maps survey that asked residents to draw common routes, points of interest, and points of concern related to their transportation choices. The results of this study then influenced a future urban design of the undeveloped portion of Mueller. / text

Syftet är att studera hur det planeras för cykel i staden och hur cyklande kan bli ett merattraktivt alternativ för stadens invånare. Detta gjordes med fokus på Karlstad, men ocksågenom lärdomar från andra exempel. Studien uppnådde sitt syfte med hjälp av de tvåfrågeställningarna Hur planeras det för ökat cyklande i Karlstad kommun idag? samt Vilkenpotential finns att öka andelen cyklande i kommunen?Som verktyg för att besvara frågeställningarna används de fyra teoretiska begreppen hållbarmobilitet, jämställd planering, trygghet samt radikala lösningar. Studien har en kvalitativmetod i form av semistrukturerade intervjuer. Intervjuerna sker med sju invånare i Karlstadskommun där kravet för att intervjuas är att äga en cykel och använda den allt från någon gångper år till flera gånger i veckan, samt med tre tjänstepersoner på Karlstads kommun.Resultatet visar att de tillfrågade invånarna har en blandad uppfattning omcykelmöjligheterna i Karlstad. Vissa anser att det duger som det är, men om de får önskafinns ändå förbättringspotential, andra anser att de behöver bättre förutsättningar för att väljacykeln i större utsträckning än de gör i nuläget.Slutsatsen visar på att det idag planeras för attraktiva cykelbanor genom att ha trygghet iåtanke. Det görs främst i samband med ombyggnation eller nybyggnation av områden. För attbidra till ökat cyklande har de stort fokus på snöröjningen under vinterhalvåret. Slutsatsenvisar även att Karlstad kan öka cyklandet genom förbättrad cykelinfrastruktur och mermarkeringar och skyltar. Cyklandet kan även öka med hjälp av vissa radikala lösningar somuppvärmda cykelbanor, skyddade cykelbanor och cykelhiss.

The aim of this study was to investigate different standards of bidirectional bike lanes and investigate if they provide enough space for the needs of cyclists. A method was developed for evaluating cyclists’ behaviour using the theory of risk homeostasis and two risk-factors; speed and sideways position. An experimental design was also constructed and the results from the subsequent experiment implies that the two chosen risk markers could be useful in future studies relating to the design of bicycle infrastructure. A significant difference in the positioning of cyclists was found on different bike lane widths. The risk markers for sideways position show significant results at bidirectional bike lane widths below 2.4 meters. At such widths, cyclists seem to actively position themselves closer to the curb in the presence of oncoming cyclists. This is interpreted as a risk compensation which indicates that cyclists are not completely comfortable on that standard of bike lane. A conclusion would be to view bidirectional bike lanes at 2.4 meters width on flat surfaces, with adequate safety-zones beside the bike lanes, as a good standard for regular cyclists in many situations. More widening is not believed to provide major additional experienced safety or passability until the width allow for safe overtaking in the presence of oncoming cyclists. / Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka olika standarder av cykelbanor och se om de tillgodoser cyklisternas utrymmesbehov. En metod utvecklades för att utvärdera cyklisters beteende på olika standarder av dubbelriktade cykelbanor med hjälp av riskhomeostasteorin och två riskmarkörer; sidledsposition och hastighet. En experimentdesign utvecklades och experimentet genomfördes. Resultaten tyder på att metoden fungerar och kan vara till nytta i framtida studier gällande cyklisters behov, relaterat till designen av cykelinfrastruktur. Resultaten visar att cyklisterna placerar sig längre från kanten på cykelbanan ju bredare den är. En statistiskt signifikant skillnad i sidledsposition uppmättes också vid möten av andra cyklister när bredden på cykelbanan sjönk till under 2,4 meter. Vid dessa bredder placerade sig cyklisterna aktivt närmare kanten vid möten. Resultatet tolkas som en form av riskkompensation och indikerar att cyklisterna inte är helt trygga på cykelbanor av den bredden. Slutsatsen blir att vi kan betrakta 2,4 meter breda, dubbelriktade cykelbanor på horisontella ytor med tillräckliga säkerhetsavstånd till hinder vid sidan av cykelbanan som en god standard för många förhållanden. Ytterligare breddning tordes inte ge några större upplevda säkerhets- eller framkomlighetsfördelar förrän bredden tillåter säkra omkörningar även vid möten.

This thesis comprises two studies that investigated bike infrastructure safety in North America. The first study conducted a corridor-level analysis to quantify the safety of different bike infrastructure types and assess the influence of corridor-specific characteristics on their performance. Using a Poisson-lognormal Full Bayesian model, the study analyzed fatal and injury bike-vehicle collisions on over 7800 corridors in Toronto, Canada. The findings revealed that bike infrastructure effectively reduces bike collisions, with cycle tracks demonstrating superior safety benefits due to the physical separation of cyclists from vehicular traffic. Cycle tracks were found to be particularly effective on long corridors with fewer intersections as bike-vehicle interactions along the corridor are minimized. Signed routes were safe on low-volume and low-speed roads, while bike lanes are more suited for a short section of high-volume corridors with a high intersection density. The second study assessed the safety of parking-protected bike lanes (PPBL), a new concept that is rapidly growing in North America. Utilizing data from nineteen street sections in Vancouver and Ottawa, the study developed a Full Bayesian Before-and-after model to evaluate the safety impacts of converting traditional painted bike lanes to PPBLs. The results indicated a significant reduction of 31.2% in total collisions after PPBL implementation. However, the effects of PPBLs on cyclist safety were found to be sensitive to factors such as bike path opening density, intersection density, and intersection treatments. In roads where proper intersection treatments and minimal protection of PPBL openings can be provided, painted bike lanes can be converted into PPBLs, and significant safety benefits can be expected. The findings of this thesis offer practical guidance for city planners and policymakers regarding the safety implications of different bike infrastructure types and the most appropriate conditions to implement them, which supports bike safety enhancement initiatives and attracts more people to bike. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc) / This thesis presents two studies that offer valuable insights to improve bike safety. The first study examined the safety of various bike infrastructure types along with the impact of corridor characteristics on their performance. The findings emphasized the effectiveness of cycle tracks in reducing collisions on long corridors with fewer intersections. Signed routes were found to be effective on low-volume and low-speed roads, while bike lanes were ideal on short sections of high-volume roads with a high intersection density. The second study assessed the impacts of new designed concept, known as the parking-protected bike lanes (PPBLs). The study showed that converting painted bike lanes to PPBLs significantly reduced total collisions. However, proper treatment of intersection and bikeway openings is crucial for enhancing cyclist safety and reducing multi-vehicle rear-end collisions. Where proper intersection treatment and minimal protection of bikeway openings can be provided, bike lanes can be safely converted into PPBLs.

This thesis acts as one of the first studies that analyzes the safety effects of Edge Lane Roads (ELR) for all road users. This is important since ELRs can be a solution to many issues, such as alleviating congestion, increasing multimodality along roadways, and reducing maintenance costs. ELRs in both North America and Australia were observed. Starting with the North American ELRs, the following study designs were employed to estimate the safety of ELRs: (a) yoked comparison where each ELR installation was matched with at least two comparable 2-lane roads to serve as comparison sites and (b) an Empirical Bayes (EB) before/after analysis for ELR sites where requisite data on AADT and other relevant characteristics were available. Crash data was collected and compiled into four different groups: ELR before implementation, ELR after implementation, comparison site before ELR implementation, and comparison site after ELR comparison. The yoked comparison showed 9 of the 13 sites that had lower crash counts compared to their respective comparison sites. The EB analysis showed all 11 ELRs that were observed demonstrated a reduction in crashes. Moving to the Australian ELRs, the following study designs were employed: (c) analysis of general crash counts/trends, and (d) reverse EB analysis. The analysis of general crash counts and trends showed that each of the Australian ELRs exhibited very low amounts of crashes for 5 years, which further shows how safe these facilities are. Moving forward to the reverse EB analysis, 5 of the 8 ELR sites demonstrated a reduction in crashes. Overall, the results were generally favorable and indicated that ELRs provided a safer experience for cyclists, drivers, and pedestrians. More analysis is recommended as more data becomes available on these ELRs. Examples of this include using pedestrian and bicycle data to better understand the safety effects VRUs experience on North American facilities or gathering enough crash data to conduct 3-year reverse EB analyses for ELRs that were expanded to 2-lane roads. Hence, a recommendation can be made to implement a few experimental ELRs in rural locations throughout the State of California to help it meet its SB-1 objectives.