Search results

The purpose of this paper is an investigation of driving behaviour and impacts on emissions at two traffic junctions.

A signalised junction and a roundabout in Edinburgh have been selected. An instrumented car has been used and a GPS to monitor driving activities as well as a gas analyser to monitor the vehicle's emissions during the evening peak hour.

Vehicles’ emissions are affected by a large number of factors including characteristics of the engine and the vehicle, characteristics of the road, the fuel used and driving behaviour.

Different methods and approaches have been used to investigate the behaviour of vehicles at various traffic junctions. The main aim, however, has mostly been to reduce travel times as well as traffic delays and queues at the junction. Consideration of environmental impacts has also been made, but often as a by‐product of congestion reduction and not as a main aim.

Purpose – This chapter reviews planning and design approaches for cycle traffic in order to direct future thinking towards the critical aspects of network design that will have a beneficial impact on the utility and nature of the environment for cycling.

Approach – This chapter provides a critique of the approach of adopting a so-called hierarchy of solutions frequently adopted in western countries with low levels of cycling use.

Findings – The guiding principle for designing routes for cycle traffic is that the bicycle is a vehicle capable of speed and, as a consequence, links and junctions need to be designed according to appropriate geometric design standards. In addition, owing to the nature of the cycle and rider combination, the oft repeated Dutch characteristics for good design for cycle traffic of coherence, directness, attractiveness, safety and comfort remain firm.

Practical implications – The practical implications of the outcomes from the chapter are a method of approach for planning infrastructure for cycle traffic which starts with an analysis of demand and works through to the creation of suitable networks for cycle traffic which are grounded in, and extended from, suitably regulated existing highway networks.

Social implications – An extensive transport system suitable in nature for cycle traffic will attract a wide base of users and consequently allow for the benefits of cycling to be captured.

Value of chapter – The value of the chapter rests in its emphasis on the need to treat cycling as a distinct transport mode and, consequentially, planning and engineering needs to be undertaken in a way conducive to providing the basic necessary infrastructure for such a distinct mode.

Under deteriorating conditions of travelling in urban areas, especially city centers, prioritization of public transport is one of the main ways of its enhancing. In developed countries sophisticated control traffic systems are being implemented while in developing countries such solutions due to implementation cost are very rare. The purpose of this paper is to assess public transport operational effectiveness under diverse operational schemes present in two similar in size and traffic characteristics cities. The assessment is based on average journey times and speeds during peak and off peak hours.

The methodology includes measurements and estimates of bus rides through in-field measurements in Edinburgh, UK and in Bialystok, Poland. In-field evaluations have been conducted using average speed and travel times. The data were collected by utilizing a portable GPS data logger that allowed monitoring and recording bus position along tested streets in one second intervals. Traffic optimization in Edinburgh is provided by separated bus lanes and control urban traffic system while in Bialystok the only prioritization is supported by bus lanes. The research areas in Edinburgh and in Bialystok covered streets in city centers and adjacent districts.

The findings show large operational potential in developing separated bus lanes in city centers of developing countries when due to cost they cannot afford implementing advanced ITS solutions. The introduction of bus lanes should be proceeded even at the expense of individual users. It has been found that well developed road network in city center with separated bus lanes can provide operating speed at comparable levels to speed of buses operating along lower volume corridors.

The comparison of bus lanes working under different traffic management conditions was carried out. Conducted analyses showed great potential of proper planning strategy of road network development toward the improvement of public transport performance.