Bicycle and Pedestrian Level-of-Service Performance Measures and Standards for Congestion Management Systems

Abstract

The Gainesville Mobility Plan Prototype was developed as the congestion management system plan for Gainesville, Florida, and incorporated level-of-service (LOS) performance measures for bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The LOS evaluations describe the degree of bicycle and pedestrian accommodation in a transportation corridor. The bicycle LOS measures are designated basic facility provided, conflicts, speed differential, motor vehicle LOS, maintenance, and provision of transportation demand management programs or intermodal links. Pedestrian LOS criteria are similar and incorporate specific pedestrian features. The Gainesville bicycle and pedestrian LOS performance measures use a point scale resulting in an LOS rating system of A through F. The scoring system was developed with sensitivity to characteristics that may be mutually exclusive or inclusive to determine all possible combinations of points. The methodology hypothesizes that there is a critical mass of variables that must be present to attract nonmotorized trips. The methodology is applicable for corridor evaluations on arterial and collector roadways in urban or suburban areas. The criteria include measures of programmatic and off-street projects such as rail-trails, bicycle parking, bikes-on-transit, employer-based programs, and so forth, in addition to traditional on-street facility improvements. By measuring such improvements recommendations for more diverse projects can be supported. This analysis was applied to several roadways with promising results that generally corresponded to user perceptions of the facilities. LOS evaluation was used as a tool of the congestion management system to develop project recommendations and priorities, but it may also be useful in concurrency and long-range transportation planning.