> Mobile-Device Data, Non-Motorized Traffic Monitoring, and Estimation of Annual Average Daily Bicyclist and Pedestrian Flows
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Mobile-Device Data, Non-Motorized Traffic Monitoring, and Estimation of Annual Average Daily Bicyclist and Pedestrian Flows

Status:  Complete
Report Date:  07/22/2024

Summary:

Constructing and maintaining safe road networks for bicyclists, pedestrians and other nonmotorized road users require knowing the numbers and destinations of these users. Accurately estimating the volume of these users has been challenging because monitoring methods are limited compared to vehicle traffic counters. Data from mobile devices, however, offers a potential source of traveler routes. Researchers combined mobile data from existing platforms such as StreetLight and Strava with monitored bicyclist and pedestrian data to produce a data visualization tool that estimates bicyclist and pedestrian traffic within the Twin Cities metro area. Despite the inherent limitations of mobile data sources, such as inconsistent geographic coverage and demographic representation, MnDOT has begun using the visualization tool for approximations of bicyclist and pedestrian traffic in the Twin Cities area. Additional research is needed to improve the accuracy of the tool so estimates could support infrastructure decisions.

Final Deliverables:

Related Materials:

Related Research:

Project Personnel:

Principal Investigator:  Raphael Stern
Co-Principal Investigator:  Greg Lindsey, Michael Levin
Technical Liaison:  Michael Petesch, Suzanne Scotty
Project Coordinator:  Brent Rusco
Panel Members: 
    Alex Blenkush - Hennepin County
    Alexandra de Alcuaz - Transportation System Management
    Cathryn Cragun - District 7
    Charlie Moore - Arrowhead Regional Development Commission (ARDC)
    Chris Kartheiser - City of Minneapolis
    Dan Patterson - Hennepin County
    Darin Newman - Natural Resources Department
    David Kratz - Metro District
    Eric DeVoe - Traffic Engineering
    Heidi Schallberg - Metropolitan Council
    Ian Vaagenes - Transportation System Management
    Jake Schutt - Metro District
    Jesse Thornsen - Transportation System Management