Bicycle Level of Traffic Stress

A system connectivity methodology

Jessica Horning Peter Schuytema, P.E.

Pro Walk / Pro Bike / Pro Place

September 9, 2014

Multimodal Analysis in APM

Level of Traffic Stress

“Low Stress Bicycling and Network Connectivity”, Mineta Transportation Institute, Report 11-19, May 2012.

• Classifies road segments based on perceived safety issues with close proximity to traffic.

• Allows for quick assessment of system connectivity without burden of more intensive (MMLOS) methods.

• Most data should be part of TSP inventories or easily obtainable.

• Visual-based results for easy communication between staff, stakeholders, and the public.

Rider Groupings

• Strong And Fearless (LTS 4)

• Enthused and Confident (LTS 3)

• Interested but Concerned (LTS 1 &2)

Level of Traffic Stress Classifications

• LTS 1 –

– Low speeds

– No more than one lane per direction

– Intersections easy to cross by all

– Suitable for all cyclists, including 5th grade children and supervising riding parents

– Residential local streets and separated paths

Level of Traffic Stress Classifications

• LTS 2 –

– Slightly higher speeds

– Up to three lanes wide in total

– Intersections not difficult to cross

– Little stress but requires more attention, so suitable for teen and adult cyclists

– Collector-level streets with bike lanes and central business districts

– Maximizes bicycle mode share

Level of Traffic Stress Classifications • LTS 3 –

– Moderate speeds

– Up to five lanes of total width

– Intersection crossings still perceived safe

– Moderate stress – tolerable for many cyclists

– Low speed arterials with bike lanes or moderate speed two/three-lane roadways

Level of Traffic Stress Classifications

• LTS 4 –

– Moderate to high speeds

– From two to greater than five lanes

– Intersections may be judged unsafe or difficult to cross

– High-speed/multilane roadways with narrow or no bike lanes

– High stress –suitable for experienced or skilled cyclists

The LTS Methodology Covers:

• Segments

• Intersection approaches and crossings

• Measurement of “true” connectivity (beyond just filling facility gaps)

• Ability to prioritize improvements

ODOT Method Modifications

“Low Stress Bicycling and Network Connectivity”, Mineta Transportation Institute, Report 11-19, May 2012.

• Reformatted tables to remove inconsistencies

• Impact of left turn lanes on bicycle routing

• Added considerations for buffered bike lanes and shared-lane markings

• More flexibility on outside rider factors – hills, pavement condition, driveway density, etc.

• Rural application using volumes and shoulder width

General Data Needs

• Posted speed or prevailing speed

• Number of lanes per direction

• Bike lane/parking widths

• Bike lane blockage frequency

• Turn lane configurations

• Daily volumes (rural only)

• Shoulder width (rural only)

Stress Mapping

• GIS or travel demand model-based

• Color-coding by stress level quickly shows “connectivity islands” caused by barriers.

– Arterials, railroads, waterways, street grid breaks

• Allows for analysis of bicycle mode share splits.

• Potential connectivity performance measures

– Percent Trips (or Points) Connected at any given LTS

Application to Salem: Overall Stress Levels – Salem, OR

Salem Application: LOS 1 & 2 Islands With Downtown Highlighted

Oregon Household

Activity Survey

(OHAS):

Household Bicycle Trip

Counts Over Salem’s

Low-Stress Network

Legend:

Irrigon Bicycle, Pedestrian and Transit TSP Update

Questions?

For more information on the original methodology, go to: http://transweb.sjsu.edu/project/1005.html Soon to be published in ODOT’s Analysis Procedure Manual V2: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TD/TP/Pages/APM.aspx