Form ProjStat
(Rev. 5/2013)
(RTI)
Research Project Statement 17-48
FY 2017 Annual Program
Title:
Evaluation of Bicycle and Pedestrian Monitoring Equipment to Establish Collection Database and
Methodologies for Estimating Non-Motorized Transportation (Deliverable Based)
The Problem:
TxDOT currently has very limited pedestrian and bicycle data to evaluate usage of the
transportation system. This lack of data affects a number of issues:
 Safety - While TxDOT knows where bicycle and pedestrian crashes have occurred, there
is no baseline data on usage to ascertain the rate in which crashes are occurring.
Obtaining usage data will help to identify areas of high usage and identify safety “hot
spots” to support safety improvements. By establishing baseline data, TxDOT will also
be able to estimate the number of crashes occurring that currently go unreported.
 Planning – Currently, there is very little information available regarding bicycle and
pedestrian usage to guide the planning of new or improved bike/pedestrian facilities.
The information that is available is generally anecdotal and inadequate. This prevents
planners and engineers from understanding the bike/pedestrian demand that currently
exists and may lead to inappropriately placed investments and under-designed facilities.
 Design - Designers are directed to consider bicycle and pedestrian use of roadway rightof-way and roadway improvements in their designs, but they do not have sufficient
bike/pedestrian information available on the number, time of day, or type of
bike/pedestrian user. This can lead to roadway improvements that do not adequately
accommodate bike/pedestrian traffic, which could compromise the safety of all roadway
users, and in some instances cause expensive corrective efforts. Conversely, extensive
efforts may be made to accommodate bicyclists who are largely not present or not
anticipated.
 Traffic Operations - Agencies attempt to consider all roadway users and the existing and
future traffic demands in the creation of their traffic plan, including signs, signals, and
pavement markings. However, due to the lack of bike/pedestrian data, these modes are
often overlooked. If consideration is made, it is generally done after an incident has
occurred.
Technical
Objectives:
This project will test various bike/pedestrian monitoring equipment to develop and recommend a
process for collecting and maintaining bicycle and pedestrian usage and volumes within two
TxDOT test districts. In addition, the researchers will develop a monitoring process that can be
sustained statewide with minimal impact to district resources, while maximizing impact to district
operations and planning. Coordination and consolidation of existing agency efforts will provide
for a more robust and consistent data collection methodology and aid in the development of
calibration factors based on facility, location, demographics, area type, and the establishment of
performance measures.
This project will identify two pilot locations for testing. The TxDOT Houston & Austin Districts are
currently very interested, and the Houston MPO (HGAC) & Austin MPO (CAMPO) have offered
to provide support and assistance. The researches will develop a methodology for estimating
non-motorized usage. This may include obtaining usage data, installation of permanent and
temporary count equipment, performing manual counts, surveying users, or other means of
estimating non-motorized usage. Data will be collected and compiled into a database.
For these two pilot areas, the researchers will obtain crowd-sourced volume data that is readily
available commercially, select and install permanent and temporary monitoring and counting
equipment (in coordination with the local district & MPO), compile data collected into a single
consolidated database, and provide a report with recommended performance measures. This
Project Statement 17-48
Form ProjStat
(Rev. 5/2013)
(RTI)
effort may include calibration and adjustment factors necessary for the use of crowd-sourced
data and performance measures. The consolidated database will include a mechanism by which
MPOs and local agencies can compile and submit data into a single statewide bicycle and
pedestrian count database.
Desired
Deliverables:
1. Value of Research (VoR) that includes both qualitative and economic benefits.
2. Technical Memorandum summarizing current bike/ped data collection practices including
recommended best practices.
3. Database template for compiling bike/ped counts statewide including partner agencies.
4. Database of counts collected and compiled over the course of project.
5. Final Report documenting recommended monitoring process, methodologies for estimating
usage/ counts and recommendations for count equipment that can be used statewide.
6. Installation of permanent bike/ped monitoring equipment as determined in the pilot testing
areas.
7. All monitoring equipment purchased will be retained by TxDOT.
Proposal
Requirements:
1. Utilize the deliverable based templates (see the appendices provided or in the University
Handbook).
2. Proposals will be considered non-responsive and will not be accepted for technical
evaluation if they are not received by the deadline or do not meet the requirements stated in
RTI’s University Handbook.
3. Proposals should be submitted in PDF format, 1 PDF file per proposal. File name should
include project name and university abbreviation.
Pre-Proposal
Meeting
Information:
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
10:00 – 10:30AM
Austin Riverside Campus
118 E. Riverside Dr.
RTI Conference Room, 1st Floor
Webex Information:
1. Go to
https://txdot.webex.com/mw0401lsp13/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=txdot&rnd=0.9091095085622
569
2. Meeting Number: 735 915 144
3. If requested, enter your name and email address.
4. If a password is required, enter the meeting password: FY17
5. Click "Join".
Teleconference Information:
Provide your phone number when you join the meeting to receive a call back. Alternatively, you
can call:
Call-in toll-free number: 1-866-637-1408 (US)
Conference Code: 951 211 7290
Notifying RTI of
Intent to
Propose:
Notify your University Liaison of your intent to submit a proposal. Your Liaison will provide
information regarding the RFP.
Proposal
Deadline:
Proposals are due to RTI by 4:00 P.M. Central Daylight Time, April 14, 2016. Email
submissions should be sent to rtimain@txdot.gov.
Project Statement 17-48