Memorandum

Date     January 24, 2014

To          Efi Pagitsas, Traffic Analysis and Design Group Manager, MPO Staff

From    Beth Isler, Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator and Livability Program Manager, MPO Staff

Re          2013 Bicycle and Pedestrian Data Collection

This memorandum summarizes the results of the 2013 bicycle and pedestrian count program.

1         Introduction

The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) collects data about the number of people who are biking and walking at locations throughout the region. The data are used to evaluate long-term volume trends, estimate bicycle and pedestrian demand, and assess changes in usage before and after projects are implemented. This information helps transportation planners and government officials make decisions for bicycle and pedestrian programs and projects, including project prioritization and funding allocation. It also helps to justify investment in bicycle and pedestrian facilities as an integral component of the region’s transportation network.

Although the MPO organizes counts only for the Boston region, it serves as a repository for counts gathered from throughout the state. Counts are generally collected by volunteers, municipalities, and other organizations and typically occur during the months of May, July, and September. The data are publicly available in the online Bicycle/Pedestrian Count Database, which can be accessed from the MPO’s website at www.bostonmpo.org.

2         Methodology

This section describes how the count data is currently collected in the Boston region. Data are gathered for both off- and on-street users. Off-street counts record walkers and bicyclists on trails or shared-use paths. On-street counts collect the numbers of

• pedestrians on sidewalks,
• bicyclists riding on streets, and
• bicyclists riding on sidewalks.

Data were collected in May, July and September of 2013 according to the recommendations of the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project (NBPD), an Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)-sanctioned program.

3         Results

In 2013, 47 counts were conducted at 20 locations around the state, as shown in Table 1.

Table 1

Locations Counted in 2013

Of these locations, 14 are within the Boston MPO region and the remaining six are outside of the region. Eight locations are on-street while the rest are trails or shared-use paths.

The hour during which the highest volumes were observed was determined for each location; these volumes are shown in Figure 1. For the majority of weekend counts, the highest hour volumes occurred during midday (consistent with the NBPD project guidelines); during the weekday counts the highest hour volumes occurred during the afternoon (PM). Historical data and analysis of each of location counted in 2013 is provided in Appendix (attached).

Figure 1

2013 Volumes during Hour of Highest Observed Usage

As shown, the Minuteman Bikeway has the highest volumes of all the locations counted in 2013. However, the greatest number of all-day counts took place at locations along the Minuteman Bikeway, ensuring that the peak hour was captured. Other locations that were only counted for a couple hours may not have been recording peak usage.

Of the 11 day-long counts, nine took place on the weekend and all were on trails. The weekend data are shown in Figure 2, and the weekday data are show in Figure 3. The weekend trail data likely reflect recreational rather than commuter use.

In Figure 2, there is no obvious reason for the unique data line shown for the Minuteman Bikeway at Lexington Depot on the Sunday in May. The most likely reason would be a change in weather, although without more data there is no way of knowing.

Figure 2

2013 Weekend Day-Long Count Results

Figure 3

2013 Weekday Day-Long Count Results

6         Conclusion

The MPO plans to continue collecting bicycle and pedestrian data in 2014. Developing a more robust data-collection program is essential in order to help inform bicycling and walking planning and project prioritization.

BI/bi

Attachments  

APPENDIX. Count Data

APPENDIX. COUNT DATA

A.1      Bedford: Minuteman Trail — Between South rd AND Wiggins Ave

TABLE 1

Peak Hour Volumes

FIGURE 1

12-Hour Counts

FIGURE 2

Weekday Peak Hour Volumes

FIGURE 3

Weekend Peak Hour Volumes

A.2      Cambridge: Minuteman Trail — north of route 2/alewife station

TABLE 2

Peak Hour Volumes

FIGURE 4

12-Hour Counts

FIGURE 5

Weekday Peak Hour Volumes

FIGURE 6

Weekend Peak Hour Volumes

A.3      Lexington: MINUTEMAN TRAIL — LEXINGTON DEPOT/EAST OF HANCOCK ST/MERIAM ST/STATION WAY

TABLE 3

Peak Hour Volumes

FIGURE 7

12-Hour Weekend Counts

FIGURE 8

Weekday Peak Hour Volumes

FIGURE 9

Weekend Peak Hour Volumes

A.4      ARLINGTON: MINUTEMAN TRAIL AND SWAN PLACE

TABLE 4

Peak Hour Volumes

FIGURE 10

12-Hour Weekday Counts

FIGURE 11

Weekday Peak Hour Volumes

FIGURE 12

Weekend Peak Hour Volumes

A.5      HUDSON: ASSABET RIVER TRAIL — RTE 85 CROSSING

TABLE 5

Peak Hour Volumes

FIGURE 13

Weekday Peak Hour Volumes

FIGURE 14

Weekend Peak Hour Volumes

A.6      BOSTON: SOUTHWEST CORRIDOR TRAIL — 100 FT NORTH OF HEATH ST

TABLE 6

Peak Hour Volumes

FIGURE 15

Weekday Peak Hour Volumes

FIGURE 16

Weekend Peak Hour Volumes

A.7      CAMBRIDGE: KENDALL SQUARE — BROADWAY/MAIN ST/3RD ST

TABLE 7

Peak Hour Volumes

FIGURE 17

Peak Hour Bicycle Volumes

A.8      SOUTHWICK: SOUTHWICK RAIL TRAIL CONGAMOND RD & RTE 168 CROSSING

TABLE 8

Peak Hour Volumes

FIGURE 18

12-Hour Counts

FIGURE 19

Weekday Peak Hour Volumes

FIGURE 20

Weekend Peak Hour Volumes

A.9      SALISBURY: OLD EASTERN MARSH TRAIL AND FRIEDENFELS STREET

TABLE 9

Peak Hour Volumes

FIGURE 21

12-Hour Counts

FIGURE 22

Weekday Peak Hour Volumes

FIGURE 23

Weekend Peak Hour Volumes

A.10    NEWBURYPORT: CLIPPER CITY RAIL TRAIL AT WASHINGTON STREET

TABLE 10

Peak Hour Volumes

FIGURE 24

12-Hour Counts

FIGURE 25

Peak Hour Volumes

A.11    BEDFORD: GREAT RD AT SOUTH RD; SHAWSHEEN RD AT PAGE RD; CONCORD RD AT MCMAHON RD

TABLE 11

Peak Hour Volumes

FIGURE 26

Weekday Peak Hour Bicycle Volumes

A.12    METHUEN: METHUEN RAIL TRAIL AT RAILROAD ST PARKING LOT

TABLE 12

Peak Hour Volumes

FIGURE 27

Weekday Peak Hour Volumes

FIGURE 28

Weekend Peak Hour Volumes

A.13    NEEDHAM: KENDRICK ST AND HUNTINg RD

TABLE 13

Peak Hour Volumes

FIGURE 29

Weekday Peak Hour Bicycle Volumes

FIGURE 30

Weekend Peak Hour Bicycle Volumes

A.14    WESTFIELD/SOUTHWICK: COLUMBIA GREENWAY RAIL TRAIL AT SOUTHWICK BORDER

TABLE 14

Peak Hour Volumes

FIGURE 31

12-Hour Counts

FIGURE 32

Weekday Peak Hour Volumes

FIGURE 33

Weekend Peak Hour Volumes

A.15    AMESBURY: AMESBURY RIVERWALK/POWWOW WALK

TABLE 15

Peak Hour Volumes

FIGURE 34

Weekday Peak Hour Volumes

A.16    Quincy: hancock st at Washington st; nepoNset bridge at quincy shore drive; Wollaston beach at 790 quincy shore drive

TABLE 16

Peak Hour Volumes

FIGURE 35

Peak Hour Bicycle Volumes