1B Improved decision support for maintenance of cycle paths

Challenge

Knowledge about the deterioration of bicycle paths is limited, making it difficult to determine optimal design and plan maintenance. While roads for motor vehicles mainly degrade due to repeated traffic loads, bicycle paths are instead affected by extreme loads from heavy vehicles. Excavations for infrastructure maintenance beneath bicycle paths, as well as root intrusion, are other frequent issues. Deterioration often begins on the surface of the bicycle path, directly impacting cyclists’ safety and comfort. Combined with a greater variety of bicycle types and climate change, this creates a need for new, effective methods for design and maintenance.

Solution

Through a mapping of municipal cycling infrastructure in Sweden, theoretical assumptions about damage and its causes have been analyzed. The project also includes studies examining the load-bearing capacity of typical bicycle path constructions under various climate conditions and traffic loads. In addition, a new tool, specifically developed for condition assessments of bicycle paths, has been evaluated. Together, these efforts contribute to increased knowledge about the deterioration of bicycle paths and how it affects cyclists.

Societal Impact

1. Direct feedback to stakeholders regarding the condition of the cycling network.
2. Improved ability to measure and analyze cyclists’ experiences of the infrastructure.
3. Optimized design and maintenance of cycling infrastructure.