Bicycle Transportation at UMassBicycle Transportation at UMass

Matt BrewsterMatt Brewster

Dave MillerDave Miller

IntroductionIntroduction

• ObjectiveObjective

• Observations of the As-Is NetworkObservations of the As-Is Network

• Research FindingsResearch Findings

• Current ProblemsCurrent Problems

• Recommended SolutionsRecommended Solutions

• Costs of ImprovementCosts of Improvement

• ConclusionConclusion

Objective:Objective:Increase Bicycle CommutingIncrease Bicycle Commuting

• Shorter commute time on bike than drivingShorter commute time on bike than driving Considering: Considering: Warming up your car, traffic Warming up your car, traffic

lights, pedestrians, parking, paying, walking to lights, pedestrians, parking, paying, walking to class…class…

• Health BenefitsHealth Benefits• Less PollutionsLess Pollutions• Don’t pay for gas or parkingDon’t pay for gas or parking• Closer parking spotCloser parking spot• Quicker on-campus movementQuicker on-campus movement

Observations:Observations:Volume of TrafficVolume of Traffic

2004 to 2006 statistics:2004 to 2006 statistics: Source: Sareo Transportation SurveysSource: Sareo Transportation Surveys

• 2004 2004 – 62.3% live within 5 miles of 62.3% live within 5 miles of

campuscampus– 41.2% own a bike41.2% own a bike– 86.7% own a car86.7% own a car

• 20052005– 67.9% live within 5 miles67.9% live within 5 miles

• 2006 2006 – 71.8% live within 5 miles of 71.8% live within 5 miles of

campuscampus– 31.5% own a bike31.5% own a bike– 77.5% own a car77.5% own a car

SunderlandSunderland

Hampshire CollegeHampshire College

PelhamPelham

0102030405060708090

Live w/in5 miles

0wn Bike Own Car

2004

2005

2006

Note: 5 miles is a 20 minute to ½ hour Note: 5 miles is a 20 minute to ½ hour bike commute for the average bike commute for the average person.person.

Observations:Observations:The as-is condition and hypothesisThe as-is condition and hypothesis

• Campus enrollment has risen:Campus enrollment has risen:2004: 22,498.2 2004: 22,498.2 (full-time equivalent)(full-time equivalent)

2006: 23,410.72006: 23,410.7• 1000 person increase1000 person increase• Likely to be many more in the futureLikely to be many more in the future

• Off-campus students live closer Off-campus students live closer to campusto campus

• Bike commuting is downBike commuting is down• Hypothesis: The condition of the Hypothesis: The condition of the

network paths is the primary network paths is the primary user cost. user cost.

Observations:Observations:What Paths are there NowWhat Paths are there Now

To CampusTo CampusNorth Pleasant*North Pleasant*Eastman LaneEastman LaneTriangle StreetTriangle StreetLincoln StreetLincoln StreetUMass Bike WayUMass Bike WayNorth Hadley RdNorth Hadley Rd

On CampusOn CampusWalking paths!Walking paths!

The condition of The condition of these paths is so these paths is so poor that they are poor that they are resulting in a very resulting in a very high user cost…high user cost…

Problems:Problems:To-Campus Path ConditionsTo-Campus Path Conditions

To-Campus Path OptionsTo-Campus Path OptionsNorth Hadley RdNorth Hadley Rd

UMass BikewayUMass Bikeway

Lincoln StreetLincoln Street

To-Campus Path OptionsTo-Campus Path OptionsTriangle StreetTriangle Street

Eastman LaneEastman Lane

North Pleasant StreetNorth Pleasant Street

Problems:Problems:N. Pleasant is best among PathsN. Pleasant is best among Paths

• Among all path options Among all path options North Pleasant is the bestNorth Pleasant is the best– To campus, the bike lane is To campus, the bike lane is

the cleanest and least the cleanest and least damaged, but it is still not damaged, but it is still not greatgreat

– On campus the road is On campus the road is damaged and vehicle damaged and vehicle interference is high.interference is high.

VIDEO: VIDEO: “The Typical Commute”“The Typical Commute”

Problems:Problems:On-Campus Paths = SidewalksOn-Campus Paths = Sidewalks

Campus PerimeterCampus Perimeter::Bicycle traffic flows on the Bicycle traffic flows on the sidewalkssidewalks

Campus CoreCampus Core::Bicycle traffic flows on the walking Bicycle traffic flows on the walking pathspaths

This condition is This condition is frustratingfrustrating and and dangerousdangerous for both pedestrians and for both pedestrians and bicyclesbicycles

- No organized flow- No organized flow - No designated paths to separate - No designated paths to separate

bikes and pedestriansbikes and pedestrians - Interference with each others - Interference with each others

movementsmovements - Path intersections are congested - Path intersections are congested

and dangerousand dangerous

Another Video: Another Video: “Bikes on Sidewalks”“Bikes on Sidewalks”

Problems:Problems:On-Campus Path MessOn-Campus Path Mess

• New buildings New buildings – Limited physical spaceLimited physical space– Vehicle congestionVehicle congestion

• Limited ParkingLimited Parking

– Disrupt travel pathsDisrupt travel paths

• Add-hoc addition of paths Add-hoc addition of paths created by users and created by users and campus plannerscampus planners– Braess’ Paradox likely to Braess’ Paradox likely to

occur as paths are added occur as paths are added and intersect in suboptimal and intersect in suboptimal manner manner

RecommendationsRecommendations:

1.1. ImproveImprove the condition of the to-campus the condition of the to-campus pathspaths

2.2. EducateEducate about the benefits of bicycle about the benefits of bicycle commuting and etiquettecommuting and etiquette

3.3. Address user costs to Address user costs to reduce objectionsreduce objections to commutingto commuting

4.4. Miscellaneous secondary improvementsMiscellaneous secondary improvements

Recommendations:Recommendations:Path ConditionsPath Conditions

• Repair the roadsRepair the roads• Add adequate bike lanesAdd adequate bike lanes

– Clearly marked and wideClearly marked and wide

• Add signage to signal bikers Add signage to signal bikers where correct paths arewhere correct paths are– Around and within campus coreAround and within campus core

STOPSTOP

Bike PathBike Path

Bikes stop Bikes stop on Greenon Green

Bike Bike

PathPath

Recommendations:Recommendations:Educate the Commuter PopulationEducate the Commuter Population

• UMass Parking Services: UMass Parking Services: Bicycle Bicycle Commuter ProgramCommuter Program– Exists but not utilizedExists but not utilized

• PVTA “Rack & Roll”PVTA “Rack & Roll”• Student orientation meetings:Student orientation meetings:

– Encourage Bicycle CommutingEncourage Bicycle Commuting– Bike Riding Rules & EtiquetteBike Riding Rules & Etiquette

• Campus “Bicycle Commuter Day”Campus “Bicycle Commuter Day”– Involve the police, bike Co-Op, UMass Involve the police, bike Co-Op, UMass

Bike TeamBike Team

• Partner with the Bike Co-opPartner with the Bike Co-op– There is on-campus service for There is on-campus service for

repairs and flat fixesrepairs and flat fixes

Recommendations:Recommendations:Educate to overcome perceived costsEducate to overcome perceived costs

• Cost: Bad weatherCost: Bad weather– Solution1: Its okay to be a fair weather commuterSolution1: Its okay to be a fair weather commuter– Solution2: Weather appropriate clothes and equipment are Solution2: Weather appropriate clothes and equipment are

available at local bike shopsavailable at local bike shops• Cost: DaylightCost: Daylight

– Solution1: Lights and reflectors are cheap and easy to put onSolution1: Lights and reflectors are cheap and easy to put on– Solution2: Multi-modal commute: e.g. bike in then “rack & roll” Solution2: Multi-modal commute: e.g. bike in then “rack & roll”

homehome• Cost: Long Distance CommutesCost: Long Distance Commutes

– Solution1: Multi-modal commutingSolution1: Multi-modal commuting• Satellite parking areas provided by UMass that are close enough to Satellite parking areas provided by UMass that are close enough to

bikebike• Take the bus for a distance then ride your bikeTake the bus for a distance then ride your bike

• Cost: Don’t want to ride and work in the same clothesCost: Don’t want to ride and work in the same clothes– Solution1: May not really get all that sweatySolution1: May not really get all that sweaty– Solution2: Leave clothes at work, enough for a week or a couple Solution2: Leave clothes at work, enough for a week or a couple

daysdays– Solution3: There are lockers and showers on campus to refresh Solution3: There are lockers and showers on campus to refresh

and changeand change

• ““Yellow Bike”Yellow Bike”– Take abandoned bikes and make Take abandoned bikes and make

them campus bikesthem campus bikes• Create Official Satellite ParkingCreate Official Satellite Parking

– Near enough to campus to bike Near enough to campus to bike but for people driving from a but for people driving from a distancedistance

• Logical link additionsLogical link additions– Separated Paths on campusSeparated Paths on campus– Added routes into campus Added routes into campus

• Covered bike parkingCovered bike parking• Clearing snow from racks and Clearing snow from racks and

from pathsfrom paths

Recommendations:Recommendations:Secondary ImprovementsSecondary Improvements

Recommendations:Recommendations:System Costs vs BenefitsSystem Costs vs Benefits

• These infrastructure changes will cost the school:These infrastructure changes will cost the school:– Adding signs and path markers Adding signs and path markers – Community educationCommunity education– Maintaining roadsMaintaining roads

• But the benefits include:But the benefits include:– Increased overall health of students and facultyIncreased overall health of students and faculty

• Healthy people are happier and more productiveHealthy people are happier and more productive

– Reduced vehicle congestionReduced vehicle congestion• Less pollutionLess pollution

– Increased safety for the commuting populationIncreased safety for the commuting population

Conclusion:Conclusion:

Problem:Problem: The current bicycle commuting network The current bicycle commuting network is in extremely poor shapeis in extremely poor shape

Result:Result: The number of bicycle commuters is The number of bicycle commuters is decreasingdecreasing

Solution:Solution: The first thing to do is make repairs to The first thing to do is make repairs to the network and educate the communitythe network and educate the community– It would be impossible to overcome other inhibitions if It would be impossible to overcome other inhibitions if

safety is not addressedsafety is not addressed

Justification:Justification: The return on the investment The return on the investment (health, pollution, etc.) is worth the expense(health, pollution, etc.) is worth the expense

Thank you.Thank you.

Questions?Questions?

References:References:www.msnbc.msn.com. Accessed on December 14, 2006.www.msnbc.msn.com. Accessed on December 14, 2006.

Kolek, Ethan. Project Pulse, F04 Transportation Survey. Sareo.Kolek, Ethan. Project Pulse, F04 Transportation Survey. Sareo.

Kolek, Ethan. Project Pulse, F05 Transportation Survey. Sareo.Kolek, Ethan. Project Pulse, F05 Transportation Survey. Sareo.

Kolek, Ethan. Project Pulse, F06 Transportation Survey. Sareo.Kolek, Ethan. Project Pulse, F06 Transportation Survey. Sareo.

Office of Institutional Research, University of Massachusetts Amherst.Office of Institutional Research, University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Instructional Service Matrix, Full-time Equivalent Instructed Students.Instructional Service Matrix, Full-time Equivalent Instructed Students.

Fall Semester 2004Fall Semester 2004

Office of Institutional Research, University of Massachusetts Amherst.Office of Institutional Research, University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Instructional Service Matrix, Full-time Equivalent Instructed Students.Instructional Service Matrix, Full-time Equivalent Instructed Students.

Fall Semester 2006Fall Semester 2006

How to Have a Successful Bike Commute Week. Pioneer Valley PlanningHow to Have a Successful Bike Commute Week. Pioneer Valley Planning

Commission. June 2001.Commission. June 2001.

Steinkamp, Judith; Vinskey, Heather; Lerch, Mark. UMass / Five CollegeSteinkamp, Judith; Vinskey, Heather; Lerch, Mark. UMass / Five College

Bicycle Master Plan, University of Massachusetts Amherst. August 2003.Bicycle Master Plan, University of Massachusetts Amherst. August 2003.

UMass Bicycle Commuter Program, UMass Parking Services. Available onlineUMass Bicycle Commuter Program, UMass Parking Services. Available online

at: http://parking.umass.edu/bike/at: http://parking.umass.edu/bike/

Special thanks to Robert Hendry, UMass Transportation Coordinator, for hisSpecial thanks to Robert Hendry, UMass Transportation Coordinator, for his

help collecting research materials and shared knowledge of the bicyclehelp collecting research materials and shared knowledge of the bicycle

commuter network at UMass.commuter network at UMass.