A detailed analysis of how an urban trail system affects cyclists' travel

Transportation specialists, urban planners, and public health officials have been steadfast in encouraging active modes of transportation over the past decades. Conventional thinking, however, suggests that providing infrastructure for cycling and walking in the form of off-street trails is critical...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Transportation 2007-09, Vol.34 (5), p.611-624
Main Authors: KRIZEK, Kevin J, EL-GENEIDY, Ahmed, THOMPSON, Kristin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Bicycling
Buildings. Public works
Commuting
Cycling
Distance decay
Exact sciences and technology
General. Plotting
Ground, air and sea transportation, marine construction
Infrastructure
Land use
Minneapolis
Minnesota
Non-motorized transportation
Public health
Public infrastructure
Route choice
Studies
Sustainability
Trails
Transport
Transportation
Transportation infrastructure
Travel
U.S.A
Urban areas
Urban development
Urban planning
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Summary:Transportation specialists, urban planners, and public health officials have been steadfast in encouraging active modes of transportation over the past decades. Conventional thinking, however, suggests that providing infrastructure for cycling and walking in the form of off-street trails is critically important. An outstanding question in the literature is how one's travel is affected by the use of such facilities and specifically, the role of distance to the trail in using such facilities. This research describes a highly detailed analysis of use along an off-street facility in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. The core questions addressed in this investigation aim to understand relationships between: (1) the propensity of using the trail based on distance from the trip origin and destination, and (2) how far out of their way trail users travel for the benefit of using the trail and explanatory factors for doing so. The analysis demonstrates that a cogent distance decay pattern exists and that the decay function varies by trip purpose. Bicyclists travel, on average, 67% longer in order to include the trail facility on their route. The paper concludes by explaining how the distance decay and shortest path versus taken path analysis can aid in the planning and analysis of new trail systems.
ISSN:0049-4488
1572-9435
DOI:10.1007/s11116-007-9130-z