Shared speed for safe transportation and sustainable cities - A study from a cyclist perspective on how traffic design can promote shared speed and the acceptance of mixed traffic
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Program
Infrastructure and environmental engineering (MPIEE), MSc
Publicerad
2020
Författare
Jörgensen, Pontus
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
This study has aimed towards evaluating the speed difference between transport modes and
investigating what can be done to approach shared speed and reach a sustainable transport
system. The research has been conducted through literature studies with the support of a
questionnaire and interviews to complement the literature. The purpose of the questionnaire
was to understand what design elements in the urban streetscape would help establish shared
speed and mixed traffic cycling as well as find out the acceptance of mixed traffic cycling.
The questionnaire was distributed to two sample groups, one with traffic engineers and the
other with dedicated civilian cyclists. The questionnaire consisted of 20 questions where the
respondents were asked about their cycling characteristics, their willingness for mixed traffic
cycling, and to compare drawings of design elements in urban streetscapes. The results of
the questionnaire show that there is a willingness for mixed traffic cycling, and particularly
among faster cyclists. Slower cyclists have a lower acceptance yet are not totally against it.
The design elements that would give the best possible conditions for shared speed and mixed
traffic cycling was found to be road marking bicycle symbols, a Cars are guests sign, lane
width, pavement and central divider. There are existing and up-and-coming speed-reducing
methods that can help establish shared speed. Also, mixed traffic solutions such as bicycle
streets and 2 − 1-roads are being tested in Sweden and could be functional on urban streets.
Concluding the findings, the study reveals that there is already plenty of knowledge about
creating a functional and attractive bicycle infrastructure. To reclaim the lost human perspective,
planning should strive for accessibility and mobility for pedestrians and cyclists. A
prerequisite for increased accessibility is to improve safety, which likely is improved with mixed
traffic cycling. Further, the safety can be improved by increasing the share of active travelers
which has great potential in Gothenburg. By using the efficient motor traffic infrastructure
and invite cyclists into the roadway, it will also state that cyclists have equal rights to the
street. In urban areas, cyclists share speed with motor vehicles and not pedestrians. Consequently,
the distribution of space in urban streetscapes should be reallocated based on speed.
However, cyclists are a very heterogeneous group, and therefore, the bicycle infrastructure
must provide solutions that are attractive for all types of users. Traffic regulations need to be
adapted for mixed traffic cycling and in general to suit cyclists better. Conclusively, shared
speed can secure sustainable development by distributing more space to the active transport
modes, whereas that would benefit efficiency, air quality, noise, and public health, as well as
creating attractive and sustainable cities.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
Shared speed , geofencing , urban planning , design elements , mixed traffic , cycling