PRACTICAL MONITORING OF CYCLING Mark Strong Transport Initiatives LLP Office 4 145 Islingword Road...

PRACTICAL MONITORING OF CYCLING

Mark StrongTransport Initiatives LLP

Transport Initiatives LLPOffice 4

145 Islingword RoadBrighton BN2 9SH

0845 345 7623www.transport-initiatives.com

Transport Practitioners’ Meeting 2006


Summary

Paper based on work by Transport Initiatives for Essex County Council reviewing locations for bicycle monitoring in five towns in the county

Brief review of cycle monitoring research and techniques

Use of manual and automatic methods including Automatic Cycle Counters (ACCs)

Process for establishing a good cycle monitoring programme

Examples of sites


Why monitor?

Trends – to detect changes and trends in cycle usage over time

Baseline – to establish a starting point for use in target setting and comparison with future surveys

Information – to provide details on the levels and characteristics of cycling

Scheme-related – to investigate the effect on cycling of new measures such as cycling schemes or changes in policy


Why monitor? And especially to measure progress

against LTP targets

But remember: monitoring is only a proxy for real levels of cycling since much cycling happens when or where there is no counting


Background

Cycle monitoring techniques differ widely between local authorities

Authorities must use existing research and best practice to set up a monitoring strategy

But most general guidance for traffic monitoring uses information based on research into motor vehicles flows

Key study in 1999 by TRL gives some guidance on monitoring D G Davies, P Emmerson & A Pedlar, Transport Research Laboratory (1999) “TRL 395 – Guidance on monitoring local cycle use”


Good monitoring requires large sample sizes and survey conditions to be controlled

These requirements have generally not been met for cycle monitoring in the UK: Manual surveys generally carried out without

controlled conditions (or even record of conditions)

Counts often in locations with very low cycle flows.

Most findings more valuable as a ‘snapshot’ of cycling than measurement of long-term trends


Implications of TRL research Number of “counting periods” depends on a

range of factors, especially estimated levels of cycle use

Sites with 100-250 cyclists/day require at least 15 periods to detect an annual change of 20% (i.e. 250% increase in cycling over 5 years)

e.g. Essex County Council LTP target is 160% - number of count periods required is approx: 30 for sites with >250 cyclists/day 50 for sites with 100-250 over 100 for sites with <100 cyclists/day.


No theoretical reason why this level of monitoring could not be carried out using manual surveys

But practical reasons of cost rule it out In practice statistically robust cycle

monitoring requires the use of ACCs to: give continuous data on cycle flows provide sufficient count periods to establish a

robust trend even allowing for errors or malfunctions


Guidance (or lack of it)

Little or no guidance on the number of counters required in an area to provide robust data

TRL study recommends that authorities should install “at least one, and preferably several” ACCs (but no definition of “several”)

No distinction between different sizes and types of authorities or areas

No guidance on how large authorities such as shire counties can determine trends in cycling in towns or other discrete areas


Local authority examples

Local Authority Approx. population

(2001 census)

Number of ACCs

Counters per million population

Nottingham City Council 267,000 15 56

Gloucestershire County Council 565,000 25 44

Lincolnshire County Council 647,000 26 40

Hampshire County Council 1,240,000 46 37

Portsmouth City Council 187,000 7 37

Oxfordshire County Council 605,000 20 33

Surrey County Council 1,059,00034

(LTP 28)32

(LTP 26)

Cambridgeshire County Council 550,000 14 25

Essex County Council 1,311,000 17 13


Monitoring techniques Automatic Cycle Counters (ACCs)

Accurate, robust, relatively cheap Problems:

Coincidence Failure to cross the counting device False positives No details about demographics of cyclists or nature

of journey

Manual monitoring Interviews Destination surveys


ACC methods

Inductive LoopMost

widespread method

But problems!


Types of ACC

Radar Infra-red Piezoelectric tube Video/CCTV


Suggested good practice Empirically-based model for good practice in

the provision of ACCs for settlements of different sizes

Range to allow for local variation, e.g. density of network or specific section of route

Ratios may seem high but should be balanced against other areas with little or no provision

Model not intended to be used to set the overall level of ACCs across whole county (made up of dispersed settlements of varying sizes) or large cities of >400,000


Suggested level of provision

Population of discrete

settlement

Suggested number of counters

Approx. counters per million population

< 25,0002 - 3

(statistically robust only where there is a high level of cycling)

120

25,000 - 50,000 3 – 4 110

50,000 - 100,000 4 – 6 80

100,000 - 150,000 6 – 9 65

150,000 - 200,000 8 – 12 60

200,000 - 250,000 11 – 15 59

250,000 - 300,000 14 – 17 57

300,000 - 400,000 17 – 20 55


Manual monitoring

Traditional method for monitoring cycling levels

As discussed, not appropriate for establishing long-term trends mainly due to the costs

However still has a number of functions: Calibration of ACCs More detailed information on a range of

characteristics e.g. gender or age Counts at short notice Counts at complex sites, including details of

turning movements


TRL recommendations for manual monitoring1. Count when flows are high/highest2. Count during good weather3. Count during BST, preferably between May and

October inclusive4. Where cycle journeys are primarily for utility,

count on weekdays and avoid public/school holidays

5. Where cycle journeys are primarily for leisure, weekends and holiday periods may be appropriate times to count

6. Comparison counts should be undertaken at the same time of year


Existing situation in Essex

2005 Essex Traffic Monitoring Report - 17 ACCs (plus 3 ACCs not used by Essex - district, Sustrans etc.)

Monitored for 2 weeks every quarter – only just statistically valid

Average daily cycle flows from 38 to 339 Plus manual counts on 3 yearly basis (9 – 250

cyclists) Month changed from Sept to Aug between

counts!


Study methodology

Desk assessment & site visits Factors for site choice:

Location on a cycle route Ability to differentiate cycle traffic from

motorised vehicle traffic Locations where relatively high cycle flows occur

or might be expected to occur in the future Points where cyclists are channelled in some way

and hence cannot avoid crossing the detection zone (or could be channelled e.g. ASL)

General comments on cycling also made


Prioritisation

Based on site visits and suggested number of ACCs in each town

Sites plotted on GIS Three levels of priority:

Priority 1 Core network of ACCs for LTP baseline Priority 2 Increased level of monitoring of

cycling, to be installed if funds permit Priority 3 Optional sites, to be used to determine

level of cycling on specific routes NB recommended sites located to pick up

main expected cycle flows hence not necessarily evenly distributed


Case study - Colchester Historic town in the east of Essex Population of around 156,000 Currently 5 ACCs 1 counter was not functional at the time of

inspection for at least a year due to construction works


Colchester

Existing sites


Colchester

15 potential new sites

Blue – proposed ACCGreen – other (manual

count)


ColchesterSite no. Priority

OS grid reference

Location

CO/03 existing 6017 2241 Either existing location or at Toucan crossing of A134

CO/06 1 5993 2263 Cycle lane, n. of Westway / North Station Road roundabout

CO/07 1 5999 2261 Cycle/pedestrian crossing of Cowdray Avenue

CO/08 2 5990 2257 Underpass crossing of Westway, e. of Sheepen Road

CO/09 1 5994 2257 Cycle lanes, North Bridge

CO/10 1 5997 2257 Crossing of River Colne n. of weir

CO/11 2 5994 2255 Bus/taxi/cycle lane, junction of North Hill / Northgate St

CO/12 2 5999 2251 Queen Street cycle lane

CO/13 3 5994 2266 Cycle track at Mile End Road / A134 Relief Road bus gate

CO/14 1 5993 2271 Cycle track in new development, east of Mile End Road

CO/15 2 6011 2271 Cycle track crossing of Spring Close, High Woods

CO/16 1 5985 2249 Lexden Road cycle lanes

CO/17 2 5980 2248 Cycle track crossing of Norman Way by school

CO/18 3 5984 2253 Path from Sussex Road

CO/19 1 6006 2253 Crossing of East Street (west of East Bridge)

CO/20 3 6020 2240 Wivenhoe Trail west of Essex University


Colchester - recommendations Recommended minimum of 11 ACCs in

Colchester i.e. an increase of 6 Non-functioning ACC on route to

Wivenhoe should be replaced Possible extra site on cycle track in the

residential development on former hospital site but MUST be in conjunction with improvements to track

Total number of new counters required would therefore be 7

Improved cycle parking at station and regular (monthly) monitoring


Strategic recommendations Frequency of monitoring a minimum of

two weeks in every month (giving 168 days’ counts each year), and ideally continuous

All sites to be visited regularly on a six-monthly basis

ACCs with very low, erratic or static patterns of usage should be visited as soon as possible


Strategic recommendations If ACC site is affected by development,

provision of a replacement must form part of planning conditions / S106 agreement

Minor sites on one-for-one basis Major sites should include sufficient ACCs to

monitor cycling levels as a result of the travel plan associated with development

All ACCs provided as part of development should be installed as early as possible, ideally before the commencement of works


Detailed recommendations 24 new counters Additional 4 counters replaced or

relocated New total of 41 counters across the county

as a whole (including the 4 sites not covered by this study)

New level of provision in Essex would lie in the centre of the range of good practice (32 counters / million population)

Approx capital cost £90,000


Detailed recommendations

BasildonMinimum of 6 ACCs (increase of 5)The existing ACC should be relocated and integrated into the Essex data collection process

BraintreeMinimum of 4 ACCs (increase of 3)The existing Flitch Way ACC should be integrated into the Essex data collection process

ChelmsfordMinimum of 11 ACCs (increase of 4)The counter on the APU campus should be relocated elsewhere on the site

ColchesterMinimum of 11 ACCs (increase of 7)The non-functioning ACC on the route to Wivenhoe should be replaced

Harlow Minimum of 5 ACCs (increase of 4)


Detailed recommendations All sites to use either inductive loops or

radar units with standard counting equipment

If inductive loops used these must extend the full width of the surface that might be used by cycles

Precise location of ACC site to be determined after discussions with the counter supplier or manufacturer


Detailed recommendations Regular programme of counting cycles

parked at stations and other key destinations should be introduced

Existing programme of manual surveys should be replaced by a more focused programme to support ACC network and provide detail on cycling journey characteristics

Roadside interviews of cyclists should be established in the five main towns to establish a baseline split for trip purposes


Examples of existing and proposed sites Basildon

Loop on cycle side only (by secondary school)



Eastern end of link to town centre from Westgate



Cycle track at hospital


Examples of existing and proposed sites Braintree

Install ASLs to channel cyclists


Examples of existing and proposed sites Chelmsford

ACC sited on path to left of new access road leading to low counts



ACC sited on closed path through University campus



Chelmer Park



Loop on one side of path only



ACC to be sited at railway bridge (route to University)



ACC to be sited on shared use path by Leisure Centre



Monthly manual surveys at station


Examples of existing and proposed sites Colchester

Two counters in Castle Park



Former location of ACC on Wivenhoe Trail (ringed)



North Bridge cycle lanes



Bus/taxi/cycle lane at edge of town centre


Examples of existing and proposed sites Harlow

ASDA underpass


Examples of existing and proposed sites Harlow

Priority crossing at entrance to hospital


Problems of success!

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