Bikeability scenario planning tool: Stage 2

Cycling participation typically increases in contexts where safe facilities are provided. In response, local governments are demonstrating growing interest in providing more facilities. There is a heightened need for robust and accurate decision support tools to inform the prioritisation and placement of new cycling infrastructure.

This project aims to further develop the existing UNSW Bikeability Scenario Planning tool by creating new models to address local government and TfNSW needs. New elements will be integrated into an updated tool.

The tool will support evidence-based planning and prioritisation of cycling infrastructure by enabling scenario testing, forecasting cycling uptake, and informing strategic directions at both state and local government levels.

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Participants

• Transport for NSW
• University of NSW

Project background

Cycling participation typically increases when safe cycling facilities are provided. The magnitude of this increase depends on contextual factors and the type of facility. More accurate decision support tools are needed to guide where new cycling infrastructure should be built within a fiscally constrained environment. The UNSW Cycling Infrastructure Scenario Builder is a web-based interactive decision support tool that is designed to facilitate the planning of cycling infrastructure.

The tool allows users to model different cycling infrastructure scenarios on digital maps and estimate the potential increase in cycling uptake. By providing evidence-based insights, it helps local and state governments make informed decisions about which routes to prioritise for investment. Additionally, the tool’s outputs can strengthen funding applications by demonstrating the projected benefits of new cycling infrastructure. The tool incorporates a wide range of cycling-related spatial maps and data layers to provide contextual information and visual guidance. This enhances the interactive experience while planning for cycling infrastructure.

The scenario tool provides an additional evidence-based method for planning cycling networks, testing and evaluating proposed facilities from local or state government plans. It could be used to identify health and economic benefits of cycling infrastructure provision, and prioritisation of cycling infrastructure projects.

The tool synthesises cycling related data from various sources within a single publicly available platform and can also be useful for training and educational purposes. The tool is designed to be extendable to enable new data layers, additional transport modes such as walking, and new jurisdictions outside the current range.

Project objectives

The project aims to enhance the existing Bikeability Scenario Planning tool by introducing new functionalities. These will include:

• Expanding the geographical coverage to cover the Newcastle LGA;
• Improving the understanding of cycling trip purposes and its relationship to public transport, enabling comparison of different scenarios; and
• Adding new network links in areas currently lacking streets or pathways such as proposed development areas.

Please note …

This page will be a living record of this project. As it matures, hits milestones, etc., we’ll continue to add information, links, images, interviews and more. Watch this space!