An Assessment of Cycling Routes in Terms of Movement and Accessibility Using the MABAC Method (Case Study: Districts 1 and 3 of Isfahan City)

Abstract

Abstract The ever-increasing expansion of urbanization has caused an increase in activity density in cities and has created many problems in urban transportation. The development of sustainable types of travel for inner-city traffic, such as cycling, is inevitable to face the factors disturbing the comfort of citizens. On the other hand, the inadequacies in the bicycle path network have decreased this mode of transportation. It is noteworthy that Districts 3 and 1 in Isfahan, located in the historical and valuable center, are pioneers in bicycle path construction. This research seeks to investigate the movement and accessibility in the cycling routes of Districts 3 and 1 of Isfahan City. This is a mixed-method research, collecting the data through documentary analysis and field studies. The authors used the MABAC analytical method for data integration and the final research analysis. The results show that out of a total of 22 cycling routes in Districts 1 and 3 of Isfahan City, Motahari (0.183), Chaharbagh Abbasi (0.174), and Saeb (0.132) are the best cycling routes. On the other hand, Pasdaran (-0.127), Bagh Goldaste (-0.086), and Ayatollah Khorasani (-0.084) have the lowest scores of all. Finally, some suggestions to improve the condition of these routes are presented.Keywords: Assessment, Movement and Accessibility, Cycling Route, MABAC, Districts 1 and 3 of Isfahan City. IntroductionThe expansion of urbanization has caused an increase in population density and activity in cities and has created many problems for urban settlements. One of the most critical challenges in the metropolitan area is transportation. In recent years, planners have welcomed active mobility in the form of walking and cycling as a global strategy. Using active transportation methods in trips reduces traffic and increases the quality and health of the environment; on the other hand, the inadequacies in the network of cycling routes have led to a decrease in the use of this mode of transportation. Movement and accessibility in cycling routes can make cycling a very efficient tool for solving environmental, transportation, and social problems. In our country, in recent years, city managers have been encouraging people to use alternative methods for moving around the city instead of using cars, considering the cycling routes and providing suitable facilities and services. Considering the importance of replacing the transportation modes, in Isfahan, cycling routes with 777 kilometers are being built in 15 Districts. Districts 3 and 1 of Isfahan City (located in the historical, tourist, and commercial center of Isfahan City) are a pioneer in constructing a 12150-meter-long cycling path. In this research, we analyze the cycling routes of districts 3 and 1 of Isfahan regarding movement and accessibility indicators. Materials and MethodsThe current applied research is descriptive-analytical. At first, the data were extracted using documentary and field (observation) studies. Then, the data were analyzed using two quantitative and qualitative methods. Topography analysis, access analysis, and GIS software were used to evaluate the quantitative metrics. Qualitative research metrics were also identified using the analytical tables of possibilities and limitations. Finally, the MABAC method was used to combine research data and the final analysis. Compared to other multi-criteria decision-making methods, this method is considered one of the newest methods to weigh and evaluate the criteria and alternatives. Research FindingsThe results indicate that the measures of the radius of the arc of cycling paths (0.003), the amount of open sight distance (0.006), the amount of stopping sight distance (0.009), and the integration between cycling paths and public transport (0.012) are most useful in cycling routes. On the other hand, the measures of the variety and beauty of the elements, the bicycle parking accessibility, the length of the cycling route, and the placement of the guide signs along the road have the lowest level of desirability among the cycling routes.Regarding cycling routes, Motahari (0.183), Chaharbagh Abbasi (0.174), and Saeb (0.132) routes are the most desirable, respectively. Pasdaran cycling routes (-0.127), Ayatollah Khorasani (-0.084), Bagh Guldasteh (-0.086) and Seyed Alikhan (-0.077), respectively, have the lowest favorability in terms of the determined indicators. Discussion of Results and ConclusionsThere are several reasons for the formation of problems in the cycling routes of Districts 1 and 3 of Isfahan. These reasons include the existing weaknesses of decision-making and policy-making in urban management, environmental and physical limitations, financial limitations, legal limitations, the inadequacy of existing plans, and traffic limitations. The operational proposals presented are prioritized in the order of action priority so that it can be a way to overcome the existing constraints.

Keywords

• assessment
• movement and accessibility
• cycling route
• mabac
• districts 1 and 3 of isfahan city