Micromobility Station Placement Optimization for a Rural Setting

Taraneh Askarzadeh,Raj Bridgelall,Vincent F Yu

doi:10.1155/2021/9808922

Taraneh Askarzadeh, Raj Bridgelall + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/9808922

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Abstract

Micromobility is an evolving form of transportation modality that uses small human- or electric-powered vehicles to move people short distances. Planners expected that bike sharing, the first form of micromobility, would reduce traffic congestion, cut travel cost, reduce pollution, enable connectivity with other modes of transport, and promote public health. However, micromobility options also brought new challenges such as the difficulty of placement decisions to encourage adoption and to minimize conflict with other transport modes. Sound deployment decisions depend on the unique environmental characteristics and demographics of a location. Most studies analyzed deployments in high-density urban areas. This research determines the best locations for 5 new bike-sharing stations in Fargo, North Dakota, a small urban area in the rural United States. The workflow combines a geographic information system (GIS), level of traffic stress (LTS) ratings, and location-allocation optimization models. The spatial analysis considered 18 candidate station locations and eliminated those that fell within the 700-meter isochrone walking distance of the 11 existing stations. This case study demonstrates a scalable workflow that planners can repeat to achieve sustainable micromobility deployments by considering the land use, population density, activity points, and characteristics of the available pathways in their unique setting.

Highlights

Transportation planners worldwide view new micromobility options such as bike sharing as another important means towards achieving sustainable transportation [1]
Bike sharing is a popular form of micromobility that is rapidly expanding across many cities of the world to fill mobility gaps and enhance accessibility at affordable prices while achieving sustainable deployments
While there has been a lot of analysis about deployments in high-density areas and cities, analysts have paid little attention to small urban and rural areas. is study addressed the micromobility needs of Fargo, North Dakota, a small urban area in the rural United States. e analysis accounted for the unique land-use settings, street geometry, and traffic situations of the area

Summary

Introduction

Transportation planners worldwide view new micromobility options such as bike sharing as another important means towards achieving sustainable transportation [1]. A bike-sharing system (BSS) is a network of bicycles that enable short-distance, low-cost travel for the public. Such services provide short-term rental between self-service stations distributed throughout an area such as a city or suburb [2]. Micromobility services have recently exploded across the world because they provide low-cost, convenient, and accessible alternatives to public transportation. In 2015, the city of Fargo, North Dakota, launched a bike-sharing enterprise with only 11 stations. E goal of this study is to identify the most appropriate locations to add new bike-sharing stations in Fargo, North Dakota.

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