Citation

Opiela KS, Khasnabis S, Datta TK. Transp. Res. Rec. 1980; 743: 30-38.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1980, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A study of bicycle traffic at urban intersections was conducted to determine the characteristics representative of this mode. The study was undertaken to address information deficiencies recognized during efforts to develop a multimodal-intersection-simulation model. The study focused on the arrival patterns, approach speeds, and crossing gap-acceptance characteristics of bicycle traffic. Traffic data were collected from a number of intersection locations operating under multimodal demand, which included motor vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle modes. A video recording procedure was used to record and subsequently retrieve information relative to the various events of interest. Statistical analysis of the data was conducted to establish the characteristics of bicycle traffic arrivals, approach speeds, and crossing gap acceptance. The analysis of arrival data revealed that a negative exponential distribution represented a reasonable model for low-to-medium volumes of bicycles. Other arrival models were noted to be applicable in some cases, but the negative exponential was preferred because of its universality and simplicity. Approach speeds were noted to range from 3.4 to 39.6 km/h (2.1 to 24.6 mph), with the distribution of speeds corresponding to a normal curve. Analyses of bicycle speeds on different facilities and the impact of bicycle lane traffic on automobile speeds were performed. Last, an analysis of crossing gap acceptance revealed that the distribution of accepted gaps corresponds to a log normal function. The results of the study are presented and the applicability of the findings discussed. Recommendations are made for improving the procedures used and conducting further investigations.