Abstract
The Gainesville Mobility Plan Prototype was developed as the conges- tion management system plan for Gainesville, Florida, and incorporated level-of-service (LOS) performance measures for bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The LOS evaluations describe the degree of bicycle and pedestrian accommodation in a transportation corridor. The bicycle LOS measures are designated basic facility provided, conflicts, speed differential, motor vehicle LOS, maintenance, and provision of trans- portation demand management programs or intermodal links. Pedestrian LOS criteria are similar and incorporate specific pedestrian features. The Gainesville bicycle and pedestrian LOS performance measures use a point scale resulting in an LOS rating system of A through F. The scor- ing system was developed with sensitivity to characteristics that may be mutually exclusive or inclusive to determine all possible combinations of points. The methodology hypothesizes that there is a critical mass of variables that must be present to attract nonmotorized trips. The method- ology is applicable for corridor evaluations on arterial and collector roadways in urban or suburban areas. The criteria include measures of programmatic and off-street projects such as rail-trails, bicycle parking, bikes-on-transit, employer-based programs, and so forth, in addition to traditional on-street facility improvements. By measuring such improvements recommendations for more diverse projects can be sup- ported. This analysis was applied to several roadways with promising results that generally corresponded to user perceptions of the facilities. LOS evaluation was used as a tool of the congestion management sys- tem to develop project recommendations and priorities, but it may also be useful in concurrency and long-range transportation planning. Transportation planning has begun to emphasize multimodal approaches to meeting the challenges of congestion, air quality, infrastructure concurrency, and quality of life. Federal mandates for clean air, congestion management, and expanded public participa- tion have contributed to this shift in approach. Therefore, commu- nities have realized the necessity of measuring the deficiencies and improvements in nonmotorized transportation systems. There are numerous accepted methodologies for predicting and describing motor vehicle use. Similar analytical approaches are required if improvements to nonmotorized transportation systems are to be realized. Currently there are no standard level-of-service (LOS) performance measures for bicycle or pedestrian facilities, but the evolution of such measures has begun. Several recent efforts have identified, both qualitatively and quantitatively, the characteristics that create a good bicycle or pedestrian environment. However, none of the existing methodologies fully account for the range of bicycle and pedestrian improvements that could be implemented through plans for congestion management systems or other long- range planning efforts.