Understanding cycling behaviours of commuters: Methodological issues

* AFFILIATION

Northumbria Research Conference - May 2012 Godwin Yeboah*, PhD Student, 2nd Year. Supervisors: Dr. Seraphim Alvanides* & Dr. Emine M. Thompson*
METHOD
Participants (i.e., Utility Cyclists) carried the GPS device for one week (7 days) while filling self-administered questionnaire forms. Data collection wave: October November 2011 Participation: 81 out of 118 cyclists
Further analysis Preparation: of materials
(Online & offline questionnaires, travel diary, flyer, brochure, poster, email content, mailing list)

INTRODUCTION
This poster gives an illustration of methodological issues encountered during a recent Global Positioning System (GPS) based personal travel survey on everyday utility cycling is presented. Utility cycling is defined as any (bi) cycling which is not done primarily for fitness, recreation such as cycle touring, or sport such as cycle racing, but simply as a means of transport. The results of the survey are presented. Additionally, GeoTime with ArcGIS, OpenStreetMap (OSM), and Google technologies are used to map and visualised a sample of the collected data.

CHALLENGES
Evaluation and procurement of GPS devices Preparation of survey materials and meeting arrangements with participants Data cleaning and extraction of cycle tracks

SPACE-TIME VISUALISATION
Stepwise flow (main survey) Stepwise flow (during testing) GeoTime Software
Export

Google Earth

STUDY AREA
Area: in & around Newcastle upon Tyne LEGEND HOME WORK/SCHOOL STUDY AREA

Data collection:
Participant carries GPS device and fills travel diary. Fills other forms-only on first and last days of survey week

Tested survey materials with 7 people before survey

Evaluated 4 GPS devices: i-gotU GT-600; Atmel BTT08; Canmore GT-750 (L); and Qstarz BT-Q1000XT (selected) Over 362 email exchanges

Invitation: of potential
participants using - Emails, Notice Boards, Handing over flyers/brochures, Twitter, & Surveymonkey.com

Background map: OpenStreetMap 2012

Recruitment: face-to-face
meeting with participants; introducing and handing over GPS device with travel diary & questionnaire form

Screening: Mainly cyclists

with home or work/school location in Newcastle area whiles grouping invitees into cyclists and potential cyclists.

Overview

Background map: Google Maps 2012

GPS status LED Power jack (mini USB type)

WHY CYCLING?
This work is, in part, a response to existing calls, from literature, for further research to incorporate the investigation and discovery of cyclists perception and experiences (Skinner & Rose, 2007; Forsyth & Krizek, 2011); to support urban designers as well as cycling policy interventions and transportation engineers and thereby increase cycling uptake.

OFF/NAV/OFF options

Qstarz GPS & Usage

Exploratory analysis of collected data Analysis and visualisation of revealed movement patterns (i.e., actual route and destination choices) using Space-Time Cube Reconstruction of travel behaviour of cyclists using agent based modelling and simulation (ABMS) techniques Cycle Track Modelling (CTM)

FUTURE WORK

Battery status LED (Red/Green) Charging GPS with mini USB cable to the PC/laptop/etc

SELECTED REFERENCES
Forsyth, A. & Krizek, K. (2011) 'Urban Design: Is there a Distinctive View from the Bicycle?', Journal of Urban Design, 16 (4), pp. 531-549. Skinner, D. & Rose, P. (2007) 'Hell is other Cyclist: rethinking transport and identity', in Horton, D., Rosen, P. & Cox, P. (eds.) Cycling and Society. Aldershot, UK: Ashgate Publishing Ltd, pp. 83-96.

Data Cleaning

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Many thanks to Northumbria Graduate School for financing the cost for printing the poster. Special thanks to Northumbria University for funding this project. To all those who participated in the survey, special thanks for your support. Thanks to Oculus Info, Inc for providing GeoTime Software under special license for this research. To my Supervisors, I am grateful!

RAW DATAMESSY!

Cleaned DATANot MESSY!