Modeling the effects of removing motorized vehicle lanes to create space for bicycle facilities: a case study of MLK Drive, Philadelphia, PA
Date
2011
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Nationally, the last decade has seen sharp increases in bicycle ridership. Streets in our cities are trying to provide safe paths for cyclists, while continuing to accommodate motor vehicles. Bicycle networks are being expanded to roadways that currently do not have facilities with a goal of connecting areas that experience high levels of ridership. Transportation agencies constantly face the challenges of accommodating all system users, bicyclists, pedestrians, transit, freight, personal vehicles, etc, with limited and sometimes, shrinking financial resources. So often the question of "what is the safest facility that could be provided to cyclists, which minimizes the impact to private autos at the lowest cost" arises. The research presented in this thesis provides a methodology that can be used by transportation agencies when considering the feasibility of placing bicycle facilities on high volume arterial roadways. A case study based on Martin Luther King Drive in Philadelphia, PA is presented which includes a comparison of several alternative scenarios based upon the results of a microscopic traffic simulation. The challenge was to provide the safest and cheapest option to accommodate all system users. The methodology utilized could be applied to any urban center facing the challenges of accommodating ever increasing numbers of cyclists.