MEASURING BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ACTIVITY IN SANTIAGO, CHILE

Abstract

<p>This research demonstrates a method of data collection to analyse and compare flows of bicycle (with historic data) and pedestrian activity using automatic counters and manual counts in Santiago, Chile. An outstanding challenges facing planning for non-motorized transportation (bicycle and pedestrian) is the lack of consistent information on usage and demand of these modes. This is probably the single greatest impediment to being able to understand the behaviour of travelers using these modes. Further, without consistent and accurate information on demand and usage, it is difficult to measure the real benefits of public investments on health, travel time, and other relevant indicators, and to compare these modes to alternatives such as public transit or private automobile. For these reasons, this research aims to measure bicycle and pedestrian activity in specific points of Santiago-Chile. This study is divided into two sections: 1. Measuring bicycle activity in behaviour s of Antonio Varas Ave. and Simon Bolivar Ave. (Case study 1) and Pocuro Ave., Antonio Varas Ave. and Andrés Bello Ave. (Case study 2); and 2. Measuring bicycle and pedestrian activity in the Metropolitan Park of Santiago. This research is designed to (a) evaluate existing bicycle and pedestrian data sources, (b) conduct comprehensive counts of bicyclists and pedestrians using automatic and manual counting methods and (c) analyze the growth rate of bicycle users. This research presents materials developed including a literature review, research objectives, data collection methodology, results from the data collection effort, analysis, conclusions and future recommendations.</p>