Optimization Framework for Bicycle Network Design
Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 140, Issue 7
Abstract
This paper presents a new formulation for the network design problem as it relates to retrofitting existing roadway infrastructure for bicycles. The goal of the problem is, for a minimum cost, to connect all origin–destination pairs with paths where each roadway segment and intersection meets or exceeds a lower bound on its bicycling level of service. The length of each optimal path is constrained to be no greater than a given upper bound, which is expressed as a function of shortest path length. Experimental analysis on the Austin, Texas downtown region shows that a systems approach will yield different results than an approach that separately considers connecting each pair of origins and destinations, and that placing an upper bound on the amount of deviation from the shortest path will impact the design decisions. Model parameters, although the defaults are based on existing research, should be calibrated based on local data. Variants on the formulation are provided that allow for a trade-off between optimality and computational efficiency.
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Acknowledgments
The author would like to thank the Capital Area Metropolitan Transportation Organization, and specifically Greg Griffin, for providing the data used in this research. Thanks are also due to Dr. Natalia Ruiz Juri from The University of Texas at Austin for engaging in multiple discussions during the development of the formulation. An earlier version of this work was presented at the INFORMS 2010 conference and thanks are due to the audience members who contributed thoughtful comments and questions. Lastly, the authors would like to thank the two anonymous reviewers of this paper, whose comments were very valuable when revising this paper.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 140 • Issue 7 • July 2014
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 12, 2013
Accepted: Mar 17, 2014
Published online: Apr 25, 2014
Published in print: Jul 1, 2014
Discussion open until: Sep 25, 2014
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