Graduate Research and Discovery Symposium (GRADS)

Advisor

Stephen Sperry

Document Type

Poster

Department

Architecture

Publication Date

Spring 2013

Abstract

Current bicycle models assume average speed along the route and among routes and travel time is proportional to distance. There is no method that determines realistic cycling time based on change in speed due to topography. Our research proposes a model for the development of bicycle infrastructure based on reducing travel time and level of difficulty. We identified that topography, human power, and riding speed have strong relationship and we developed bicycle travel time model where speed is a function of human power and topography. We solved the shortest route problem with time impedance where time was computed based on (1) power model and (2) constant speed assumption. We compared the route locations for two scenarios and proposed a location of bicycle ways based on power model quickest routes locations. There is no significant difference in location with very short routes (about 1 mile) or in areas with insignificant uphill slopes. However, in the areas with steep slopes power model allows to predict more realistic travel time based on decreased speed due to topography. Consolidation of all routes into one map has shown that there are some segments of the road network that are more suitable for bicycling than others.

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