Utilizing Intelligent Portable Bicycle Lights to Assess Urban Bicycle Infrastructure Surfaces

Tufail Ahmed, Ali Pirdavani (), Davy Janssens and Geert Wets
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Tufail Ahmed: UHasselt, The Transportation Research Institute (IMOB), Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
Ali Pirdavani: UHasselt, The Transportation Research Institute (IMOB), Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
Davy Janssens: UHasselt, The Transportation Research Institute (IMOB), Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
Geert Wets: UHasselt, The Transportation Research Institute (IMOB), Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 5, 1-22

Abstract: Vibration from bicycle infrastructure affects the cyclists’ comfort and the choice of this transportation mode. This study uses smart portable bicycle lights to measure the vibration and quantify the level of cycling comfort on cycling infrastructure. A total of 28 bicycle streets and paths were selected in the city of Hasselt, Belgium, as the case study area. Six volunteer cyclists were recruited for the vibration sensitivity test of the device before the actual data collection. The results showed no considerable difference in the vibration recorded separately on each tested bicycle surface. The average vibration values vary from 1 to 17.78, indicating that riding comfort varies significantly across different surfaces. Asphalt and concrete roads had the lowest vibration and were the most comfortable in the study area. In contrast, cobblestone-paved bike paths were the least comfortable because of higher vibration. A comfort level map was developed based on the relationship between cycle vibration and subjective perception of comfort level. Twenty cyclists participated in the perception of vibration test. The comfort level is inversely correlated with the vibration. This methodology is adaptable to any other setting. Additionally, practitioners can use it to check and track the quality of the surface of the bicycle infrastructure over time.

Keywords: cycling comfort; infrastructure planning; surface pavement quality; cycling comfort mapping; cycle vibration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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