Bike/Ped Data Collection and Model Calibration

Authors

Eirini Stavropoulou, University of KentuckyFollow
Dionysios Tzamakos, University of KentuckyFollow
Nikiforos Stamatiadis, University of KentuckyFollow
Reginald Souleyrette, University of KentuckyFollow
Teng Wang, University of KentuckyFollow

Abstract

Motivated by an uptick in pedestrian and bicycle traffic, as well as the inclusion of pedestrian and bicyclist weights in the Strategic Highway Investment Formula For Tomorrow, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has made significant investments in transportation facilities for nonmotorized users. Despite an intensified focus on the needs of nonmotorized users, KYTC has not yet established a formal program to track the number of people walking, biking, skateboarding, and using micromobility devices statewide. Based on a review of methods and technologies for counting nonmotorized users; analysis of counting programs established by local, state, and regional transportation agencies; and a short pilot project that compared the accuracy of manual counts to automated counts, this report advances recommendations the Cabinet may use to build a program for counting nonmotorized users. The four-day pilot project conducted in Lexington, Kentucky, found that automated counts and manual counts generated similar results — within 0.5 percent of one another over the entire study period. As KYTC prepares to roll out a counting program, it should inventory programs introduced by local governments across the state to avoid redundancies in data collection, clearly articulate the objectives of nonmotorized users counts and the purposes for which they will be used, procure durable and highly accurate equipment, identify the best locations for permanent and short-duration count stations, and pursue continuous improvement by routinely evaluating data collection to verify it is meeting program objectives. Introducing and sustaining a robust program to count nonmotorized users will help the Cabinet better understand where demand for nonmotorized user facilities is greatest and target future investments accordingly.

Report Date

8-2025

Report Number

KTC-26-03

Digital Object Identifier

https://doi.org/10.13023/ktc.rr.2026.03

Repository Citation

Stavropoulou, Eirini; Tzamakos, Dionysios; Stamatiadis, Nikiforos; Souleyrette, Reginald; and Wang, Teng, "Bike/Ped Data Collection and Model Calibration" (2025). Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report. 1819.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/ktc_researchreports/1819