Abstract
This paper presents a proposed methodology for the identification of bicycle route networks in urban areas, in which undesirable traffic conditions perceived by bicyclists are minimized. A mathematic model based on a minimum-path search algorithm is proposed to identify routes with best bicycle level of service (BLOS). Dixon's (1996)Dixon, L. B. (1996). Bicycle and Pedestrian Level of Service Performance Measures and Standards for Congestion Management Systems. Transportation Research Record 1538, 1-9. Method is defined for BLOS evaluation, to which a gradient evaluation step was included through a comparative analysis of five bikeway gradient criteria (FHWA, 1979FHWA - Federal Highway Administration (1979). A bikeway criteria digest: The ABCD's of bikeways (Publication No. FHWA-TS-77-201).; AASHTO, 1999AASHTO (1999). Guide for the development of bicycle facilities. United States of America: AASHTO, Washington.; Road Directorate, 2000Road Directorate (2000).Collection of Cycle Concepts 2000. Copenhagen: Road Directorate.; GEIPOT, 2001aGEIPOT (2001a). Manual de Planejamento Cicloviário. Brasília: Empresa Brasileira de Transportes e Trânsito.; Austroads, 2011Austroads (2011). Austroads Guide to Road Design – Part 6A: Pedestrian and Bicycle Paths. Sydney: Austroads Ltd.). The proposed model was applied in Montes Claros, MG, to identify a bicycle route network that connects five trip generation poles. In this study, the most suitable bicycle routes were obtained through the study of the urban road network defined by FHWA's gradient criteria, although a little variation on the perceived BLOS of the routes has been observed when evaluated by FHWA, AASHTO and Austroads' gradient criteria. It is also noticed that the model's gradient comparative evaluation step in the model allowed the identification of routes similar to the used ones by bicyclists in that municipality.
Key words:
bicycle transportation; bicycle routes; bicycle level of service; gradient criteria; shortest path
