I was asked by one of my supervising professors in Seattle to explain the rationale behind the survey and our research project. In this post, I exhibit the intension behind each question asked in the Route 100 user survey. The descriptions provide a rationale for why the question is included in the survey and how it is possibly related to other questions and project research areas. While writing these paragraphs about each question, I engaged very closely with each question. This process caused me to create a framework for looking at the questions and how they should be compared and contrasted with one another in the analysis of the results.
A duel aim of this posts is to provide my research partner with a draft of the our research methodology behind the survey questionnaire. She was responsible for drafting the survey questions. Using the text provided in this blogpost, she will augment the explanations with reference to the research methodologies and analytical approaches that inspired specific questions and lists of possibilities.
In following posts, I will address each one of our research questions, explaining their purpose and how the survey helps provide insight into these questions. A future series of posts will go through the questions asked during the post-interview user surveys and the interview with staff from Aalborg Municipality.
Survey Rationale & Use
One
member of the research team drafted the questions within each section, with a
focus on research methodology and theory applicable to this research project.
As noted, the specific references to theory will be added to this text in an
edited version.
As noted, the specific references to theory will be added to this text in an edited version.As should be illuminated through the description of each question, the purpose of this survey is to uncover details on respondents' experiences and use of Route 100. Each question was designed to learn a specific piece of information, rather than prove one theory right or wrong.
Perhaps a subtle, unconscious nod to Grounded Theory, no specific hypotheses were written or formally applied to the survey given to Route 100 users. That said, the research team did have preconceived notions of how respondents would answer particular questions. The assumptions and expectations described below are reflective of team's conversations and background research done prior to drafting the questions.
Complete List of Survey Questions
SECTION ONE: About You, the User...
The survey begins by asking a series of basic identifying questions of respondents. These questions are not personal in nature, and are planned to be used for two primary purposes. This information may be used to provide a general description of the 'who' responded to the survey, allowing the research team to understand to what general group or groups in the population the survey results represent. In addition to providing descriptive information on the survey, these questions may also be used in the theoretical analysis component of this research project.One portion of the Staging Mobilities methodology suggests the concept that different users of a facility or a space will have different experiences, which he defines as the Mobility Divide. In his book, Jensen suggests that:
“... the socially stratifying practices related to mobility differentials that either comes about as a function of economic resources, intellectual and knowledge capabilities, practical skills, geographical location, or cultural frames all contributing to the fact that some people know how, can and will be mobile whilst this is out of range for others.”The mobility differentials described above are the specific aspects of one's personality, past experiences, or various capacities. These differences influence how an individual will interact with or understand a piece of infrastructure or facility. Identifying questions included in this section may assist the research team in investigating where respondents generally exist in the 'mobilities divide'. Question 1.4 and 1.5 may indicate general knowledge and skills, question 1.1, 1.2, and 1.4 may impact economic livelihood. Question 1.2 and 1.3 may provide an indication of familiarity with the area and local geography. Moreover, each one of the questions impacts what potential cultural frame the respondents looks out at the world. The process of understanding the 'mobilities divide' is part of filling in the Staging Mobilities model by using these results, as well as those in Section Two and Section Three, to develop a description and understanding of the Embodied Users.
A preliminary analysis of the profile of survey respondents was the topic of this previous blogpost, looking at a blend of the questions in this section as well as in Section Three.
1.1 What is your gender? (choose one)
a) Male; b) Female
This initial question is purely descriptive, primarily intended to provide the research team with data on how many males and females respond to the survey. No specific assumptions exist for how gender impacts survey results, nor is it considered an important factor to most of the responses. This does not, however, disregard the possibility that each gender will respond differently to various survey questions. Personal motivations for and deterrents from riding a bicycle may be different among the two genders. It is also possible that commute time or preferences for different types of bicycle infrastructure also exist. Where the difference in results indicate a notable similarity or dissimilarity, results related to gender may be presented within the working paper.1.2 How old are you by the end of 2013? (whole number)
Fill-In Blank Text Box
Knowing the exact and average age of respondents adds to the general descriptive data and statistics on survey respondents. The survey was deployed online and the format may be more accessible to a younger age group, or perhaps it does not. As with gender statistics, there are no formal assumptions concerning respondent age. The research team allowed the respondent to provide their actual age in the survey. This strategy is aimed to hone in on what exact ages of respondents. Important age groups will be determined based on the results, as opposed to having prescribed age cohorts ahead of time within the survey itself.1.3 How long have you lived in Aalborg Kommune? (choose one)
a) 0-2 years; b) 2 to 5 years; c) 5+ years; d) I live outside of Aalborg Kommune
In addition to providing descriptive data, knowing how long a respondent has lived in the area potentially provides insight into how well they are able to navigate the city. This question is asked in order to investigate if more recent area residents answer the questions in this survey differently than long-time residents. The assumption is that an individual who has lived in or around Aalborg for a longer period of time is more familiar with the street-grid, neighborhoods, and local environment. Less familiar respondents may be more likely to get lost and may therefore rely more heavily on signage and other wayfinding devices designed into the transportation system. This question is also designed to correlate with question 2.2, which ask how long the respondent has been using Route 100.1.4 What is the highest level of education you have earned? (choose one)
a) Not Formally Educated; b) Elementary School (Folkeskole); c) Business School (Handlsskole); d) Technical Education (Teknisk Skole); e) High School (Gymnasium); f) Bachelors Degree (Bachelorgrad); g) Masters Degree (Kandidat); h) Doctorate Degree (PhD); i) No Response
Asking what the highest level of education achieved is, as with gender, age, and length of residency, planned to provide descriptive statistics for the general survey response rate. No specific assumptions or hypothesis exist for this question. It might be postured that more highly educated individuals are better able to navigate a transportation system due to potentially broadened knowledge bases, there is no assumed truth to this insinuation.1.5 What is your Job/Occupation? (choose one or many)
a) Student at Aalborg University; b) Studying at another School or Institution; c) Employed at Aalborg University ; d) Employed Elsewhere in Aalborg; e) Employed Elsewhere Outside of Aalborg; f) Unemployed
This final descriptive question aims to highlight how many respondents have some association with Aalborg University. Route 100 was implemented by Aalborg Kommune in order to serve the University's main campus. It is, therefore, of interest to the survey if respondents are within the target group of respondents. In addition to providing descriptive data for the general overview of the survey results, the analysis will look for correlation between this question and questions regarding preference, motivations, and reported rating of Route 100. The survey expects that survey respondents who are students or employees of Aalborg University maybe more familiar with the route and implemented initiatives. The questions asked within Section Two are designed to further fetter out distinctions among those who respondents associated with the University.
SECTION TWO: You and Route 100
These questions aim to understand how familiar respondents are with Route 100. Familiarity is derived by how long respondents have used Route 100 and if they are regular users, asked in questions 2.2 and 2.1 respectively, in addition to several other questions in this survey. The purpose for understanding familiarity in this survey is to gage which respondents answers may be more or less interesting in other sections of the survey. It is entirely possible that regular users of Route 100 may know the initiatives discussed in Section Six better than others. Longer-term riders may also have a different set of motivations and deterrents in Section Five than newer, users of the route.Thinking about familiarity is, like in Section One, considering the 'mobilities divides' that exist among respondents. An individual who is more familiar with the route likely feels more comfortable and safe when riding. The more familiar person may also see the route differently than new users, because as navigation becomes less important a rider has more time to notice and appreciate the surrounding.
2.1 Are your currently a regular user of Route 100? (choose one)
a) Yes; b) Yes, but only on part of the Route; c) No, but I used to be; d) No, but I plan to be in the future; e) No, I do not and I do not expect to be
The descriptive frequency statistics are of interest to the survey results are important to the general explanation of the survey results. Although the survey results are not considered statistically significant due to the fact that an accurate population size is difficult, if not impossible, the percentage of survey respondents who are active, past, or non- users of Route 100 adds augments or obscures the importance of the results. The survey assumes that a greater number of respondents indicating a-d) implies that the results are more valid or of greater research interest. As the overarching aim is to understand what Route 100 is and respondents with personal familiarity provide insight into how the route is perceived by those interacting with it. Contrary to this assumption, it is also recognized that the responses of a non-familiar user is of equal value. It is possible that the route is less legible or seems more dangerous to non-users.2.1* If you are not or no longer are a regular rider, please briefly describe why. (max 250 characters)
Fill-In Blank Text Box
As a follow-up to the previous question, this allows the respondents who are previous user to explain why they no longer user Route 100. Instead of providing a list of possible reasons, a short statement is asked or so that exact reasons can be pinpointed instead of generalized. Any recognized trends among reasons will be reported in the working paper and may be codified in the analysis if it is of interest. Assumptions were not made ahead of time, but correlation will be looked for among respondents with similar reasons for ending their use of the route.2.2 During what year did you start using Route 100? (including the time before you knew it was named "Route 100")
a) Before 1999; b) 2000 to 2010; c) During 2011; d) 2012 to Present; e) Unsure; f) I'm not an user of Route 100
There are two primary reasons for including this question on the survey. One is to compare results with responses to question 1.3 in order to better understand how familiar respondents are with Route 100. Those respondents who are longer time residents and have used the route for a greater number of years are considered to be more familiar with the route than others. This familiarity is of supreme interest in the analysis of how well respondents know the Route 100 initiatives and how important they believe each individual initiative is respectively. In addition to and aside from adding to the descriptive data on respondents, this question is asked in order to learn how long individual respondents have been using the route. That the dates are separated as they are is because all route initiatives were planned and implemented from mid-2011 to early 2012, allowing the research team to gage how familiar a respondent was with the route prior to changes. Accounting for the dates of implementation, the survey assumes that a respondent who began their use of Route 100 during or after 2012 may be less familiar with the new initiatives. This is because they may not know to notice the changes, but rather expect that they exist. Alternatively, users who started using the route prior to 1999 may be entirely unmoved by new signage and wayfinding, but might be wildly excited about the counter or bicycle pumps.2.3 How did you learn about Route 100? (choose one or many)
a) Used the route before it was named; b) Aalborg University; c) Aalborg Kommune; d) Your Employer; e) Newspaper; f) Internet; g) Through this survey
The aim of the survey was to learn how the respondent learned about using Route 100 as a connection between the City Centre and Aalborg University main campus. There is no specific expected result. This question is primary explorative in nature. As the route was planned by the Kommune, the research team was curious to know if Aalborg Kommune was responsible for teaching residents to follow the route. The local paper, Nordjylland Post, covered the story in a dozen articles and it is also possible that employers interesting in promoting sustainable transportation practices may education their employees about the route. Unfortunately, the survey overlooked the possibility that riders may have learned of the route by happenstance as there is no question asking about wayfinding or route signage.2.4 What is your primary use of Route 100? (choose one)
a) Commute to School; b) Commute to Work; c) Exercise; d) Recreation: e) Shopping; f) Visit Family or Friends
This question is posed to respondents for duel purposes. The activity respondents are engaged in while using the route can be correlated to 1.4, 1.5, 2.1 and 2.2. By looking at these results together, the research team can better describe and understand who survey respondents are. Responses show if Aalborg University students and staff do indeed use the route to commute to school or work. An intension in the implementation of Route 100 was to encourage more students to commute to school by bicycle instead of using a personal motor vehicle. It is assumed that commuting to school or work are the two most common purposes. The research team prohibited respondents from selecting more than one purpose, in order to focus on the actual primary use. It was considered to allow for several uses or ask the secondary use. However, it was determined that multiple primary uses would cloud the actual primary use and was not valuable enough to include an additional question.2.5 Do you ever combine your usage of Route 100 with another mode of transportation? (choose one or many)
a) No; b) Walking; c) Bus; d) Train; e) Moped; f) Motorcycle; g) Automobile
The question itself is explorative and intends to learn if survey respondents and Route 100 users are intermodal transportation users. Within Aalborg Municipality's drafted Mobility Strategy a goal is established to support intermodal transportation. This stated goal intends that it should be easy to transfer from one's car, to the train, to a bus, and to foot, providing whatever the easiest mode is at a given time for a given segment of a trip. All modes of transportation common in Aalborg are listed as possible responses, and respondents can select any of the different modes they may use in conjunction with their bicycle when using Route 100. It is assumed that intermodality is not common for regular users of Route 100. Secure bicycle parking is provided at the Aalborg Central Station by DSB (and is a free benefit to DSBPlus members) and along bicycle lockers are available for rent on Universitetsboulevarden by the Kommune. This makes it entirely possible to transfer from any other mode to a bicycle at both ends of the route, allow the question of if this is done by respondents to be explored. Unlike switching from a bus to the train, switching to a bicycle requires that the bicycle itself is parked somewhere convenient along the route. This necessitates the presence of convenient, safe bicycle storage and that the users plans stages this transfer in their trip.2.6 Do you think of Aalborg as a "City for Cyclists"? (considering: connections between bicycle routes, bicycle parking, signange, ...)
Rate from 1 (It Is Not) to 10 (Very Much Is)
The effort implementing additional services to bicyclist along Route 100 is a part of a larger municipality-wide goal to become a city for bicyclists. Purely explorative in nature, this question is intended to provide the research team for a gage for how well survey respondents believe the Aalborg is achieving this goal. A ten-point lidar scale is used for responses in order to produce quantitate data to be analyzed for qualitative results.
SECTION THREE: When Do You Use Route 100?
In this section, the survey investigates how frequent and when respondents use Route 100. Each of the questions below are potentially linked to questions 1.5 and 2.4 to describe the commute patterns of respondents associated with Aalborg University. It might also be interesting to learn whether age and/or gender has an influences on how often a respondent uses Route 100 or how long their ride is by looking for correlation with questions 1.1 or 1.2. Moreover, when looked at with question 2.1, patterns of use can be looked at with the users types respondent identify themselves with too better understand what a "regular users" and "past user" are.3.1 How often do you use Route 100? (choose one)
a) Once a week; b) 2 to 5 days a week; c) 6 to 7 days a week; d) Very Rarely; e) I've only used it once or twice; f) I've never used it; g) I've stopped using it
The purpose of this question is to understand how frequent survey respondents typically use Route 100 and help determine how to view a given responses' survey. It is assumed that those respondents choosing b) likely use the route as part of their commute trip. Respondents who select c) are assumed to be use the route as primary means of transportation. In addition to these assumptions, these categories of responses indicate that the these users are more familiar with the route than respondents using it less frequently. The research team will use the response to this question to explore whether there is any correlation between the results to this question and question 2.1 and the questions in Section Six.3.2 What time of the year do you use Route 100? (choose one or many)
a) Winter; b) Spring; c) Summer; d) Autumn
This survey assumes that weather has an influence on one's decision to make a trip by bicycle. As winter weather is typically the least pleasant to ride in, it is expected that it is during winter that the fewest respondents are using Route 100. No further survey questions inquire what impact weather has on their commute. The reason for this is that weather impacts are not of particular relevance to this research project. Focusing on the seasons provides cursory descriptive data that can be explored and correlated with the questions within Section Five.3.3 What time do you typically use Route 100? (choose one or many)
a) Before 07:00; b) 07:00 to 09:00; c) 09:00 to 12:00; d) 12:00 to 15:00; e) 15:00 to 18:00; f) After 18:00; g) I'm not sure…; h) No Response
Like all other transportation infrastructure operates, it is expected that there are peak-period patterns along Route 100. The results of this question are intended to be primarily descriptive and aim to explain what times of day the route is busier than others. As the route is targeted at , those busy periods are assumed to occur at the beginning and end of the normal work day. In order to filter if these responses are linked actually linked to school or work commutes, this question can be linked with questions 2.4 and 3.1.3.4 When you use Route 100, how long is your typical ride from start to finish? (choose one, including the time before and after you are on Route 100)
a) 0 to 5 minutes; b) 6 to 10 minutes; c) 11 to 15 minutes; d) 16 to 20 minutes; e) 21 to 30 minutes; f) 31 to 45 minutes; g) I'm not sure…; h) No Response
One general assumption of this research question is that Route 100 users are not, as a rule, only using the route during their commute. Planned to explore how much of a respondent's typical trip is along the route itself, this question is directly linked with question 3.5 and may be of interest to responses within Section Four. The goal for this is series of questions is to study how much of a respondent's typical ride is occurs on or off of Route 100. There is no expectation for how long a typical ride should be, nor how much of the ride should occur on Route 100.3.5 When you use the route, how much time are you riding on Route 100? (choose one, only including the time you ride on Route 100)
a) 0 to 5 minutes; b) 6 to 10 minutes; c) 11 to 15 minutes; d) 16 to 20 minutes; e) Over 20 minutes; f) No Response
In addition to being descriptive of respondents trip duration, the results of this question also allow for explorative research for this project. It is assumed that a longer period of time one rides along on the route generates more familiarity with the infrastructure, facilities, ad services. Responses to this question can be looked at together with questions 2.1 and 3.1, which also can be tied to familiarity with the route. These results related to familiarity are potentially correlated with results in Section Five and Section Six.
SECTION FOUR: Your Ride Along Route 100
With the aim of learning which parts of the route respondents use more regularly and have more familiarity with, the research team created a map dividing Route 100 into five main sections. The survey uses these sections to examine which portions of the route are the most frequently used and how much of the route respondents users ride. Responses in the section can be linked to all of Section Three and Section Five. Preliminary analysis of these questions is documented in this past blogpost.The qualities and route of each section is described below. Note that these descriptions were not provided during the survey itself, but instead were presented a map.
Please use the map below to answer the following questions.
ROUTE SECTION A...
...is located within the City Centre from Nytorv, along Nytorv and Østerbro. In this section, users must use shared roadways on until the tunnel passage on Nytorv, east of which riders are accommodated with grade-seperated bicycle lanes. The first Route 100 wayfinding signage is located at the southwest-corner of Nyhavngade and Bonnesensgade. This sign directs riders to turn left onto Bonnensensgade to follow Route 100 to the Aalborg University. The boundary line used for this section exhibits that, at the 90-degree turn, the route goes from a downtown setting to an urban residential corridor.ROUTE SECTION B...
…is located along Bonnesensgade and Samsøgade, between Østerbro and Øster Alle. At the north end of this section, a bicycle air pump has was installed at the corner of Østerbro and Bonnesensgade as a Route 100 initiative. Campus-bound users must ride on shared roadways and city-bound riders are provided a grade-separated bicycle lanes, to the right a lane of angled parking spots. A second Route 100 initiative was implemented where the route intersects at Bonnesensgade and Fyensgade, where the right-of-way was reversed and is given roadway traffic is traveling along the Route 100 corridor. The research team determined that this section ends at the intersection of Samsøgade and Øster Alle, where the elevation rises and the character of the route changes.ROUTE SECTION C...
...is located between Øster Alle to Hadsundvej, along Riishøjvej. Just south of Øster Alle, the route's elevation rises, bicycle lanes are provided on both sides of the street, and bicyclists share the road with one-way, northbound bus traffic. Two round-a-bouts follow, through which riders are directed to follow Route 100 signage installed at each intersections. No bicycle infrastructure is provided within the round-a-bouts, so bicyclists must ride with regular traffic through the intersection. East of Petersborgvej, a grade-seperated bicycle lanes are provided on both sides of the street. The most southeastern edge of this section is where Riishøjvej joins with Hadsundvej.ROUTE SECTION D...
...is located along Hadsundvej, from Riishøjvej to the Nordjyske Motorvej. Heading south, the elevation of this section slowly rises, with a hill climb on the overpass over the Motorvej. At the intersection of Riishøjvej and Hadsundvej, a bicycle filter lane, or shunt, was installed on the southwest corner. The filter lane provides campus-bound riders a free, right-hand turn. (No special facility is provided for city-bound riders.) This facility not only enables riders to turn without needing to come to a full stop, it also enables bicyclists to avoid interaction with vehicle so they must only yield to pedestrians and other riders. Grade-separated bicycle lanes stretch along Hadsundvej from Riishøjvej until just past Mariendalsvej, north of Humlebakken. Bicycle lanes are briefly provided until the road intersects with Humlebakken. Blue bicycle lanes guide Route 100 users through the intersection and onto the grade-separated bicycle lanes on the south end of the intersection. City-bound riders are provided bicycle lane lights south of the intersection of Hadsundvej and Humlebakken. These lights signal to riders when the traffic light will be green and was also implemented as a Route 100 initiative.Just north of Hirsevej, a second bicycle air pump is installed on the west side of the street. An automatic bicycle counter is installed adjacent to the air pump. Bicycle lanes are provide along the southern half of the section. At each bus stop along the stretch, the bus stops were reorganized aiming to enhance safety for bicyclists and pedestrians crossing the lane to board or alight a bus. Six of the seven Route 100 initiatives were implemented along Hadsundvej in this section. The research team isolated this as a distinct section as the wide streets, a cluster of bicycle initiatives, and that infrastructure provided for the primary modes of transportation causes Hadsundvej to feel and function as a corridor. This section ends after bicyclists ride over the Nordjyske Motorvej and are directed to enter an off-street bicycle path by a wayfinding sign.
ROUTE SECTION E...
...is located after Route 100 crosses over the Nordjyske Motorvej, along the system of off-stree paths just north of and within Aalborg University's main campus. Following a sign for the University, riders enter the the path off of Hadsundvej, head south down a hill briefly before sending riders through a tunnel under the same street. After a signed decision point for campus-bound riders to stay on Route 100, users must cross through a second tunnel under Universitetsboulevarden. The route then connects with a path along Niels Borg Vej, with it ending across the street from the entrance to a university parking lot on Fibigerstræde. Wayfinding signage is installed along the off-street paths, and a last sign is located at the end of the route.
4.1 Where do you usually "enter" Route 100? (choose one based on the map above)
a) Section A; b) Section B; c) Section C; d) Section D; e) Section E; f) I'm not sure…; g) No Response
The first question about the route sections is descriptive and is intended to provide descriptive data showing the most common entry point onto Route 100. As the research team assumes most users travel this route from the City Center to Aalborg University, therefore it is expected that sections a or section b is where the majority of riders enter the route. The responses to this question may become more interesting when compared to question 3.3 to discover the time of day entry peak. This question can be looked at with question 1.2 to build more descriptive data on the survey respond general profile. Furthermore, this question is directly liked with question 4.2. These set of questions can be used to describe the typical beginning and typical ride-end sections are located for regular users and others using Route 100.
4.2 Where do you usually "exit" Route 100? (choose one based on the map above)
a) Section A; b) Section B; c) Section C; d) Section D; e) Section E; f) I'm not sure…; g) No Response
Paring with question 4.1, this question is included in the survey to investigate where the majority and minority of respondents exit Route 100 or end their trip. These questions together can estimate the average distance that respondents ride on Route 100; discovering which sections are most used. The survey assumes that the majority of respondents exit the route at the University in section e. The City Centre is assumed to be the second most common destination along Route 100.
4.3 When you ride Route 100, what Section do you enjoy the most? (choose one based on the map above)
a) Section A; b) Section B; c) Section C; d) Section D; e) Section E; f) None; g) No Response
This is the first of a many following questions that aim to learn more about why, where, and under what circumstances respondents enjoy using Route 100. No explanation of what the term "enjoy" means, allowing each individual respondent to interpret what this means for themselves. The research team assumes that Section D is the least enjoyed, because it is a large street with faster moving traffic than other portions of the route. The sections enjoyed the most and the least may be correlated with question 5.1, which types of infrastructure respondents prefer. Further explorative analysis can be done by linking this question with questions 5.2.1, 5.2.2, 5.3.1 and 5.3.2, investigating whether respondent's motivation or deterrents for riding a bicycle are correlated to which section of the route they enjoy the most.
4.4 Have you been in an accident on Route 100? If so, where? (choose one based on the map above)
a) Section A; b) Section B; c) Section C; d) Section D; e) Section E; f) I have not been in an accident; g) No Response
The purpose of learning where respondents have experienced accidents is to infer which sections of Route 100 are more and less dangerous. It is assumed that more accidents are likely to occur in section b, at the large intersections, or along section d. The results of this question may also be compared to the previous question 4.3 to discover if there is any correlation between enjoyment and safety among respondents.
4.4* If you have been in an accident, please briefly describe it. (max 250 characters)
Fill-In Blank Text Box
This question was included to allow respondents to provide details on the accident they were in. Depending on responses, the type of accidents described may be codified to look for any patterns describing in which section similar types of accidents occur.
SECTION FIVE: Your Preferences, Motivations, and Deterrents
In this section, a series of questions investigate what qualities attract or inhibit a respondent from riding a bicycle. The responses to these questions tie back to the overarching research question of this project. As the research team documents the myriad angles on what Route 100 is, this section provides the team with descriptive data on how respondents feel about the route. This knowledge may augment a discussion of negative qualities of a particular type of infrastructure, by including the opinion of respondents. All questions in this section may be compared to most questions in Section 2, in order to learn if particular types of users have a proclivity for a specific type of infrastructure or share motivations or deterrents. Looking at the responses in this section with questions 3.1, 3.2, 4.2, and 4.4, may indicate if particular patterns of use are associated with preferences.Results from this section will be particularly considered as the research team writes the and engages in the theory component of the final analysis. The aim is of this section is to discover if any existing, relevant research theories explain how the users feel about bicycle infrastructure or responds to riding a bicycle.
Please use the images below to answer the following question.
5.1 What type of bicycle infrastructure do you prefer using? (choose one or many)
a) Shared Roadway; b) Blue Bicycle Lane; c) Bicycle Lane; d) Grade-Separated Bicycle Lane; e) Off-Street Path; f) No Response
The type of infrastructure preferred is expected to be associated with which types feel more comfortable to ride. The five types of infrastructure listed in the survey were included because the are each used along Route 100. Shared roadways provide no physical protection for bicyclists an often no pavement markings are on the road. Grade-separated bicycle lanes provide improved protect bicyclists, as the roadway is furnished with a dedicated path for riders. Considering the element of safety and how this affects enjoyment, the research team assumes that more respondents a) will be the least preferred type, with d) and e) as most preferred. This question provides descriptive information on preference, which may be linked to question 4.3, as well as the remaining questions in Section Five. Implications of this information are an improved understanding of what types of infrastructure respondents and local users would prefer seeing and using in the City of Aalborg.
In this previous blogpost, the responses to this question are reviewed and a preliminary analysis is presented.
5.2.1 What motivates you to ride a bicycle in general? When/Because… (choose one or many)
a) It is a well-maintained facility; b) There are pavement markings; c) It is convenient for me; d) It is healthy for me; e) I feel safe on the route; f) I enjoy riding my bicycle; g) I ride because I care about the environment; h) Nothing, I just ride a bicycle; i) Other: Fill In Blank Text Line
Learning what motivates respondents to ride their bicycle provides additional descriptive data on preference. The intension of this question is to understand what generally inspires an individual to ride a bicycle. Understanding why respondents choose to ride a bicycle can help guide where resources are used or how infrastructure is developed. There are assumptions for which motivations are the most frequent among respondents. Response h) is an indication that riding a bicycle is second-nature, f) shows that the respondent finds bicycling enjoyable, and d) exhibits that the respondent appreciates the health benefits of riding. It is expected that the results to this question might be somehow related to the responses given to question 5.3.1. Motivations may also be linked to what types of infrastructure respondents express preference for in question 5.1. A flaw in this question that the list of motivations does not include anything about weather or economic concerns.
5.2.2 What motivates you to ride on Route 100? (choose one or many)
a) It is a well-maintained facility; b) It is convenient transportation choice; c) I feel safe on the route; d) Bicycle lane markings on the pavement show me where to ride; e) The bicycle wayfinding signs with distance and direction; f) It is the only form of transportation I have access to and use; g) Nothing, I just ride a bicycle; h) Other: Fill In Blank Text Line
This question is linked to question 5.2.1, intended to build off of the general motivations and pin-point why respondents are motivated to use Route 100 specifically. Expanding on the previous question was deemed necessary, to see if there are deviations in what motivates respondents in to use any facility and if any particular elements drive them to use Route 100. The presence of wayfinding, lane and pavement markings, and convenience are added to the list of, replacing questions regarding health and enjoyment. Responses h) allows respondents to provide additional motivations note included on the list, such as weather and economic circumstances. It is expected that convenience will be a strong motivator, as the route was implemented to provide a convenient connection between the City Centre and the university.
5.3.1 What deters you from riding a bicycle in general? When/Because... (choose one or many)
a) There are too many hills to climb; b) There are too many intersections to cross; c) There are too much time waiting at stop signs and traffic lights; d) There is a lack of lane lights and/or street lights; e) I'm worried about getting into an accident with a car or bus; f) I'm worried about getting into an accident with a pedestrian or another bicycle; g) Nothing deters me from riding a bicycle; h) Other: Fill In Blank Text Line
This question is the antithesis of question 5.2.1 and aims too understand what inhibits respondents from using a bicycle. Possible responses consider that users may dislike the hills, crossing so many intersections, or are afraid of getting into an accident. The research team has no specific assumptions regarding this question. The primary aim is to investigate if respondents with particular a motivation for riding a bicycle frequently avoid the activity due to a particular deterrent. Additionally, the responses to this question may be compared to those of question 5.3.2 in order to learn if a different set of deterrents apply to riding in general to riding than to using Route 100 specifically.
5.3.2 What deters you from riding on Route 100? (choose one or many)
a) I'm worried about getting into an accident with a car or bus; b) I'm worried about getting into an accident with a pedestrian or another bicycle; c) It is a poorly maintained facility (too many pot holes or worn out pavement markings); d) Too many vehicles travel beside the route; e) Too many hills to climb; f) Too much time waiting at stop signs and traffic lights; g) Too many intersections to cross; h) The lack of lane lights and/or street lights; i) I do not feel safe on the route; j) Nothing deters me from using Route 100; k) Other: Fill In Blank Text Line
It is assumed that the responses to this question will correlated to those answers to question 5.3.1, but may highlight specific concerns about Route 100 itself. The question aims to provide descriptive data explaining why respondents may avoid using Route 100. Deterrents added to this list in this question include the poor maintenance of the route or concerns of safety specific to the route. A failure of this question is that lane lights and street lights, two functionally different facilities, were tied together in the survey. This means that the research team cannot understand what responses for h) truly indicate.
SECTION SIX: Changes Along Route 100
The planning for Route 100 was done in coordination with a European Union organization named CIVITAS which focuses on testing innovative urban sustainable transportation initiatives in urban areas. Working with this organization, seven types of initiatives were carried out along the route. In 2011, in the month after the route was completed, Aalborg Kommune administered a survey investigating the effectiveness and usefulness of the implemented initiatives.This section of the survey repeated the questions asked in 2011. The initial survey questionnaire can be found on the CIVITAS Initiative's website. Using the same set of questions asked as a portion of this survey is intended to see if opinion has changed. The official survey was given shortly after the last initiative was implemented, giving respondents little time to learn and get used to everything along the route. Asking the same questions allows the research team to investigate whether the respondents to this survey have a like or dissimilar perspective of the different Route 100 initiatives than respondents had in 2011.
The 2011 evaluation is summarized on this past blogpost and the official version of the document can be found here.
6.1 Which initiatives are you familiar with on Route 100? (choose one or many)
a) Lane lights; b) Improved Intersection; c) Bicycle Counter displaying the time and temperature; d) Bus passenger boarding platforms; e) Shunt/Free right-hand turning; f) Bicycle pump on Bonnesensgade; g) Bicycle pump on Hadsundvej; h) Wayfinding signage; i) None
6.2 How important are the lane lights to you? (rate from 1 to 10, see image below)
Rate from 1 (Not at All) to 10 (Very Important)
6.3 How important are the improved intersections to you? (rate from 1 to 10, see image below)
Rate from 1 (Not at All) to 10 (Very Important)
6.4 How important is the bicycle counter to you? (rate from 1 to 10, see image below)
Rate from 1 (Not at All) to 10 (Very Important)
6.5 How important are the new bus passenger boarding platforms to you? (rate from 1 to 10, see image below)
Rate from 1 (Not at All) to 10 (Very Important)
6.6 How important is the new shunt/free right-hand turn to you? (rate from 1 to 10, see image below)
Rate from 1 (Not at All) to 10 (Very Important)
6.7 How important is the bicycle pump on Bonnesensgade to you? (rate from 1 to 10, see image below)
Rate from 1 (Not at All) to 10 (Very Important)
6.8 How important is the bicycle pump on Hadsundvej to you? (rate from 1 to 10, see image below)
Rate from 1 (Not at All) to 10 (Very Important)
6.9 How important is the Route to you? (rate from 1 to 10, see image below)
Rate from 1 (Not at All) to 10 (Very Important)
SECTION SEVEN: How Do You Rate Route 100?
The final set of questions asks users to quantify their feelings about Route 100. As the survey is primarily qualitative, few of the results are ranked in order of importance. The goal for this section is to create quantitate variables to be compared to one another. Such a comparison indicates to the research team the strengths and weaknesses of Route 100. The results of each question should be looked at with 2.1 and look at the difference in ratings between regular route users and other respondents.The ratings found in all rating questions below may be looked at together to investigate overall satisfaction of Route 100. A rough estimate of the general satisfaction of Route 100 is calculated by averaging questions 7.1, 7.2.2, 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5. Each of these five questions represents different areas that may influence satisfactions.
7.1 How do you rate the Condition of Route 100? (rate from 1 to 10)
Rate from 1 (Poor) to 10 (Excellent)
The average rating implies how the average respondent feels about the overall conditions of the route. This topic is appears in the list of motivations in questions 5.2.1 and 5.2.2, allowing respondents to indicate that a well-maintained facility encourages them to use a bicycle. Maintenance and quality of the roadway is also included as a possible deterrent in question 5.3.2. Questions 5.2.2 and 5.3.2 may be correlated to this question, as the specifically ask if maintenance of the route itself impacts their desire to use Route 100.
7.2.1 Do you know where to find bicycle parking along Route 100? (choose one)
a) Yes; b) No; c) No Response
This question is asked in order to validate question 7.2.2. If a respondent is not familiar with where to find bicycle parking on the route, their response to the following question is disregarded. The assumption is that an individual who is unaware of a facility cannot know how useful that facility is. An additional piece of descriptive data derived through this question is how aware respondents are of parking opportunities along the route.
7.2.2 How useful is the bicycle parking along Route 100 to you? (rate from 1 to 10)
Rate from 1 (Not Useful at All) to 10 (Very Useful)
The usefulness of bicycle parking is asked to assertion of parking is available where it is needed along the route. Bicycle parking was not included as an initiative, but parking is an additional service that aligns with the project goals. If parking is not useful, it can be either because it is not installed in an adequate location in order to access a desired short-term destination. Alternatively, there may be parking opportunities, but no locations of interest to visit. The research team will locate businesses and parking along the route, and compare the results to this question in order to determine which possibility is more likely.
7.3 How much do you enjoy riding Route 100? (rate from 1 to 10)
Rate from 1 (Do Not Enjoy) to 10 (Enjoy Very Much)
The purpose of this question is to establish how much respondents enjoy their experience riding Route 100. It is assumed that the results to this question will have some correlate with questions 7.4 and 7.5, as opinions on efficiency and safety are likely to influence how much the route is enjoyment. These results may be linked to the response that one enjoys riding their bicycle in question 5.2.1, as those respondents may also be likely to enjoy riding this route.
7.4 How do you rate the efficiency of Route 100? (rate from 1 to 10)
Rate from 1 (Inefficient) to 10 (Very Efficient)
Planning behind Route 100 explicitly aimed to provide "free flow for cyclists" and the research team infers providing an efficient level of service for bicycle traffic. This question investigates if respondents are pleased with the efficiency of the connection from the City Centre to the University. Ratings on efficiency could be attributed to frustration over many of the deterrents listed in questions 5.3.1 and 5.3.2. There is no assumption for how efficient respondents will feel Route 100 is.
7.5 How safe do you feel when riding Route 100? (rate from 1 to 10)
Rate from 1 (Unsafe) to 10 (Extremely Safe)
Understanding whether or not respondents feel safe along the route may provide additional explanation for how often respondents use route 100, question 3.1. The feeling of safety may also be linked with whether or not the respondent has been in an accident along the route, which is asked in question 4.4. The research team has no expectations for how safe respondents will indicate they feel using Route 100.
SURVEY COMPLETED: Final Thoughts
8.1 Do you have any final thoughts, experiences, rants, or raves about Route 100 that you would like to share? (max 750 characters)In the recognition that the survey is not an exhaustive list of questions that could be asked of Route 100 users. This section allows interested respondents to share their thoughts, to expand on their answers or address something the research team did not include or allow the respondent to express. The responses to this question will be used to learn more about the perspectives of respondents and possibly discover new features or purposes of Route 100.
THANK YOU: Post-Survey Interview
The very last section briefly asks respondents if they are willing to assist the research team by providing a face-to-face interview after completing the survey. These interviews are intended to help the research team garnish more details on why specific answers were selected as well as to encourage interviewees to elaborate on their responses. Interviewees are also asked engage in a short series of mapping exercises to locate where they experience using Route 100. The mapping technique developed by Kevin Lynch, which locates where paths, edges, nodes, districts, and landmarks are, was thought of when establishing what to ask of respondents and how to interpret the maps.9.1 Are you interested in providing the research team with a face to face interview? (choose one)
a) Yes; b) No
9.1.1 If yes, what is your name?
Fill In Blank Text Box
9.1.2 If yes, what is your email address?
Fill In Blank Text Box
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