00795316

Component

A high incidence of bicycle usage for personal travel is desirable, assuming it is associated with a corresponding decrease in car-based transport. In addition to environmental benefits, cycling provides considerable health benefits. During winter, weather conditions are significant in deciding whether or not to cycle, but road conditions are also important, although it is not certain that improved road standards could increase cycling usage. The relationship between improved winter maintenance standards and the benefit for society is complex and needs to be further studied. During February and March 1999, a pilot study of unconventional methods for snow clearance and skid-control was performed in Linkoping, Sweden. One method with good results involved a front-mounted sweeper for snow clearance combined with a brine spreader for deicing. This method was further examined in a large-scale field study during the winter of 1999/2000. Both these studies are presented in this paper, with the main focus on how to evaluate road standards. Such evaluation methods include observations of road conditions and measurements of friction. Literature reviews concerning winter maintenance methods for cycleways used in Sweden are also included in the paper. Winter maintenance methods on cycleways used today are often adapted to the prevailing conditions on motor traffic roads, but are not necessarily the best methods for bicycle traffic. The methods most suitable for cycleways with regard to accessibility and total cost for cyclists are needed. A combination of different methods adjusted to present weather and road conditions is most likely to be the best solution.

Session B

English

13p

2000

Ninth AASHTO/TRB Maintenance Management Conference

Appendices (1) ; Figures (3) ; Photos (3) ; References; Tables (2)

Bicycle lanes; Bikeways; Deicers (Equipment); Snow and ice control; Snowplows; Standards; Winter maintenance

Sweden

Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Terminals and Facilities; Vehicles and Equipment; I62: Winter Maintenance

TRIS, TRB

Jul 18 2000 12:00AM

• AN INVESTIGATION OF VOLUME, SAFETY, AND VEHICLE SPEEDS DURING WINTER STORM EVENTS
• CENTRALLY ORGANIZED TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CONTROL TEAMS - PILOTING AN INDEPENDENT PROFIT CENTER
• PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT FOR SNOW AND ICE CONTROL ACTIVITIES: A PILOT PROJECT IN WASHINGTON STATE
• SYNERGY WITH SAP AND GIS
• TEAM WORK IN WINTER MAINTENANCE - FIRST HAND EXPERIENCES