Data-driven approach for assessing the impact of newly developed cycling infrastructure on cyclists' route choice

Abstract

Developing safe and efficient cycling networks is a vital part of creating more bike-friendly and, thus, more sustainable communities. To promote cycling effectively, continuously improving and expanding the cycling network is important. Yet, understanding and measuring the impact of newly developed cycling infrastructure is not always a straightforward task, which is often performed using limited-scope surveys or simulations. The present study aims to present a data-driven method for estimating the impact of recently developed links in the cycling network by utilizing public bicycle sharing (PBS) data. The case of Tartu, Estonia, is examined using PBS data from three consecutive years to measure pre-post change in the utilization of street segments with newly built cycling infrastructure. Bicycle-sharing trips that make use of one of these segments are extracted, and various metrics are calculated and compared. Additionally, novel metrics for measuring the impact of new developments in cycling network are presented. Specific examples of significant shifts in route choice are detected and visualized. The results indicate that the share of PBS trips that employ any of the newly improved street segments has increased compared to the pre-construction period. This study demonstrates how public bicycle sharing data can be effectively used to assess the impact of infrastructure on cyclists' route choice, and presents specific findings in the case of Tartu.