BACKGROUND

Active transportation modes have become an increasingly important element of transportation networks in urban, suburban, and rural communities alike. Active transportation networks and infrastructure contribute toward efforts to reach a wide variety of transportation goals related to issues such as mobility, accessibility, emissions reduction, public health, equity, quality of life, economic development, and more. 

While public interest in active transportation such as walking, biking, and rolling grows, many transportation agencies are challenged to fully understand and communicate the true costs and benefits of these modes in a decision-making context. One area of particular challenge is the integration of data on active transportation into decision-making. Data requirements for decision-making are particularly of concern as the interest in investing in active transportation grows. Not only is access to data an issue, but also how to interpret, understand, and apply data to make better and more informed decisions about current and future transportation networks.   

Research is needed to provide informed technical direction to transportation and other professionals on how to identify, access, collect, store, interpret, understand, and apply active transportation data in transportation planning, design, operations and maintenance, safety, performance management, funding, and other decision-making. 

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this research is to develop a guide on how to identify, access, collect, store, interpret, understand, analyze, and use active transportation data in transportation-related decision-making processes. 

The guide should, at a minimum, include the following elements: 

1. An organized compendium or matrix of active transportation data sources with information on how to access, collect, understand, and apply these resources in a decision-making context. The compendium should provide an easy organizational structure for summarizing the data types and sources, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of each data source, and summarizing the data sources that are best for application in different analytical and decision types. The compendium should be contained within the guide but can be designed for dissemination and use as an independent product.

2. Qualitative and quantitative data and data sources for informing different needs and performance of active transportation in a decision-making context; 

3. Instructions on how to select, interpret, understand, and apply active transportation data at all phases and milestones of transportation decision-making;

4. Case studies or other illustrative applications of different types and sources of active transportation data in practice;

5. Content and direction related to the unique needs of urban, rural, and suburban areas as well as statewide, regional, and local-level decision contexts; and

6. Content and direction appropriate for decision-making by agencies with different levels of experience and maturity using active transportation data. 

 Anticipated deliverables include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• A guide to the use of active transportation data in transportation decision-making, with a focus on accessing, maintaining, processing, interpreting, and applying data to specific decisions and decision types;
• A compendium of active transportation data sources that summarizes methods to access, collect, and manage each data source; the benefits and challenges of using each data source; and potential uses of each data source in decision-making;
• A stand-alone technical memorandum that identifies implementation opportunities and lays out a process for disseminating and encouraging pilot application or other implementation of the products of this research in practice; and
• A stand-alone conduct of research report documenting the project activities.

STATUS: A contract has been awarded on this project to begin September 2, 2024.