Bicycle Choice Modeling: A Study Of University Trips In A Small Colombian City

Bicycles and public transportation are modes of sustainable transport that reduce both the increasing levels of pollution and traffic congestion and the worrying statistics concerning obesity and physical inactivity. This article shows results of the application of a stated preferences survey in the city of Ocaña, Colombia, to identify factors that influence the modal choice, introducing the bicycle as an alternative for the trips to and from the University Francisco de Paula Santander Ocaña, using discrete choice models. These results show that the infrastructure availability is a key variable for modal shift and that giving incentives such as meals do not influence modal choice. These results were shared with the local authorities as an argument towards cycle lanes investment and public transportation grants for students

Urban quality of life assessment in the main cities of Colombia

La evaluación de la calidad de vida urbana se desarrolla a través de indicadores denominados índices de calidad de vida urbana (ICVU), que permiten expresarla en escala numérica siendo de gran importancia para investigadores, planificadores y encargados de la gestión pública en la toma de decisiones. En Colombia no se ha realizado trabajos previos que comparen integralmente según su Calidad de Vida Urbana (CVU) las diferentes ciudades, es por ello que en el presente artículo se realiza una evaluación de esta en las seis principales ciudades colombianas, diseñando y evaluando un ICVU que integra cuatro dimensiones (Social, Económica, Ambiental, Servicios y Gestión), se toma en cuenta para ello diez indicadores y cuarenta y nueve sub-indicadores. El estudio comprende datos de los años 2011, 2012 y 2013

Personality traits, risky riding behaviors and crash-related outcomes: findings from 5,778 cyclists in 17 countries

The last few years have brought about a series of substantial changes for mobility on two wheels, especially if the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is considered as a relevant fact for transportation dynamics [1,2]. Social distancing recommendations have promoted the use of individual transportation systems instead of massive transportations means. Consequently, riding a bike for urban trips has become increasingly prevalent in many countries [3-5]. Besides an opportunity to make urban mobility more active and sustainable, this panorama poses the challenge to prevent that, along with its growing use, bicycle crashes ---and their consequences-might continue to increase. In this regard, recent studies have emphasized the role of individual differences and personality-related factors as potential issues influencing both cycling behaviors and traffic crashes suffered while riding [6,7]

Cross-culturally approaching the cycling behaviour questionnaire (CBQ) : Evidence from 19 countries

Peer reviewe

Public transportation and fear of crime at BRT Systems: Approaching to the case of Barranquilla (Colombia) through integrated choice and latent variable models

Security perception and Fear of Crime (FoC) in urban scenarios have the potential to affect travel behavior, changing people’s travel choices and patterns. In this sense, the feeling of being “safe” or “at-risk” in public transportation not only depends on observable factors like illumination, travel companionship or transport crowding, but also on unobservable individual-specific latent attributes, among which fear of crime constitutes a major issue to consider in transport security policy-making. This study aimed to describe the relationships among sociodemographic features, travel situations, system-design features, and the Fear of Crime at three different locations (buses, bus stops, and stations) of the BRT system of Barranquilla (Colombia). Using an image-based survey applied in Barranquilla, data was collected from a full-sample of 500 adult users (64% females and 36% males) of the system. It was estimated a hybrid choice model to include location-based fear of crime in public transportation perception of risk, along with attributes related to (e.g.) surveillance, crowding, time of the day, and companionship. The relation between fear of crime and perception of security in public transportation is negative and highly significant. FoC inside the bus has the highest negative effect on the utility, followed by bus stops and BRT Stations, for which it remains non-significant. Gender (being a female user) was the strongest FoC predictor. Moreover, it was found that the higher is the user’s income, the lower is the fear of crime reported for each one of these three types of location. Overall, the inclusion of the fear of crime perception in the estimation of the hybrid choice model enhances the model fit. Also, the user-related findings of this study at different locations provide a better understanding of the decision-making process and the predictors of fear of crime in BRT systems

A BWS Application to Identify Factors Affecting User Preferences for Parking Choices at University Campuses

Parking around university campuses has become a major issue in recent decades because of nearby congestion impacts. Objective: To determine the factors influencing parking lot selection, which is crucial to propose adequate parking demand management strategies. Materials and Methods: We evaluate different attributes using a best-worst scaling survey applied at Universidad de la Costa (CUC), Colombia. Using discrete choice modeling techniques, we identified the extent to which selected infrastructure attributes influence parking behavior. Results: Security and cover (roof) availability are the most relevant attributes of parking choice in the case study. Conclusions: Based on our results, we strongly recommend implementing a dynamic pricing rate, roof pricing, removing “reserved spots” and investing in securityEl parqueo en las universidades o sus alrededores se ha convertido en un problema importante, debido a la falta de espacio y su impacto en la congestión de vías cercanas. Objetivo: Determinar los factores que influyen en la elección de parqueaderos, con el fin de proponer estrategias adecuadas para la gestión de estos. Materiales y métodos: Se evaluaron diferentes atributos usando el método de escalamiento por máximas diferencias a través de una encuesta aplicada en la Universidad de la Costa (CUC), Colombia. Luego, a través de modelos de elección discreta, se identificó el grado en que diferentes características de infraestructura determinan la elección del sitio de parqueo. Resultados: La seguridad y la disponibilidad de parqueaderos cubiertos son los atributos más relevantes en este caso. Conclusiones: Con base en los resultados obtenidos, se recomienda implementar políticas de tarifa dinámica, diferenciar precios de parqueaderos cubiertos y descubiertos, eliminar los “parqueaderos reservados” e invertir en tecnología que mejore la seguridad

Women's perceived risk of sexual harassment in a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system: The case of Barranquilla, Colombia

Background: Sexual harassment in public transportation is a growing concern, particularly among women. Over the years, there have been several programs and policies to mitigate sexual harassment while using public transport. However, there is little evidence of the effectiveness of these strategies, especially in Latin America. Objective: This investigation aims to determine the factors that influence women's perceived risk of sexual harassment while using public transport in Colombia. Methods: In this study, we designed an image-based stated preferences survey based on the current bus rapid transit (BRT) system in Barranquilla, Colombia. Several variables were con- sidered in this experiment including the time of the day, surveillance, and crowding, among others. For each scenario, participants reported whether they felt safe or not. Then, a logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors that influence women's perceived risk of sexual harassment while using the BRT system. Results: The results show that more than 60% of respondents have been a victim of sexual harassment while using the BRT system. Also, overcrowded buses proved to have the most negative effect on the perceived risk of sexual harassment. Travelling at night, lighting and being alone were all significant variables as well. Conclusion: Sexual harassment could potentially influence use of the BRT. The findings of this research can be used to develop countermeasures and increase public transport ridership

Modelo de elección de bicicletas: un estudio de viajes universitarios en una pequeña ciudad colombiana

Bicycles and public transportation are modes of sustainable transport that reduce both the increasing levels of pollution and traffic congestion and the worrying statistics concerning obesity and physical inactivity. This article shows results of the application of a stated preferences survey in the city of Ocaña, Colombia, to identify factors that influence the modal choice, introducing the bicycle as an alternative for the trips to and from the University Francisco de Paula Santander Ocaña, using discrete choice models. These results show that the infrastructure availability is a key variable for modal shift and that giving incentives such as meals do not influence modal choice. These results were shared with the local authorities as an argument towards cycle lanes investment and public transportation grants for students

Personality traits, risky riding behaviors and crash-related outcomes: findings from 5,778 cyclists in 17 countries

The last few years have brought about a series of substantial changes for mobility on two wheels, especially if the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is considered as a relevant fact for transportation dynamics [1,2]. Social distancing recommendations have promoted the use of individual transportation systems instead of massive transportations means. Consequently, riding a bike for urban trips has become increasingly prevalent in many countries [3-5]. Besides an opportunity to make urban mobility more active and sustainable, this panorama poses the challenge to prevent that, along with its growing use, bicycle crashes ---and their consequences-might continue to increase. In this regard, recent studies have emphasized the role of individual differences and personality-related factors as potential issues influencing both cycling behaviors and traffic crashes suffered while riding [6,7]

Personality traits, risky riding behaviors and crash-related outcomes: findings from 5,778 cyclists in 17 countries

The last few years have brought about a series of substantial changes for mobility on two wheels, especially if the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is considered as a relevant fact for transportation dynamics [1,2]. Social distancing recommendations have promoted the use of individual transportation systems instead of massive transportations means. Consequently, riding a bike for urban trips has become increasingly prevalent in many countries [3-5]. Besides an opportunity to make urban mobility more active and sustainable, this panorama poses the challenge to prevent that, along with its growing use, bicycle crashes ---and their consequences-might continue to increase. In this regard, recent studies have emphasized the role of individual differences and personality-related factors as potential issues influencing both cycling behaviors and traffic crashes suffered while riding [6,7]