This presentation presents the results of a Florida Department of Transportation study to quantify how bicyclists perceive the level of accommodation (LOS) of shared use paths adjacent to roadways, sometimes called "sidepaths". The result of this effort was a user validated model that can be used to compare the level of accommodation perceived by cyclists on side paths as compared to on the roadway.

1. Theo Petritsch
Sprinkle Consulting
How do cyclists perceive sidepaths?
Introduction Video Ride for Science 2009 Creating the Model(s) people as a pathway two feet from the back of
Held at the Museum of Science and Industry curb. However, the plot appears to represent an
When analyzing a transportation system for (MOSI) in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, March Regression unrealistic comparison of the two facility types. It
bicyclist, how well the users perceive the 21, 2009. is not likely most people would be more
components of the system to work for them is an comfortable riding in the bike lane of a two lane
important measure of effectiveness. This poster Participants experienced a video simulation roadway with 10,000 vpd and a 55 mph speed
y
presents the res lts of a Florida Department of
results consisting of 22 segments. limit than on a pathway located 10 feet from the
Transportation study to quantify how bicyclists roadway. This suggests the two models cannot be
perceive the level of accommodation (LOS) of The event captured how well bicyclists used in their base forms to compare roadway to
shared use paths adjacent to roadways – perceive a shared use path adjacent to a sidepath facilities. It should be noted that a 5-foot
sometimes called sidepaths
sidepaths. roadway to meet their needs. minimum buffer from the roadway is the minimum
Level of Service Score
A ≤ 1.5 separation AASHTO recommends.
The result of this effort was a B > 1.5 and ≤ 2.5
user validated model that can C > 2.5 and ≤ 3.5
Identifying an Anchoring Adjustment
be used to compare the level D > 3.5 and ≤ 4.5
E > 4 5 and ≤ 5 5
4.5 d 5.5 A possible reason for the above is likely
of accommodation perceived F > 5.5
attributable to the participants anchoring their
by cyclists on sidepaths as
responses based upon the preponderance of
compared to on the roadway. Probit pathway facilities shown during the data collection
Note: Thi research did not address safety d
N This h dd f data event.
event To make the models comparative an
comparative,
(see earlier FDOT study). Nor did it make any anchoring adjustment factor would need to be
attempt to identify when a sidepath facility may applied to the sidepath model. By comparing the
or may not be appropriate. scores from the 2005 data collection event, which
looked exclusively at on street facilities, and the
y ,
Eighty
Ei ht participants attended th Vid Rid f
ti i t tt d d the Video Ride for
scores from this project’s data collection event, an
Science 2009.
Comparison of the two models adjustment could be estimated. The two data
Age, sex, years living in the metro area, and
collection events had five roadway segments in
miles ridden per week for various purposes were
What we did common. The average difference between the
collected
collected. Participants
recent data collection event and the 2005 data
Data Collection
collection event is 1.15, and thus this value was
There were three separate data collection tasks. used.
Collection of video responses from volunteer Female
47.5% Male
52.5%
participants. Vid was shot using methods
ti i t Video h t i th d
validated in previous Florida and NCHRP
research efforts. This
included using a moving
bike video platform as
shown at right.
Collection of geometric and operational data
associated with the facilities on the video. The authors would particularly like to thank Pavla
Data obtained from a video viewing data Ozkul, Linda Crider, and Michael Munroe.
collection event (Video Ride for Science 2009) Finally, we appreciate the support of the project
was used t obtain th user perceptions of
d to bt i the ti f managers at the Florida Department of
sidepaths collected for this research. Transportation and Wilbur-Smith for providing
Comparison to roadway LOS the opportunity to work on this important study.
As can be seen from lower chart in the column at
the left, there are some roadway volumes at
left
which the LOS for roadways is lower than the
LOS score for sidepaths. To some degree this is For more information contact –
expected. One could certainly understand how a Theo Petritsch, Sprinkle Consulting, Inc.
two lane roadway with 500 vpd and a 25 mph
y p p tap@sprinkleconsulting.com
speed limit could be as comfortable to some