Citation

Cairney P. Road Transp. Res. 2003; 12(3): 83-94.

Affiliation

ARRB Transport Research Ltd., Vermont South, Vic. 3133, Australia

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Australian Road Research Board)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

User expectations are a key driver of asset maintenance standards. Specifications for a build-operate-transfer contract for a premier bicycle and multi-use trail have been developed for roughness, texture and skid resistance. Roughness standards have been established on the basis of user acceptability ratings. However, riders are generally not aware of the latter two variables, so these aspects of the specifications have been determined on the basis of the long-term performance of existing assets. The paper describes the process for selecting sites, measuring the physical characteristics of the paths at these sites, obtaining cyclists ratings, and correlating the cyclist ratings with the physical measurements. In the case of asphalt paths, user ratings were correlated with roughness measured by the ARRB Walking Profiler. This was not appropriate for concrete paths, due to the very limited range of roughness and to discomfort being caused by vertical displacement between slabs rather than roughness per se. To establish acceptability limits for concrete paths, riders rated the discomfort of riding over chipboard sheets of different thicknesses. Different specifications are proposed for asphalt and concrete paths, but aimed at providing equivalent comfort levels, to the extent that this is possible. Application of this procedure to other types of facility is discussed.

Language: en