Determination of Traffic Impact Level in Urban Cycling

Abstract

In recent years, the habit of cycling has been increasing. Particularly when active mobility is gaining prominence, there is a global emphasis on healthy living and natural sustainability. Although the current rate of bicycle use in Turkey is quite low, there is significant potential for cycling in metropolitan areas and districts. The concept of bikted (Traffic Impact Level in Bicycle Usage) has been developed to enhance bicycle usage in Turkey, address infrastructure deficiencies, and ensure more comfortable cycling. This method, which consists of parameters related to traffic infrastructure, environmental factors, and user behavior, was evaluated using eight parameters in corridors and five parameters at intersections. In corridors, assessments were made for separated bicycle paths, bicycle lanes, and roads without infrastructure; at intersections, evaluations were conducted for signalized intersections, modern roundabouts, and intersections with traffic markings. In corridors; slope, noise level, curbside parking, vertical marking, surface vibration amount, main road-side road intersection situations, speed limit and bicycle-vehicle gap distance were examined. In intersections; parking at the intersection, intersection visibility, intersection crossing distance, vertical marking presence and bicycle path presence were examined. Additionally, an experimental e-bicycle was developed to aid data collection for bikted. The scoring system in the model was designed using data obtained from field studies and previous literature. For the first time in a bicycle model study, noise intensity, gap distance measurement, slope and vibration were combined for corridor assessment. Slope accounts for approximately one-third of the scoring in corridor assessments for each infrastructure type, and corridors with high slopes cannot reach the \"comfortable use\" classification. The measurements may not be as reliable at intersections as the numerical data analysis conducted for corridors, but they still provide valuable insights for analyzing intersections. This study aims to contribute to the current state of bicycle corridors in Turkey’s traffic infrastructure and future bicycle infrastructure projects, thereby promoting increased bicycle use. Furthermore, bikted is expected to raise awareness among local governments when planning and implementing bicycle-related projects.