Space Syntax lab have done a lot of work on this sort of this, as you are probably aware. They worked on the Millennium Bridge, for example. Space Syntax's consulting arm does this sort of work (what would be the effect if we added a link here?) around the world.
Their work is normally only measuring pedestrian behaviour, not that of cyclists, but it would be interesting to see if any of the second generation of Space Syntax researchers has done anything on it?
Cheers,
Matthew.
-----Original Message-----
From: Cycling and Society Research Group discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Steven Melia
Sent: 17 October 2012 15:46
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Research on Short-cuts and their Effects on Cycling/Walking
Is anyone aware of any specific research into the effect of creating short-cuts on cycling or walking behaviour?
I am supervising a dissertation, where the student is planning to investigate the effects of a new footbridge on a housing estate which was previously enclosed by high fences. His literature search hasn't found anything similar, which seems quite surprising.
I have written about the principle of 'filtered permeability' based on observations rather than specific research (Melia 2012 http://eprints.uwe.ac.uk/16905/). Many studies, particularly in North America, have tried to measure the effect of neighbourhood permeability in general. Most of these are deeply unsatisfying - usually failing to distinguish between permeability for motor vehicles and permeability for other modes.
The only study I have ever found which looks at this in a more sophisticated way is Franks and Hawkins (2008: http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2008/cmhc-schl/nh18-23/NH18-23-108-013E.pdf).
There has been some monitoring of Sustrans' Connect 2 programme, but I haven't found anything which specifically tries to answer the question: what difference does it make when you build a short-cut for cyclists and pedestrians?
Has anyone come across anything else which might be relevant?
Best Regards
Dr Steve Melia
Senior Lecturer
Centre for Transport & Society
Department of Planning and Architecture
University of the West of England
Coldharbour Lane
Bristol BS16 1QY
0117 328 3267
______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by the Symantec Email Security.cloud service.
For more information please visit http://www.symanteccloud.com
______________________________________________________________________
|