Nieuwkuijk, Sam R. van (2022) Perceptions of traffic safety for cyclists at unsignalized intersections in the Netherlands. A case study in the city of Groningen. Master thesis.
|
Text
Perceptions of traffic safety for cyclists at unsignalized intersections in the Netherlands. A case study in the city of Groningen..pdf Download (24MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Perceptions of cycling safety have widely been studied across North America over recent years in attempts to stimulate cycling as a mode of transportation. This is the result of the fact that low perceptions of safety are the largest barrier to cycling. Especially among vulnerable groups of cyclists, an improvement in the perceptions of safety could improve cycling rates. This subject has not been explored as widely in the Dutch context, as a result of the pre-existing strong cycling culture. This thesis attempts to fill this gap in the literature by exploring what factors influence perceptions of cycling safety, at unsignalized intersections in particular. It does so by investigating factors that have been identified in the international literature, for their effects on perception of cycling safety in the municipality of Groningen. To this end, a sample of 100 intersections is selected and evaluated on these characteristics. Furthermore, an online survey is carried out to gather data on the perceptions of safety for cyclists at these intersections. This online survey represents intersections by an image and top-down illustration. Respondents rate their perceptions of safety on a 5-point Likert scale. Finally, a combination of t-tests, ANOVA and linear regression is applied in order to identify both physical intersection characteristics and individual demographic characteristics that influence cyclists’ perceptions of safety. The results of these statistical analyses indicate an important role for the presence of cycling infrastructure continued across the intersection, in determining the perception of safety. Furthermore, age is found to be the most important individual characteristic which affects perceptions of cycling safety. Elderly cyclists are found to be the most vulnerable cyclists, therefore their perceptions of safety should be given particular attention in cycling path and street design considerations in the Netherlands. Furthermore, these findings suggest that policymakers should consider delineating cycling lanes across intersections when aiming to improve perceived safety for cyclists.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Degree programme: | Environmental & Infrastructure Planning |
| Supervisor: | Margaritis, E. and Ramezani, S. |
| Date Deposited: | 31 Jan 2023 14:19 |
| Last Modified: | 31 Jan 2023 14:19 |
| URI: | https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4110 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |