Bicycle Level of Service: Validations and Extensions

Keywords: transportation, level of service, participant survey, GIS
Abstract Type: Paper Abstract

Abstract

Bicycle level of service (BLOS) offers transportation planners a mathematical measurement for evaluating roadway infrastructure. Over the last several decades, there have been many formulations used to calculate BLOS; this research aims to improve upon these models. This necessitates the development of a useful roadway dataset, replication of existing models, and the scrutinization of additional model parameters, such as urban density and hillslope. In past studies, it was common for the researcher to select roads for which data attributes were known in advance – in this work, the sample of roads were provided by participating bicyclists familiar with the local study area; participants also discussed their perception of each roads’ level of service, enabling validation of various BLOS models. Finally, an improved BLOS model was fitted to a comprehensive regional road network dataset (including over 40,000 individual links). The results clarify that, while there is yet much work to do, a BLOS model can provide a useful tool for identifying areas of the road network needing improvement for bicyclists. Closer evaluation of the model results and the roads themselves, along with participant commentary, suggest a broader need to reevaluate the use of space along American roadways, the high-speed design of these roads, as well as the protections and consideration afforded to vulnerable road users, such as bicyclists.