Abstract Manager

This cycling trip assignment is a procedure developed in Emme which considers facility type, grades, and travel times when selecting cycling routes. The motivation behind this is to be able to model cycling trips by incorporating the preference of cycling routes in Vancouver, and to determine the usage of all the cycling routes in Vancouver. Ultimately, being able to estimate the expected usage of new facilities being built.

Three main sources of information were found to be very useful – Estimating Bicycling and Walking for Planning and Project Development (NCHRP Report 770), Route Preferences Among Adults in the Near Market for Bicycling: Findings of the Cycling in Cities Study (UBC Dr. Meghan Winters, Dr. Kay Teschke), and PTV VISUM Bike Assignment webinar.

Based on our research, three of the most important variables on cycling route selection are facility type, grades, and turn. The most important factor is the facility type factor. Preference on four facility types were translated to impedance or disutility. Grades, specifically elevation gains, along each route were translated to impedance or disutility. Every turn made along each route were also translated to impedance or disutility. From every origin to every destination, the total impedances along each route are compared. The route with the lowest impedance or least discomfort would be the route most cyclists are going to take. By assigning the peak hour cycling trips onto the cycling network, we can get a clear understanding of the number of cyclists on each route, segment by segment.

The presentation will include an overview of the research, data collection, model validation, model application, and challenges.