Researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst have installed bicycle counters on the protected bike lane along University Drive in Amherst and the Rail Trail in Northampton to evaluate the impact of specially designed schematic maps on the adoption of micromobility, which encompasses bicycles, e-bikes and e-scooters, in the Pioneer Valley. 

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“The challenge with bicycles or micromobility in general is that, because they’re not a fixed system, there are a plethora of destinations,” says Jimi Oke, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at UMass Amherst and principal investigator (PI) of the study. “The entire road network can be considered. However, there are differences in levels of infrastructure — levels of stress, levels of comfort, points of interest — and so the big challenge is trying to optimize all these objectives and come up with something that is a compromise of everything.”

A subway map is an example of a schematic map: it prioritizes communicating key locations over precise geographic accuracy. Similarly, the researchers will use optimization algorithms to design a schematic map of bike routes and points of interest like grocery stores, coffee shops and bike shops. Instead of showing the entire road network, these schematic maps will highlight existing infrastructure and communicate whether the route includes a separated bike path, a conventional bike lane, or requires sharing the road with other road users. 

The bike counters, including an existing counter installed in Hadley, will measure changes in micromobility traffic to determine if the maps increase bicycle use. The goal of their research is to encourage alternatives to personal cars in order to lower transportation greenhouse gas emissions.

The researchers highlight the importance of doing this research in Western Mass, saying that bicycling studies are more common in urban areas. However, their work could raise awareness about the feasibility of cycling in car-centric, rural areas.

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“In urban areas, the locations of bike lanes and protected bike paths are often more visible; in rural areas, less so,” says Eleni Christofa, professor of civil and environmental engineering at UMass Amherst and co-PI of the research. “A lot of times we’re talking about bike trails that are ‘hidden’ and not on the main road. Providing information to residents and visitors on where those types of bike infrastructure exist and where different types of amenities exist will be very helpful.”

“[These maps] may not necessarily replace wayfinding with a smartphone,” adds Oke. “But the idea is to create awareness and enable users to develop a mental map of the network in their area. They will show people a snapshot of all the bicycle information and perhaps encourage them to bike more.”

The team is also circulating surveys to collect data on micromobility usage and related needs, particularly with regard to maps. 

“We’re asking questions related to their experience with using e-scooters and bikes and also what they consider as barriers to biking, trying to focus specifically on the types of information that would facilitate and motivate someone’s decision to bike,” says Christofa. 

Anyone in the community is invited to complete the survey.

“Sometimes we think: ‘Let’s improve infrastructure. Let’s add more buses. Let’s extend the network,” says Oke. “But sometimes what we have is being severely underutilized. And so, what are ways we could make better use of what we currently have? We think better maps are one answer to this question.”

This research is funded by the Armstrong Fund for Science.