Dr Khashayar Kazemzadeh

Strategic Themes

Sustainability

Research Project

Enhancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in active mobility: a study on underrepresented groups' perspectives in road infrastructure planning in Cambridge

Theme: Sustainability

Abstract: 

Cycling is a sustainable mode of transport that helps reduce traffic congestion and environmental impacts while promoting a healthier lifestyle. Despite these benefits, cycling constitutes a small share of overall transport in the UK, accounting for around 2 percent of trips, with a skew towards young male adults. Improving the cycling experience is crucial not only for increasing ridership but also for enhancing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in society. However, research in this domain remains limited, and there is a lack of nuanced understanding of how EDI factors influence cyclists' experiences with different interventions. This study evaluates cyclists' experiences across two types of facilities: on-road (shared with motorised vehicles) and off-road (dedicated to vulnerable road users). A digital twin model of a section of London is employed to simulate realistic cycling scenarios. The model incorporates various infrastructure elements such as pavement conditions, lighting systems, and security cameras, alongside non-infrastructure factors like time of day (day vs. night), to assess their impact on rider experience, particularly for women and older adults. Cyclist behaviour is then modelled in these different recorded scenarios, identifying preferences for infrastructure improvements among distinct groups of cyclists.  

From a theoretical perspective, this research underscores the value of digital twin technology in creating real-world scenarios while allowing researchers to control and adjust individual parameters, such as modifying one element while keeping others constant. From a practical perspective, this study develops a cycling level of service index through the lens of EDI, offering valuable data to assess the appropriateness of current service rankings. The findings provide planners and policymakers with essential insights into prioritising cycling infrastructure improvements, ultimately enhancing the cycling experience for all. This aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by providing planners and policymakers with insights to prioritise cycling infrastructure improvements, contributing to more sustainable urban mobility (SDG 11) and supporting climate action initiatives (SDG 13) while enhancing the cycling experience for all.  

The starting Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of this study is TRL 3, indicating that while the videos have been developed and are ready for testing, survey data collection has not yet begun. The expected end TRL is anticipated to be TRL 6, following successful data collection and analysis. The secondment could take place at TRL and will focus on collaborating with experts to advance the application of digital twin technology in cycling infrastructure. We thank TRL for providing the digital twin model used to develop the scenarios in this study. 

e_sdg_logo_without_un_emblem_square_web.png.png

e-web-goal-11.png

e-web-goal-13.png