title: Effect of width and boundary conditions on meeting maneuvers on two-way separated cycle tracks.
abstract: Cycle track design guidelines are rarely based on scientific studies. In the case of off-road two-way cycle tracks, a minimum width must facilitate both passing and meeting maneuvers, being meeting maneuvers the most frequent. This study developed a methodology to observe meeting maneuvers using an instrumented bicycle, equipped with video cameras, a GPS tracker, laser rangefinders and speed sensors. This bicycle collected data on six two-way cycle tracks ranging 1.3-2.15m width delimitated by different boundary conditions. The meeting maneuvers between the instrumented bicycle and every oncoming bicycle were characterized by the meeting clearance between the two bicycles, the speed of opposing bicycle and the reaction of the opposing rider: change in trajectory, stop pedaling or braking. The results showed that meeting clearance increased with the cycle track width and decreased if the cycle track had lateral obstacles, especially if they were higher than the bicycle handlebar. The speed of opposing bicycle shown the same tendency, although were more disperse. Opposing cyclists performed more reaction maneuvers on narrower cycle tracks and on cycle tracks with lateral obstacles to the handlebar height. Conclusions suggested avoiding cycle tracks narrower than 1.6m, as they present lower meeting clearances, lower bicycle speeds and frequent reaction maneuvers.
authors.affiliation: Highway Engineering Research Group, Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain.
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.affiliation: Highway Engineering Research Group, Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain.
authors.forename: Fernando Agustin
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Gomez
authors.affiliation: Highway Engineering Research Group, Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain. Electronic address: carlloga@cam.upv.es.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Llorca
authors.affiliation: Highway Engineering Research Group, Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Angel-Domenech
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling / Q000592:standards*; D002958:City Planning / Q000379:methods*; D004779:Environment Design / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D017751:Safety Management / Q000379:methods*; D013030:Spain; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cycle safety; Cycle track; Instrumented bicycle; Urban cycling