Work

The Potential Impact of Cycling on Urban Transport Energy and Modal Share: A GIS-Based Methodology

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: This article presents a methodology to estimate the maximum potential impact of a well-built and conserved cycling infrastructure, measured as modal share for accessibility trips, as well as the associated transport energy that can be saved in those trips. The methodology uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to estimate active trip probabilities, from which the output variables can be obtained. It was applied to a case study of a mid-sized city in Southern Europe, and results show that an adequate cycling infrastructure can achieve cycling mode share in that city on par with the world’s most cycling-friendly cities. Concerning transport energy, a full-cycling scenario is estimated to reduce fossil energy intensity by approximately 20%, mainly by inducing a mode change for residents on the closest outskirts. It is also argued that cycling investment in commuting routes will have the most impact on reducing fossil transport energy.

Source: ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information

DOI: 10.3390/ijgi12020048

Authors: João Monteiro, Nuno Sousa, Eduardo Natividade-Jesus, João Coutinho-Rodrigues

Institutions: Centro de Investigação do Território Transportes e Ambiente, Universidade Aberta, Institute for Systems Engineering and Computers, Universidade Politécnica de Coimbra, University of Coimbra

Language: English

Topic: Urban Transport and Accessibility

Subfield: Transportation

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Sustainable cities and communities, Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,891