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• 1. [Article] Bicycle Level of Service: Where are the Gaps in Bicycle Flow Measures?

  Bicycle use is increasing in many parts of the U.S. Local and regional governments have set ambitious bicycle mode share goals as part of their strategy to curb greenhouse gas emissions and relieve traffic ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Bicycle Level of Service: Where are the Gaps in Bicycle Flow Measures? Author: Johnson, Pamela Christine Year: 2014 Bicycle use is increasing in many parts of the U.S. Local and regional governments have set ambitious bicycle mode share goals as part of their strategy to curb greenhouse gas emissions and relieve traffic congestion. In particular, Portland, Oregon has set a 25% mode share goal for 2030 (PBOT 2010). Currently bicycle mode share in Portland is 6.1% of all trips. Other cities and regional planning organizations are also setting ambitious bicycle mode share goals and increasing bicycle facilities and programs to encourage bicycling. Increases in bicycle mode share are being encouraged to increase. However, cities with higher-than-average bicycle mode share are beginning to experience locations with bicycle traffic congestion, especially during peak commute hours. Today, there are no established methods are used to describe or measure bicycle traffic flows. In the 1960s, the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) introduced Level of Service (LOS) measurements to describe traffic flow and capacity of motor vehicles on highways using an A-to-F grading system; "A" describes free flow traffic with no maneuvering constraints for the driver and an "F" grade corresponds to over capacity situations in which traffic flow breaks down or becomes "jammed". LOS metrics were expanded to highway and road facilities, operations and design. In the 1990s, the HCM introduced LOS measurements for transit, pedestrians, and bicycles. Today, there are many well established and emerging bicycle level of service (BLOS) methods that measure the stress, comfort and perception of safety of bicycle facilities. However, it was been assumed that bicycle traffic volumes are low and do not warrant the use of a LOS measure for bicycle capacity and traffic flow. There are few BLOS methods that take bicycle flow into consideration, except for in the case of separated bicycle and bicycle-pedestrian paths. This thesis investigated the state of BLOS capacity methods that use bicycle volumes as a variable. The existing methods were applied to bicycle facility elements along a corridor that experiences high bicycle volumes in Portland, Oregon. Using data from the study corridor, BLOS was calculated and a sensitivity analysis was applied to each of the methods to determine how sensitive the models are to each of the variables used. An intercept survey was conducted to compare the BLOS capacity scores calculated for the corridor with the users' perception. In addition, 2030 bicycle mode share for the study corridor was estimated and the implications of increased future bicycle congestion were discussed. Gaps in the BLOS methods, limitations of the thesis study and future research were summarized. In general, the existing methods for BLOS capacity are intended for separated paths; they are not appropriate for existing high traffic flow facilities. Most of the BLOS traffic flow methods that have been developed are most sensitive to bicycle volumes. Some of these models may be a good starting point to improve BLOS capacity and traffic flow measures for high bicycle volume locations. Without the tools to measure and evaluate the patterns of bicycle capacity and traffic flow, it will be difficult to monitor and mitigate bicycle congestion and to plan for efficient bicycle facilities in the future. This report concludes that it is now time to develop new BLOS capacity measures that address bicycle traffic flow. Title: Bicycle Level of Service: Where are the Gaps in Bicycle Flow Measures? Author: Johnson, Pamela Christine Year: 2014 Bicycle use is increasing in many parts of the U.S. Local and regional governments have set ambitious bicycle mode share goals as part of their strategy to curb greenhouse gas emissions and relieve traffic congestion. In particular, Portland, Oregon has set a 25% mode share goal for 2030 (PBOT 2010). Currently bicycle mode share in Portland is 6.1% of all trips. Other cities and regional planning organizations are also setting ambitious bicycle mode share goals and increasing bicycle facilities and programs to encourage bicycling. Increases in bicycle mode share are being encouraged to increase. However, cities with higher-than-average bicycle mode share are beginning to experience locations with bicycle traffic congestion, especially during peak commute hours. Today, there are no established methods are used to describe or measure bicycle traffic flows. In the 1960s, the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) introduced Level of Service (LOS) measurements to describe traffic flow and capacity of motor vehicles on highways using an A-to-F grading system; "A" describes free flow traffic with no maneuvering constraints for the driver and an "F" grade corresponds to over capacity situations in which traffic flow breaks down or becomes "jammed". LOS metrics were expanded to highway and road facilities, operations and design. In the 1990s, the HCM introduced LOS measurements for transit, pedestrians, and bicycles. Today, there are many well established and emerging bicycle level of service (BLOS) methods that measure the stress, comfort and perception of safety of bicycle facilities. However, it was been assumed that bicycle traffic volumes are low and do not warrant the use of a LOS measure for bicycle capacity and traffic flow. There are few BLOS methods that take bicycle flow into consideration, except for in the case of separated bicycle and bicycle-pedestrian paths. This thesis investigated the state of BLOS capacity methods that use bicycle volumes as a variable. The existing methods were applied to bicycle facility elements along a corridor that experiences high bicycle volumes in Portland, Oregon. Using data from the study corridor, BLOS was calculated and a sensitivity analysis was applied to each of the methods to determine how sensitive the models are to each of the variables used. An intercept survey was conducted to compare the BLOS capacity scores calculated for the corridor with the users' perception. In addition, 2030 bicycle mode share for the study corridor was estimated and the implications of increased future bicycle congestion were discussed. Gaps in the BLOS methods, limitations of the thesis study and future research were summarized. In general, the existing methods for BLOS capacity are intended for separated paths; they are not appropriate for existing high traffic flow facilities. Most of the BLOS traffic flow methods that have been developed are most sensitive to bicycle volumes. Some of these models may be a good starting point to improve BLOS capacity and traffic flow measures for high bicycle volume locations. Without the tools to measure and evaluate the patterns of bicycle capacity and traffic flow, it will be difficult to monitor and mitigate bicycle congestion and to plan for efficient bicycle facilities in the future. This report concludes that it is now time to develop new BLOS capacity measures that address bicycle traffic flow. Close

• 2. [Article] Self-Organizing Signals: A Better Framework for Transit Signal Priority

  Actuated traffic signal control logic has many advantages because of its responsiveness to traffic demands, short cycles, effective use of capacity leading to and recovering from oversaturation, and amenability ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Self-Organizing Signals: A Better Framework for Transit Signal Priority Author: Furth, Peter G. Year: 2015 Actuated traffic signal control logic has many advantages because of its responsiveness to traffic demands, short cycles, effective use of capacity leading to and recovering from oversaturation, and amenability to aggressive transit priority. Its main drawback has been its inability to provide good progression along arterials. However, the traditional way of providing progression along arterials, coordinated-actuated control with a common, fixed cycle length, has many drawbacks stemming from its long cycle lengths, inflexibility in recovering from priority interruptions, and ineffective use of capacity during periods of oversaturation. This research explores a new paradigm for traffic signal control, “self-organizing signals,” based on local actuated control but with some additional rules that create coordination mechanisms. The primary new rules proposed are for secondary extensions, in which the green may be held to serve an imminently arriving platoon, and dynamic coordination, in which small groups of closely spaced signals communicate with one another to cycle synchronously with the group’s critical intersection. Simulation tests in VISSIM performed on arterial corridors in Massachusetts and Arizona show overall delay reductions of up to 14% compared to an optimized coordinated-actuated scheme where there is no transit priority, and more than 30% in scenarios with temporary oversaturation. Tests also show that with self-organizing control, transit signal priority can be more effective than with coordinated-actuated control, reducing transit delay by about 60%, or 12 to 14 s per intersection with little impact on traffic delay. Title: Self-Organizing Signals: A Better Framework for Transit Signal Priority Author: Furth, Peter G. Year: 2015 Actuated traffic signal control logic has many advantages because of its responsiveness to traffic demands, short cycles, effective use of capacity leading to and recovering from oversaturation, and amenability to aggressive transit priority. Its main drawback has been its inability to provide good progression along arterials. However, the traditional way of providing progression along arterials, coordinated-actuated control with a common, fixed cycle length, has many drawbacks stemming from its long cycle lengths, inflexibility in recovering from priority interruptions, and ineffective use of capacity during periods of oversaturation. This research explores a new paradigm for traffic signal control, “self-organizing signals,” based on local actuated control but with some additional rules that create coordination mechanisms. The primary new rules proposed are for secondary extensions, in which the green may be held to serve an imminently arriving platoon, and dynamic coordination, in which small groups of closely spaced signals communicate with one another to cycle synchronously with the group’s critical intersection. Simulation tests in VISSIM performed on arterial corridors in Massachusetts and Arizona show overall delay reductions of up to 14% compared to an optimized coordinated-actuated scheme where there is no transit priority, and more than 30% in scenarios with temporary oversaturation. Tests also show that with self-organizing control, transit signal priority can be more effective than with coordinated-actuated control, reducing transit delay by about 60%, or 12 to 14 s per intersection with little impact on traffic delay. Close

• 3. [Article] Federal Transit Administration's Impact on Public Transportation in the United States

  The Federal Transit Administration invests in building the capacity and improving the quality of public transportation throughout the United States of America. Under FTA's leadership, public rail, bus, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Federal Transit Administration's Impact on Public Transportation in the United States Author: Changchien, Amy Year: 2014 The Federal Transit Administration invests in building the capacity and improving the quality of public transportation throughout the United States of America. Under FTA's leadership, public rail, bus, trolley, ferry, and other transit services have reached greater levels of safety, reliability, availability, and accessibility. Come hear the highlights of FTA's impacts and participate in an interactive question/answer session and discussion on career options in public transportation. Title: Federal Transit Administration's Impact on Public Transportation in the United States Author: Changchien, Amy Year: 2014 The Federal Transit Administration invests in building the capacity and improving the quality of public transportation throughout the United States of America. Under FTA's leadership, public rail, bus, trolley, ferry, and other transit services have reached greater levels of safety, reliability, availability, and accessibility. Come hear the highlights of FTA's impacts and participate in an interactive question/answer session and discussion on career options in public transportation. Close

• 4. [Article] GIS Tools for Bicycle Network Analysis and Planning

  This presentation is a showcase of various GIS tools developed for bicycle network analysis and planning. The showcase includes a tool for assessing community-wide bikeability, a tool for forecasting bicycle ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: GIS Tools for Bicycle Network Analysis and Planning Author: Lowry, Mike Year: 2014 This presentation is a showcase of various GIS tools developed for bicycle network analysis and planning. The showcase includes a tool for assessing community-wide bikeability, a tool for forecasting bicycle volumes based on street topology, and a tool for evaluating different bicycle improvement plans in terms of exposure to danger situations for bicyclists. The tools will be demonstrated with case study data. The presentation will include a review of the Highway Capacity Manual Bicycle Level of Service and a discussion about using bicycle and pedestrian data collected through citizen-volunteer count programs. Title: GIS Tools for Bicycle Network Analysis and Planning Author: Lowry, Mike Year: 2014 This presentation is a showcase of various GIS tools developed for bicycle network analysis and planning. The showcase includes a tool for assessing community-wide bikeability, a tool for forecasting bicycle volumes based on street topology, and a tool for evaluating different bicycle improvement plans in terms of exposure to danger situations for bicyclists. The tools will be demonstrated with case study data. The presentation will include a review of the Highway Capacity Manual Bicycle Level of Service and a discussion about using bicycle and pedestrian data collected through citizen-volunteer count programs. Close

• 5. [Article] Bike Planning Methods in Oregon Communities

  In this seminar, Tara Weidner will discuss changes in the works to the State Analysis Procedures Manual (APM) to include three graduated levels of bike planning methods for use in Oregon communities, based ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Bike Planning Methods in Oregon Communities Author: Weidner, Tara Year: 2014 In this seminar, Tara Weidner will discuss changes in the works to the State Analysis Procedures Manual (APM) to include three graduated levels of bike planning methods for use in Oregon communities, based on community size, data needs, and planning stage. These include the Bike Level of Traffic Stress (BLTS), a sketch tool used to assess bike network connectivity, the data-heavy Highway Capacity Manual Multi-modal Level of Service (MMLOS) procedures, and a simplified MMLOS developed by the same researchers. Title: Bike Planning Methods in Oregon Communities Author: Weidner, Tara Year: 2014 In this seminar, Tara Weidner will discuss changes in the works to the State Analysis Procedures Manual (APM) to include three graduated levels of bike planning methods for use in Oregon communities, based on community size, data needs, and planning stage. These include the Bike Level of Traffic Stress (BLTS), a sketch tool used to assess bike network connectivity, the data-heavy Highway Capacity Manual Multi-modal Level of Service (MMLOS) procedures, and a simplified MMLOS developed by the same researchers. Close

• 6. [Article] Cargo Cycles for Local and Last Mile Delivery: Lessons from New York City

  Cities depend on safe and efficient goods movement to support community livability and a healthy economy. However, delivery of goods in an urban environment presents a tremendous challenge. Traditional ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Cargo Cycles for Local and Last Mile Delivery: Lessons from New York City Author: Conway, Alison Year: 2015 Cities depend on safe and efficient goods movement to support community livability and a healthy economy. However, delivery of goods in an urban environment presents a tremendous challenge. Traditional motorized vehicles used for goods movement – ranging from cargo vans to box trucks - are inherently incompatible with (1) the multimodal street environments of modern cities, with clean, quiet conditions preferred by residents, and (2) larger environmental sustainability goals. As freight flows continue to grow with the demands of global trade, new urban freight and city logistics solutions are needed. Cargo cycles – human powered cycles equipped with freight carrying capacity – offer a potential alternative to reduce freight externalities. This presentation will discuss the results of the recently completed “Freight Tricycles in New York City (NYC)” project, which aimed to evaluate the potential for cargo cycles as a local and last-mile freight transportation mode and to understand the traffic performance and externalities of cargo cycles compared to motorized delivery modes in NYC conditions. Title: Cargo Cycles for Local and Last Mile Delivery: Lessons from New York City Author: Conway, Alison Year: 2015 Cities depend on safe and efficient goods movement to support community livability and a healthy economy. However, delivery of goods in an urban environment presents a tremendous challenge. Traditional motorized vehicles used for goods movement – ranging from cargo vans to box trucks - are inherently incompatible with (1) the multimodal street environments of modern cities, with clean, quiet conditions preferred by residents, and (2) larger environmental sustainability goals. As freight flows continue to grow with the demands of global trade, new urban freight and city logistics solutions are needed. Cargo cycles – human powered cycles equipped with freight carrying capacity – offer a potential alternative to reduce freight externalities. This presentation will discuss the results of the recently completed “Freight Tricycles in New York City (NYC)” project, which aimed to evaluate the potential for cargo cycles as a local and last-mile freight transportation mode and to understand the traffic performance and externalities of cargo cycles compared to motorized delivery modes in NYC conditions. Close

• 7. [Article] Webinar: Investigations in Transportation: Partnering Industry Professionals and Elementary Teachers in a STEM Unit of Study

  Investigations in Transportation was an elementary school partnership and curriculum development project, engaging STEM professionals in school-based design projects. Fifth-grade students in two Oregon ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Webinar: Investigations in Transportation: Partnering Industry Professionals and Elementary Teachers in a STEM Unit of Study Author: Biskupic Knight, Carol Year: 2016 Investigations in Transportation was an elementary school partnership and curriculum development project, engaging STEM professionals in school-based design projects. Fifth-grade students in two Oregon communities teamed up with transportation professionals from ODOT to redesign their school parking lots, resulting in better traffic flow and increased capacity. The immersive learning experience received overwhelmingly positive feedback from students, teachers and administrators. This webinar will demonstrate how the Portland Metro STEM Partnership was facilitated to bring transportation education into elementary school classrooms, offering students unparalleled access to STEM professionals working in their communities and to real-world applications of engineering principles. Title: Webinar: Investigations in Transportation: Partnering Industry Professionals and Elementary Teachers in a STEM Unit of Study Author: Biskupic Knight, Carol Year: 2016 Investigations in Transportation was an elementary school partnership and curriculum development project, engaging STEM professionals in school-based design projects. Fifth-grade students in two Oregon communities teamed up with transportation professionals from ODOT to redesign their school parking lots, resulting in better traffic flow and increased capacity. The immersive learning experience received overwhelmingly positive feedback from students, teachers and administrators. This webinar will demonstrate how the Portland Metro STEM Partnership was facilitated to bring transportation education into elementary school classrooms, offering students unparalleled access to STEM professionals working in their communities and to real-world applications of engineering principles. Close

• 8. [Article] Matthew Knight Arena Monitoring Report: Phase II

  27 pages

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Matthew Knight Arena Monitoring Report: Phase II Author: University of Oregon. Dept. of Planning, Public Policy and Management. Community Planning Workshop, Phillips, Madeline, Steiner, Bethany Year: 2016, 2012 27 pages Title: Matthew Knight Arena Monitoring Report: Phase II Author: University of Oregon. Dept. of Planning, Public Policy and Management. Community Planning Workshop, Phillips, Madeline, Steiner, Bethany Year: 2016, 2012 27 pages Close

• 9. [Article] Disseminating the Sustainable City Year Program (SCYP) Education Model

  The University of Oregon has developed a catalytic learning model that simultaneously meets the needs of both the next generation’s transportation workforce and cities looking for innovative and catalytic ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Disseminating the Sustainable City Year Program (SCYP) Education Model Author: Larco, Nico, Schlossberg, Marc Year: 2016 The University of Oregon has developed a catalytic learning model that simultaneously meets the needs of both the next generation’s transportation workforce and cities looking for innovative and catalytic ways to advance a new era of transportation goals. Named the Sustainable City Year Program (SCYP), the model links local community priorities (as expressed through local plans and city council goals) with courses from a range of disciplines at a nearby university. The UO program engages 500+ multidisciplinary students annually in providing 60,000+ hours of work to city-identified projects using the existing administrative systems of both universities and local communities. This NITC technology transfer project assisted in the national dissemination of the SCYP model through a specific set of strategies and resources. These tools included turning training content into webinars and videos to communicate content virtually, disseminating training content through targeted on-site events, hosting a national training conference, and creating a searchable catalog platform of transportation projects from all the programs now running a version of SCYP at their universities. This project has catalyzed the creation of three new programs specifically (University of South Florida, University of Colorado Denver, and Western Washington University) and has provide helpful tools that have significantly increased the capacity of universities to access high-quality SCYP training material for their own future program development. Title: Disseminating the Sustainable City Year Program (SCYP) Education Model Author: Larco, Nico, Schlossberg, Marc Year: 2016 The University of Oregon has developed a catalytic learning model that simultaneously meets the needs of both the next generation’s transportation workforce and cities looking for innovative and catalytic ways to advance a new era of transportation goals. Named the Sustainable City Year Program (SCYP), the model links local community priorities (as expressed through local plans and city council goals) with courses from a range of disciplines at a nearby university. The UO program engages 500+ multidisciplinary students annually in providing 60,000+ hours of work to city-identified projects using the existing administrative systems of both universities and local communities. This NITC technology transfer project assisted in the national dissemination of the SCYP model through a specific set of strategies and resources. These tools included turning training content into webinars and videos to communicate content virtually, disseminating training content through targeted on-site events, hosting a national training conference, and creating a searchable catalog platform of transportation projects from all the programs now running a version of SCYP at their universities. This project has catalyzed the creation of three new programs specifically (University of South Florida, University of Colorado Denver, and Western Washington University) and has provide helpful tools that have significantly increased the capacity of universities to access high-quality SCYP training material for their own future program development. Close

• 10. [Article] A Level-of-Service Model for Protected Bike Lanes

  Several methods exist for quantifying the quality of service provided by a roadway from a bicyclist’s perspective; however, many of these models do not consider physically protected bike lanes and, of ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A Level-of-Service Model for Protected Bike Lanes Author: Foster, Nick, Monsere, Christopher, Dill, Jennifer, Clifton, Kelly Year: 2015 Several methods exist for quantifying the quality of service provided by a roadway from a bicyclist’s perspective; however, many of these models do not consider physically protected bike lanes and, of those that do, none is based on empirical data from the US. This is problematic as engineers, planners, and elected officials are increasingly looking to objective performance measures to help guide transportation project design and funding prioritization decisions. This paper addresses this gap by presenting a cumulative logistic model to predict user comfort on protected bike lanes developed from data collected during in-person video surveys. The surveys were conducted in Portland, OR with video footage gathered in Chicago, IL, Portland, OR and San Francisco, CA. The model is for road segments only and not signalized intersections. It complements the Highway Capacity Manual 2010 level-of- service methods by providing an analysis procedure for a facility type that is not currently included in the manual. The model indicates that the type of buffer, direction of travel (one-way vs. two-way), adjacent motor vehicle speed limit, and average daily motor vehicle volumes are all significant predictors of bicyclist comfort in protected bike lanes. The model predicts a mean value of ‘A’ or ‘B’ on an A (most comfortable) – F (least comfortable) scale for all protected bike lane clips used in the survey. Consistent with previous research findings, survey respondents report that protected bike lanes are generally more comfortable than other types of on-street infrastructure. Title: A Level-of-Service Model for Protected Bike Lanes Author: Foster, Nick, Monsere, Christopher, Dill, Jennifer, Clifton, Kelly Year: 2015 Several methods exist for quantifying the quality of service provided by a roadway from a bicyclist’s perspective; however, many of these models do not consider physically protected bike lanes and, of those that do, none is based on empirical data from the US. This is problematic as engineers, planners, and elected officials are increasingly looking to objective performance measures to help guide transportation project design and funding prioritization decisions. This paper addresses this gap by presenting a cumulative logistic model to predict user comfort on protected bike lanes developed from data collected during in-person video surveys. The surveys were conducted in Portland, OR with video footage gathered in Chicago, IL, Portland, OR and San Francisco, CA. The model is for road segments only and not signalized intersections. It complements the Highway Capacity Manual 2010 level-of- service methods by providing an analysis procedure for a facility type that is not currently included in the manual. The model indicates that the type of buffer, direction of travel (one-way vs. two-way), adjacent motor vehicle speed limit, and average daily motor vehicle volumes are all significant predictors of bicyclist comfort in protected bike lanes. The model predicts a mean value of ‘A’ or ‘B’ on an A (most comfortable) – F (least comfortable) scale for all protected bike lane clips used in the survey. Consistent with previous research findings, survey respondents report that protected bike lanes are generally more comfortable than other types of on-street infrastructure. Close