An optimal road network design model with variable OD travel demand.

The transformation of urban roadways into pedestrian streets is a popular measure for reshaping city parts and enhancing their livability. Nevertheless, pedestrianization schemes are expected to have some impact on the performance of the neighboring road network, especially if these are established ad-hoc or solely based on non-transport criteria. This study introduces a methodological tool for supporting decisions on implementing pedestrianization schemes in urban networks. A bi-level network design model variant is developed for that purpose, whose design objective is to maximize the extent of pedestrian streets in an urban network, while maintaining acceptable impacts to the performance of the road network. Alternative decisions on pedestrianization are considered for each network segment; these include partial (one-directional) or complete (bi-directional) pedestrianization under physical and operational criteria and constraints. The model is applied for a mid-sized urban network in Greece and solved using a genetic algorithm. Results show that the pedestrianization of almost 7% of the road network in relation to length leads to a 40% increase in total network travel time, while a higher ratio of complete versus partial pedestrianization is more advantageous. Outcomes also reveal that that rigid design guidelines should be examined in a case-by-case approach, as superior results may be attained if some constraints, such as those related to the overall street width, are relaxed. Reasonably, policy priorities significantly impact generated solutions and are expected to play a decisive role in the design of pedestrianization schemes.

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Estimating Demand for a New Travel Mode in Boise, Idaho

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13031209 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 1209

Author(s):

Mandar Khanal

Keyword(s):

Road Network ◽

Travel Demand ◽

Stated Preference ◽

State University ◽

University Campus ◽

City Center ◽

Road Congestion ◽

The Us ◽

Potential Mode ◽

The City

The 20,000-student Boise State University campus is located about 3 km from the center of the city of Boise. There is a significant amount of travel between the campus and the city center as students and staff travel to the city to visit restaurants, shops, and entertainment centers. Currently, people make this trip by car, shuttle bus, bike, or walking modes. Cars and shuttle buses, which share the same road network, constitute about 76% of the total trips. As road congestion is expected to grow in the future, it is prudent to look for other modes that can fulfill the travel demand. One potential mode is an aerial tramway. However, an aerial tramway is not a common mode of urban travel in the US. This research describes how the stated preference method was used to estimate demand for a mode that does not currently exist. An online stated preference survey was sent out to 8681 students, faculty, and staff and 1821 valid responses were received. Only about 35% of the respondents expressed their willingness to choose an aerial tramway for various combinations of cost and convenience of the new mode. Respondents were also found to favor convenience over cost for the new mode.

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