Development and evaluation of infrastructure strategies for safer cycling.

PDFTech ReportCyclistsBicyclingBicycle safetyBicycle commutingTravel behaviorBicycle lanesStructural designUnited StatesSafety Research Using Simulation (SAFER-SIM) University Transportation CenterChristofa, EleniKnodler, Michael A.University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Dept. of Civil and Environmental EngineeringSafety Research Using Simulation (SAFER-SIM) University Transportation CenterUS Transportation CollectionIn recent years there has been an increasing number of recreational and bicyclecommuters in the United States. Although bicycle users still represent a very small modeshare, municipalities have been attempting to further encourage the health, economic,and environmental benefits of cycling by implementing new and innovative bicycleinfrastructure treatments. However, many of these treatments have only been recentlyimplemented in a few locations and are often constructed with little or no understandingof their effects on user behavior. Currently, there is a substantial amount of researchinvestigating bicyclist behavior, as well as operations and safety from the cyclists\ue2\u20ac\u2122perspective of such innovative treatments. However, there is little research conductedfrom the drivers\ue2\u20ac\u2122 perspective towards cyclists and bicycle infrastructure. Withapproximately 75 percent of all bicycle-vehicle crashes occurring at intersections, thereespecially is a need to investigate driver behavior at intersections with unfamiliar bicycletreatments. This project report provides an in-depth evaluation of driver behavior fromthe driver\ue2\u20ac\u2122s perspective when approaching new and unfamiliar bicycle infrastructureintersection treatments. It utilizes a driving simulator as well as participantquestionnaires to determine whether any patterns or causalities exist between bicycleinfrastructure treatments and driver behavior. The results of this study indicate that thereis a correlation between driver behavior and the level of familiarity with bicycleinfrastructure treatments as well as cycling experience. This in-depth study can helpinform design, education, or other countermeasures for safer operations