Research Project

Development of an Analytical Framework to Rank Pedestrian and Cyclist Projects

Develop a viable ranking methodology and measurement process that will give planners a resource to best allocate funds to be used for projects designed to improve the environment for pedestrians and cyclists

Principal Investigator
Sriraj, P.S.
Research Area(s)
Data Development
Mobility

Abstract

Project Manager: Nadereh Moini PhD, PE. Worsening traffic congestion and air pollution, rising road maintenance and construction costs, and escalating health risks from obesity to cardiovascular disease are among major motives triggering the attention of transportation authorities to walking and cycling. Increasing local demands to improve pedestrian/cyclist facilities place a burden on public authorities to balance limited resources with increasing demand. Fund scarcity is the major impediment to satisfy a high demand received from communities in all levels particularly from urban and suburban communities to improve cyclist and pedestrian facilities. To allocate funds to the most worthy and deserving projects, many standards, and procedures are followed by public agencies (nationally and globally) to prioritize projects for funding. To facilitate decision makers in prioritizing improvement projects, this study developed a ranking methodology and measurement technique to score each improvement project recommended to lessen the deficiencies of pedestrian/cyclist facility. This measurement promotes the most efficient use of available capital. To achieve this objective, the metrics must be: 1) quantifiable – to be measured and numerated, 2) accessible and obtainable – to be estimated using data typically compiled by most transport agencies, 3) applicable – to be deployed in the field seamlessly, and 4) meritorious – to be identified as critical factors by most agencies. Download the "Development of an Analytical Framework to Rank Pedestrian and Cyclist Projects" report.