CYCLISTS’ REAL PERCEPTION OF ROAD AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS: THE ESTIMATION OF BICYCLE LEVEL OF SERVICE MODEL

Abstract

Understanding how to perceive the risk of riding based on real perceptions of cyclists is crucially important for promoting cycling as a sustainable form of transport. Previous researcheshave mainly used video simulations to survey riders about their riding behaviours and to gauge their perceptions about safety and their comfort level.Thus, the objective of this study is to identify the factors that significantly affect the comfort perception of the cyclists and to create a new Bicycle Level of Service model for urban street segments based on real perceptions of cyclists. This is especially the case for urban street segments in cities carrying heterogeneous traffic and without distinct segments of bicycle paths. The present paper describes, various operational and physical factors along with user perception data sets were collected from 13 road segments in the city of Pristina. For the estimation of a mathematical model for the Bicycle Level of Service, a linear regression model was used. Regression analyses are used in order to explain a dependent variable based on the relationship between a set of independent variables. Each of the data sets were entered one at a time into the statistical analysis package SPSS and the regression model was modified throughout the process by inserting all possible variables, running the regression and then examining the t-statistic for each of the variables. The resulting BLOS model has shown a high reliability for its applications in the urban street segments and has reported a high correlation coefficient (R) of 0.758 andsmall statistical error. Incorporating outputs of the regression model, a predictive equation is presented that can identify under what level a segment is offering services for bicycle use. This paperwork can serve the planners when developing urban planning to consider the need for creating the infrastructure for cyclists and safety conditions for accommodating cyclists in the urban road network.