Bicycle Rack Utilization & Needs Study July 2002

Transcription

1 Bicycle Rack & Needs Study July 2002 University of Washington Transportation Office Box Seattle, WA

2 Table of Contents I. INTRODUCTION...i II. SURVEY METHODOLOGY...1 III. COMPARISON TO PAST SURVEYS...1 IV. EVALUATING ADEQUACY OF BICYCLE RACKS...2 A. Covered vs. Uncovered Bicycle Rack Usage...2 B. Bicycle Lockers...3 C. Bike Rooms...4 D. Illegally Parked Bicycles...4 V. PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT AREAS...5 A. Over-Capacity Locations...5 B. Over-Capacity Potential Improvement s...7 C. Under-Capacity Locations...7 D. Potential Toast Rack Source s...10 E. Bicycle Rack Maintenance...10 VI. Bicycle Facility Action Plan for Tables: Table 1: Campus Bicycle Rack Table 2: 2002 Covered/Uncovered Bicycle Rack...3 Table 3: May 2002 Bicycle Locker...3 Table 4: May 2002 Bicycle Lockers by...4 Table 5: 2002 Illegally Parked Bicycle Locations...5 Table 6: 2002 Over-Capacity Bicycle Rack Locations...5 Table 7: 2002 Under-Capacity Locations...8 i

3 I. INTRODUCTION This report documents the University of Washington 2002 bicycle rack utilization study and calls out a proposed strategy for bicycle facility maintenance and reallocation. II. SURVEY METHODOLOGY The survey was completed by Transportation Office staff on Wednesday, May 1 st 2002 between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Unlike previous years when the weather on the survey day was typically clear and sunny with temperatures in the 70s, the weather for May 1 st was overcast and in the upper 50s/low 60s. The original intent was to repeat the survey on a warmer day in May to compare the overcast day bike count with one on a clear day, but the weather did not cooperate for the remainder of May. The utilization is therefore, anticipated to be slightly lower than last year because of the overcast day. Surveyors used CAD maps of campus bicycle facilities to locate and count the number of bicycles parked at each location and also noted any bicycles parked illegally on rails, posts, trees, or other non-rack locations. The survey does not include the counting of bicycles parked in lockers or those inside buildings (in offices or hallways). III. COMPARISON TO PAST SURVEYS As shown in the table below, the survey indicated that bicycle racks in May 2002 were 32% utilized. This is down from the 36% utilization rate in of the 2009 counted bicycles (not counting those in lockers) were parked illegally on railings or poles. The number of bicycles counted this year is less than previous years, likely due to the poor weather. The number of bicycle racks and spaces has also decreased from last year. Construction projects on campus, including the IMA, the new UWMC Surgical Pavilion, and Electrical Engineering building, temporarily displace or block access to racks during construction. 1

4 Table 1: Campus Bicycle Rack Bicycle Racks Bicycle Spaces Bicycles Counted % % % % % % IV. EVALUATING ADEQUACY OF BICYCLE RACKS As part of the program of encouraging and facilitating bicycle usage by students, faculty and staff, the University of Washington has an interest in ensuring the best possible arrangement of facilities. Several opportunities are available to determine locations in need of additional (or fewer) bicycle facilities. They include: overall rack usage by campus location, evaluation of specific locations with over 75% utilization in the last three years, locations where bicycles are found locked to non-rack objects, and when comments are given by campus cyclists to the Transportation Office. A. Covered vs. Uncovered Bicycle Rack Usage As shown in Table 2, year 2002 utilization of covered racks was 38%, compared with 29% utilization of uncovered bicycle racks. Bicyclists tend to use covered racks more on cloudy or rainy days than on sunny ones. The survey, although conducted on overcast spring weather, still may overestimate the use of uncovered racks and underestimate the use of covered ones, in comparison with use in fall or winter weather. Table 2 indicates that, similar to 2001, the highest rack utilization rates (of both covered and uncovered racks) occurred in North and West campus areas. High rack utilization in these areas is related to student dormitories, where bicycle racks are used for bike storage, as well as general parking. 2

5 Campus Table 2: 2002 Covered/Uncovered Bicycle Rack Bicycles Parked Covered Bike Racks Uncovered Bike Racks Total Bicycles Covered Spaces Percent Bicycles Parked Uncovered Spaces Percent Total Bicycles Parked Total Spaces Percent West % % 438 1,133 39% North % % 467 1,263 37% South % % 353 1,151 31% Central % 450 1,614 28% 692 2,304 30% East % % % TOTAL 867 2,280 38% 1,142 3,904 29% 2,009 6,184 32% B. Bicycle Lockers The University currently has 214 bicycle lockers with a capacity of 428 bicycles (two spaces per locker). 33 lockers were added to UWMC Magnuson, UWMC BB/NN and Benson courtyards in December Table 3 shows the location, capacity and rented number of bicycle lockers. Table 3: May 2002 Bicycle Locker Campus Building Lockers Bike Capacity at Site Lockers Rented Percent Rented Central Guthrie Annex % Central Kincaid-SW % Central Roberts/Wilcox % Central Wind Tunnel % Central Benson % East Hec Ed % North Denny % North North Of Odegaard % North Padelford-N % North Smith/Gowen % South Bloedel C-10 Pkg Lot % South CHDD % South E Court-So Side % South Fisheries Center % South Hitchcock-W % South I-Court % South Magnuson Court % 3

6 Campus Building Lockers Bike Capacity at Site Lockers Rented Percent Rented South S1 Garage % South T-Court Lower % South T-Court Upper % South UWMC BB Tower % West Gould-S % West Ocean Sciences % West Publication Services % TOTAL % Source: University of Washington Transportation Office The majority of lockers, 121, are located in the south campus with a capacity of 242 bicycles. Table 4 shows the number of rented bicycle lockers by area. Table 4: May 2002 Bicycle Lockers by Campus Lockers Bike Capacity Number of Lockers Rented Percent Rented Central % North % South % West % East % Total % Source: University of Washington Transportation Office C. Bike Rooms For the first time, bikes were counted in the Chemistry Building bike room. The bike room has 5 toast racks, for a capacity of 75 bikes. There were 41 bikes parked there, for 55% utilization. D. Illegally Parked Bicycles 101 bicycles were found locked to trees, poles and railings around campus. This represents an increase from the 88 illegally parked bicycles in A majority, 96, were located at student dormitories including McMahon and Haggett Halls. This is still much lower than the 266 illegally parked bicycles counted in 1995, 4

7 largely due to educational efforts, and the addition of over 500 bicycle racks during this time period. Table 5 indicates that the greatest number of bicycles parked illegally was found in North campus area near student dormitories (McMahon & Haggett Halls). Facilities at residence halls are managed by the department of Housing and Food Services. Other illegally parked bicycles were located near the Stevens Courtyard, Savery Hall and Condon Hall. It is important to look at illegally parked bicycles to determine if new bicycle racks are needed in those locations. Since a majority of illegally parked bicycles were located near student dormitories, new rack placement for these locations was not considered. Table 5: 2002 Illegally Parked Bicycle Locations Campus Building/Location Illegally Parked Bicycles North McMahon 70 North Haggett Hall 17 West Stevens Courtyard 9 North Savery Hall 4 West Condon Hall 1 V. PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT AREAS Potential improvement areas for bicycle racks include high utilization areas and locations with over 75% utilization in the last three years. Under-capacity bicycle racks, particularly toast racks, indicate a potential source of movable racks. A. Over-Capacity Locations Table 6 lists bicycle racks at 75% or greater utilization in 2002, and notes their rates for the past two years. The purpose of noting these facilities is to look at the trends in the area to determine whether there is indeed a capacity problem. This information is then used to redistribute racks from underutilized locations. Table 6: 2002 Over-Capacity Bicycle Rack Locations Campus Building Name Rack Type Racks Central Johnson Annex - E Ribbon 3 122% 94% 61% North Haggett Custom % 43% 88% 5

8 Campus Building Name Rack Type Racks East Sno Ln. Hec Ed Overpass Toast 1 114% 114% 57% South Ocean Sciences - NW Toast 1 114% 67% 67% North Padelford-Entry Toast 2 107% 93% 100% West Parking Services Custom 2 100% 0% 100% South Hitchcock-E-(Lower) Rack % 100% 100% Central Bloedel-NW Rack % 50% 113% South S-1 Mid Level Toast 1 100% n/a 114% South CDMRC Clinic-W Rack % 75% 50% South K-Wing Ribbon 5 97% 86% 77% Central Greenhouse Toast 1 86% 100% 43% South CDMRC Clinic-N Rack % 100% 17% West Terry Lander-East Toast 5 83% 87% 80% North Hutchinson W Lower Toast 1 80% 60% 100% Central Health-Sci-Skywalk Ribbon 6 78% 35% 45% West Terry Lander-East Toast 2 77% 80% 70% Central Sieg-Hall-East Toast 2 77% 60% 93% South UWMC-Wing BB Toast 2 77% 90% 60% West Mercer-Covered Ribbon 4 75% 83% 94% South CDMRC Clinic-E Rack % 100% 50% Several of the consistently over-utilized locations are adjacent to student dormitories, including Terry-Lander Halls, Mercer Hall and Haggett Halls. Since bicycle racks near student dormitories are often used to store bikes, these areas were not considered for new rack placement at this time. It is more fitting if the Housing & Food Services department, that manages student dormitories, addresses student bike storage needs. Bike rack placement at Terry-Lander Hall can be improved to increase accessibility to the entire racks, thereby increasing overall capacity. Aside from the dormitory racks, the majority of over utilized locations are located on South and North campus sectors, particularly near the University of Washington Medical Center BB Wing, S-1 parking structure, K Wing, and the Clinic building. The South portion of campus includes the University of Washington Medical Center is well utilized by bicyclists and perhaps in need of additional bicycle racks. Other locations of over utilized racks include Johnson Annex, Bloedel, Greenhouse, Hec Ed overpass, Padelford, Hutchinson and Sieg Hall. 6

9 B. Over-Capacity Potential Improvement s Each of these locations were considered for new racks, considering the University will likely be ordering some additional half toast racks in Potential locations to place new racks were selected based on whether other bicycle racks were available near each location, if those racks were highly utilized, and if there was room at the location for additional racks. s such as Hec Ed overpass may have high utilization rates but no room for additional rack placement. Johnson Annex East is listed below, but racks may not be needed upon completion of the Suzzalo library construction in 2002 because many inaccessible racks in the area will then be available for bicycle parking. Of the locations listed in Table 6 above, the following are good locations to place additional new or relocated racks. Johnson Annex East CDMRC clinic building (there is an existing concrete pad near the entrance walkway that is perfect for a ½ toast rack) Greenhouse S-1 Mid level Hutchinson West Ocean Sciences Building BB/NN Courtyard Sieg Hall near HUB Health Sciences Skywalk C. Under-Capacity Locations Table 7 calls out locations of bicycle racks where 10% or lower utilization occurred in 2002 and notes the corresponding rate over the past few years. Usually a 25% or lower capacity is used to judge under capacity racks, however, this year because the count was conducted on an overcast instead of a sunny day, there were far more under-capacity racks. In 2001, 20 locations with capacity under 25% were recorded. In comparison, in 2002, 63 locations under 25% capacity were reported. The table excludes areas where only one rack is located; some racks that were not counted this year and others that were inaccessible due to ongoing construction. These locations are potential sources for bicycle facilities that could be relocated to higher utilized areas. 7

10 Campus Table 7: 2002 Under-Capacity Locations Building Name Rack Type Racks (2002) North Hansee West Toast 2 10% 27% 40% West Public. Svcs. (W44) Ribbon 2 9% 14% 9% West Fisheries Teaching Ribbon 2 9% 14% 27% North McMahon (Lower) Custom 39 8% 0% 10% Central Benton Lane EE Bldg. Ribbon 8 7% 17% 13% West Schmitz-E Toast 2 7% 27% 17% West Mercer-Courtyard (W) Toast 2 7% 90% 77% North Mackenzie SE Rack 3 8 6% 0% 13% Central Henry Art Gallery Ribbon 2 5% 9% 5% South UWMC - East Exp-SW Ribbon 2 5% 36% 23% North N22 Parking Lot (Hub) Toast 2 3% 33% 23% North Communications Ribbon 4 2% 4% 0% South UWMC-East Exp-W Ribbon 8 1% 0% 6% North Playhouse Ribbon 2 0% 60% 20% West Condon-E Entry Ribbon 3 0% 21% 9% Central Suzzallo-South Ribbon 4 0% 38% 19% Central Suzzallo-South Rack % 0% 26% North Mackenzie NE Toast 2 0% 53% 20% North Haggett DS-BB 2 0% 0% 0% North McMahon (Lower) SS 2 0% 0% 44% North McMahon NW DS-BB 2 0% 0% 33% North McMahon SW SS 2 0% 0% East Douglas Toast 2 0% 0% 20% Stevens Court-S Parkway Hsg Toast 2 0% 103% West Central Admn. Bldg./Grant Lane Ribbon 9 0% 15% 16% Central Elec Eng Toast 2 0% 0% 33% South Fisheries Ctr-N Rack 3 2 0% 0% 0% East Waterfront Act Ctr Toast 2 0% 29% 33% East Waterfront Act Ctr Toast 2 0% 0% 21% The following are racks that were found to be under-capacity three years in a row, with a sizable number of unused spaces. Full toast racks at: Douglas Annex Buildings Waterfront Activities Center Under the NE Pacific Skyway, near Hitchcock Hall East of Johnson Hall 8

11 Raitt Hall Hitchcock East covered racks S-1 top level Condon North Magnuson Courtyard With the exception of the Waterfront Activities Center (where use is higher at other times of the day), the above racks might be better utilized if moved to other areas. When adjusting racks they should be considered as good resource areas for underutilized full toast racks. Ribbon racks at: Publication Services (unknown) Benton Lane EE Building (sunk) Henry Art Gallery (sunk) Communications (unknown) UWMC East Expansion West (sunk) Condon Hall East Entry (flange) Administration Building (unknown) The type of mounting for the ribbon racks is noted in parentheses. Flangemounted (with bolts) are much easier to relocate than a ribbon rack that is sunk into concrete or asphalt. Custom or Rack-3 racks at: Lower McMahon Mackenzie Hall Haggett Hall Fisheries Center 9

12 D. Potential Toast Rack Source s In September, the University will need to relocate at least 5 toast racks to place in front of Husky stadium for the Men s Football season. Given the above and other low utilized racks, the following racks could be relocated. 1 toast rack from Douglas Annex 1 toast rack from H Wing Addition 2 toast racks on west side of UWMC Wing NW courtyard 1 toast rack from under the Hitchcock Hall skyway 1 or more toast racks from NE Raitt Hall 1 or more toast racks from north of Condon Hall 1 or more toast racks from east of Johnson Hall 1 or more covered toast racks from east of Hitchcock Hall 1 toast rack from the upper level of the S-1 garage 3 toast racks can be borrowed from the UWMC Magnuson Courtyard With the exception of toast racks at the UWMC, the above racks could be moved to the high-utilization improvement areas listed above. If racks are removed from UWMC locations for Husky games, they should be returned as bicycle facilities are in high demand in south campus. A number of racks were rearranged on-campus in Therefore, efforts in 2002 will likely be limited to Husky football rack relocations and responding to individualized requests. If convenient, some addition relocations could correspond with the Husky football rack placements. A purchase of half toast racks is planned for the summer or fall of These racks are more versatile than the larger toast racks. Many of these racks can be placed in the overutilized areas listed in Section B above. E. Bicycle Rack Maintenance The survey also functions to investigate and document any bicycle racks that need maintenance including vegetation removal or cut back, abandoned bikes removal, or issues regarding the best placement of the rack. The readjustment of racks could occur at any time throughout the 2002 year, but should likely be coordinated with the moving of other racks to minimize labor costs. 10

13 Vegetation should be trimmed at the following locations: UWMC BB/NN toast rack near valet parking booth Kirsten Aerospace Lab Rack-3 racks More NE toast racks Readjustment of existing racks could occur at the following locations: Waterfront Activities Center covered toast racks Ocean Sciences toast rack placement should be reevaluated to see if increased capacity could be achieved. Terry Lander East toast racks Kane West toast racks Greenhouse toast rack Wilson Annex toast rack needs to be moved closer to building and onto asphalt Loew North toast racks Shell House toast racks Other maintenance issues were noted at the following locations: Condon Hall East entry ribbon rack area needs garbage and other debris removed The ribbon rack area east of Mary Gates Hall may need additional lighting. There have also been drainage issues in this area over the past year. VI. Bicycle Facility Action Plan for 2002 Dorm and other tagged bike removal in Summer Maintenance issues addressed over Summer Placement of Husky Racks prior to 1 st game in September Consider other rack relocations at same time as Husky racks. Order and place additional half toast racks. Husky rack removal/ reallocation in December

14 Ongoing response to rack requests across campus. 12