The integration of Cycling & Light Rapid Transit / Hugh McClintock & Dave Morris Institute of Urban Planning School of the Built Environment Nottingham University, GB
Project Partners Department for Transport (DfT) / Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Future Integrated Transport (FIT) Research Programme Nottingham City Council Nottinghamshire County Council Bike rail consultancy (cycle parking)
Focus of Research Safety implications for cyclists of LRT and LRT-related infrastructure
Focus of Research Cycle parking at tram stops and interchanges
Focus of Research International experience of bike access on trams
Safety Potential negative impacts: More risk when sharing with LRT on narrower streets
LRT in Narrow Streets Croydon Basle
Safety Potential negative impacts: Crossing tracks at acute angles
Crossing Tracks Sheffield Karlsruhe
Safety Potential negative impacts: Tram stops and other pinch points Complex junctions
Pinch-points / Junctions Pinch point Bilston Road, Wolverhampton Complex junction, Bellevue Platz,Zurich
Safety HMRI (UK Regulator): Cyclists should not be excluded from narrower roads with trams or other preferred routes
Safety Develop solutions: Facilitate safe continued use of LRT corridor Alternative cycle routes for those who wish
Safety Key lesson: The need from the outset for systematic consideration of likely impact on cyclists Alfred Peter, Maitre d Oeuvre, Strasbourg Tram
Maintain Cycle Access Severed cycle route, Sheffield University tram stop
Parallel cycle provision & safe crossings Re-allocated road space, Freiburg Manchester Metrolink
Indirect cycle path crossing Signalised cycle turning, Basle Manchester Metrolink Phase 3
Illuminated Tram-path Markers Amsterdam (Photo: Tony Russell)
Alternative Routes Nottingham Parallel cycle route, Freiburg
Safety Potential positive impacts: Reduced traffic New cycle routes alongside LRT Wider traffic-calming benefits
Improved Cycle Links West Midlands Metro Strasbourg
Wider Traffic-Calming Benefits 20KPH Zone, Freiburg
Safety Promotion Road safety advice and publicity For cyclists For LRT drivers For all other road users, especially drivers
Safety Guidance Nottingham NET
Awareness: Site-specific signage Portland, Oregon Basle Zurich
Awareness: Site-specific signage Melbourne Graz Photos: Michael Yeates
Awareness: Site-specific signage Nottingham (DfT approved Oct 2003) Tram Pinch sign, Owlerton, Sheffield 1950s
Safety Record full details of any accidents and problems Close liaison with all, e.g. users, operators, police, hospitals, local authorities etc.
2. Cycle Parking Helps combined use of bikes and trams, for longer trips, and increased passenger numbers
Cycle Parking Take care in siting, installation and management Quality, quantity and security all very important, taking account of all local factors influencing current and future demand
Cycle Parking at Tram Stops Strasbourg Freiburg
Cycle Parking at Transport Interchanges Freiburg Basle
Back-up, in case of bad weather or mechanical breakdown 3. Cycle Carriage on Trams Integration Reasons in favour: + can beat overall car journey times Cycle access widens passenger catchment and complements parking at stops and links to local cycle network Useful option for cyclists on longer trips or onward journeys
Safety Cycle Carriage on Trams Reasons against: Access conflicts at tram stops Boarding conflicts Inconvenience or injury to passengers or damage to clothing Increased risk during emergency braking or evacuation
Cycle Carriage on Trams Operational Reasons against: Reduced capacity Increased boarding delays Potential damage to LRV
Cycle Carriage on Trams Cycle carriage can work well
Cycle Carriage on Trams Cycle carriage can work well With a range of vehicle and infrastructure changes, where necessary Appropriate access restrictions
Increased Delays? Off-peak bicycle access can have less impact upon dwell-times than peak-hour boarding delays or the needs of other passenger groups Hanover / Berlin
Passenger Conflicts? Shared doorway, Basle Ramp-boarding doorway, Bremen Wheelchair access to low-floor area, Basle
Vehicle Design Process Barcelona (2004) Minnesota (2004)
Dedicated Bike Rack Portland
Bike Rack in Shared-Use Area Bike racks in low-floor centre section, Basle
Flexible Space used by all passengers High floor tram, Karlsruhe Paris
Flexible Space used by all passengers Hanover Zurich
Cycle Carriage: UK Passenger Survey: Pedal Pushers, Sheffied
Cycle Carriage: UK DLR, Docklands Triathlon
Cycle Carriage on Trams Experiment Develop access conditions to meet local conditions Ensure priority to other passengers especially disabled people
Cycle Carriage on Trams Experiment Wide publicity for all users Enforce conditions and monitor comments from different users!
Cycle Carriage on Trams Experiment Modify or withdraw in case of problems Relax conditions if successful
Regulating Cycle Access: Common Approaches Peak-hour ban; Limited number of bikes during off-peak; Permit scheme: Limits numbers; Identifies users; Speeds boarding times. Boarding priority for ALL other passengers; Bikes to be positioned in a designated location; Bicycles not to be left unattended Bikes must be clean; Bike access can be refused at any time, for safety reasons.
Passenger Information & Regulations San Deigo Street Trolley (includes passenger priority rules)
Public Transport: ACCESS FOR ALL Bicycles increasingly regarded as part of a progressive, Open Access transport system, including improved access for prams and passengers with reduced mobility Barcelona (Due to open 2004)
Public Transport: ACCESS FOR ALL Our policy is intentionally bike-friendly. We carry bikes free of charge. Our light rail vehicle is fully accessible to all users, including wheelchair users, carers with strollers and cyclists. Abigail Goldberg, CEO: Metro Pty Transport, Sydney! Public transport should start from the premise of Accessibility For All. Michael Yeates, Accessibility Auditor/ Convenor: Public Transport Alliance & Bicycle User Research Group
Integration of Bikes & Trams: A New Idea? New York, 1880
Contact Details Hugh McClintock & Dave Morris Institute of Urban Planning School of the Built Environment University of Nottingham, GB University Park Nottingham, (GB) - NG7 2RD tel. +44 115 951 4875, fax. +44 115 951 3159 email: Hugh.McClintock@nottingham.ac.uk