Starting Bicycle and Pedestrian Counting

Programs

Lessons in Developing a Regional Program

Sean Co

Metropolitan Transportation Commission

7 million people9 counties101 cities 27 transit operatorsRural to dense cities—Rural to Urban

9 counties

101 cities

Urban

Rural

Past Efforts

Bicyclist and Pedestrian Data Collection and Analysis Project (2003)

100 count locations

High collision rates

Regional Bicycle NetworkProximity to transit

schools & universities

local & regional destinations

Past Effort Methodology

Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays

7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. & 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Locations near schools expanded (2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.)

Counts continued in 2004

No counts until 2010

How will we use the counts?

State of the System Report

Transit ridership

Freeway congestion data

Toll bridge traffic

Airport passenger and cargo volume

Collisions

Bicycle or pedestrian data?

Equity with other modes

Adjustment factors allow time period reporting

How will we use the counts?Snapshot of activity

Baseline for Bike to Work Day counts

Information for requests from the press

Exposure rates for bicycles and pedestrians

Calibration of travel demand model

Developing a program

Volunteer Program

Managing volunteers takes time and effort

City counts not consistent

Different methodologies and purpose for counts

Consultant Assistance for Counts

Consistency in counts

Data received in a timely fashion

Data summarized in your format

Reliability of professional firm

Location selection key for staffing needs

Methodology

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InexpensiveConsultant budget

$25,000 for 100 locations for two periods

No analysisBudget in staff time analysis

Includes training of count consultant

MethodologyUse National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project

Minor changesEntire month of September

Direction of travel not recorded

Ensures accuracy of counts

Characteristics prioritized – gender over helmet use

What happens next?

Counts conducted in September

Alameda county paid for extra counts

Apply adjustment factors

Work to develop adjustment factors for bicycles

Compile counts from other agencies

Screenline counts Trail counts

Bicycle and Pedestrian Activity in the San Francisco Bay Area

010,00020,00030,00040,00050,00060,00070,00080,00090,000100,000

2003 2004 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Cyclists and Pedestrians Per Day Investment

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Sean Cosco@mtc.ca.gov510.817.5748

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