Cycle Route Network Development and Evaluation Using Spatial Multi-Criteria Analysis and Shortest Path Analysis

Abstract

Cities today face many urban challenges and sustainable transportation is one of these. Cycling has been proposed as one of a basket of solutions as it is an efficient way of travelling in urban areas over short to medium distances for a variety of trip types. The planning of cycle route networks is, however, challenging as traditional methods are incapable of adequately dealing with the conflicting objectives of various stakeholders and multiple spatial and non-spatial criteria used to measure these. Because of this, traditional methods are criticised for not being open and transparent, leaving many stakeholders dissatisfied. Moreover, the route qualities desired by cyclists are rarely adequately included in the identification of optimal routes. To address these concerns, the proposed method takes advantage of spatial multi-criteria analysis (SMCA), which combines the powerful set of tools for the manipulation and analysis of spatial information provided by geographical information systems (GIS), and the techniques available in multi-criteria analysis (MCA) for structuring decision problems, and designing, evaluating and prioritising alternatives. This paper uses SMCA to develop a network of optimal cycle routes, which focuses around the needs of cyclists while taking account of other stakeholder requirements, for a defined area in the metropolitan of Port Elizabeth in South Africa. The quantitative scores assigned to routes allows for a subjective evaluation of alternatives, and the directness of routes calculated in the final step of the method can be used as an additional metric in the prioritisation of planned infrastructure upgrades. The case study showcases the method’s ability to act as a decision support system for cycle route network planning at a strategic level.