A Database for a Pedestrian and Pedal Cyclist Traffic Model

A traffic model in general and more specifically a traffic model on a meso and micro level that takes into account pedestrians and pedal cyclists requires a great deal of empirical data and this data must be stored in a database in such a format that the model can retrieve it. Three categories of empirical data and therefore three types of databases must be distinguished:

–location-specific database

-knowledge base

–safety base

In this report the theoretical considerations behind the three-part division are discussed and the location-specific data and the behavioural knowledge data are elaborated.

The required location-specific data are flow, origin-destination of pedestrian and pedal cyclist trips and the physical characteristics of the location to be modelled. A computer programme was developed to store these data in ASCII-format output files. This programme is described and the data collection procedures in each of the three experimental locations (Bradford (GB); Groningen (NL); and Växjö (S)) is specified. The data itself is available on floppy disc, but not discussed here.

To fill the behavioural knowledge base, literature reviews took place and a number of additional field studies were carried out. The studied topics were crossing strategies at pelican crossings (only in the Bradford situation), red light violation of pedestrians and pedal cyclists, gap acceptance of pedestrians and pedal cyclists and rule compliance of road traffic towards pedestrians and pedal cyclists. The applied data collection procedures and definitions are described and the results presented.