ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS TO ACCOMODATE BICYCLES: NEEDS AT THE STATE LEVEL - A CASE STUDY OF MASSACHUSETTS

Bicyclists need to be taken into consideration when planning, designing, constructing and reconstructing, or maintaining our transportation infrastructure. The bicycle circulation system primarily consists of existing roadways and off-road bicycle facilities. While roads and off-road facilities are both important for bicycle travel, roads are the key element because the road network exists, is extensive, and provides access to most destinations. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has begun to take the necessary steps in recognizing the existing roadway system as the key element in accommodating bicycle travel throughout the Commonwealth. Limited research indicates that bicyclists are more comfortable riding on a roadway that has sufficient lateral space to minimize interaction with motor vehicles, and lower motor vehicle speed. The same is true for trucks and other heavy vehicles, such as buses, which take up more lateral space and may crowd a bicyclist on a roadway more than a standard passenger vehicle. Other factors including pavement condition, the number of curb cuts for driveways, intersections, and parking turnover may also affect bicycle travel on a roadway. A methodology to evaluate some of the primary factors affecting bicycle travel on roadways has been developed as part of the Massachusetts Statewide Bicycle Transportation Plan. The methodology described in this paper can be incorporated into current transportation planning activities to give an initial indication of where roadway improvements to better accomodate bicycle travel are most applicable.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Full conference proceedings available only on CD.
• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)

  Washington, DC  United States 
• Authors:
  • O'Neill, S J
  • Smith, P
• Conference:
  • Institute of Transportation Engineers 67th annual Meeting
  • Location: Boston, MA
  • Date: 1997-8-3 to 1997-8-7
• Publication Date: 1997

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: n.p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bicycle travel; Bikeways; Highways; Improvements; Networks; Planning methods; Roads; Transportation planning
• Uncontrolled Terms: Road networks
• Geographic Terms: Massachusetts
• Subject Areas: Highways; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Planning and Forecasting; Terminals and Facilities; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00751575
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 15 1998 12:00AM