Bicycle Parking Analysis with Time Series Photography

Data and analysis of bicycle parking are necessary to evaluate facility designs and parking plans and for analysis of bicycle use more generally. Data and analysis of bicycle parking inform efforts to promote bicycle use and provide direction for policy makers and planners. However, there is a lack of research and data related to bicycle parking, and no standardized methodology exists for data collection. Measures such as duration and turnover have long been identified with vehicular parking studies, but these measures have not been standardized in the literature related to bicycle parking. This paper proposes a methodology for collecting detailed bicycle parking data. This methodology uses digital photography to capture parking data, including arrival and departure times, parking durations, and turnover rates. A trial data collection suggested ways in which the data could be used to answer specific research questions. In addition, the feasibility of the proposed methodology was evaluated, and the work effort needed to perform the collection and analysis was quantified. The methodology appeared to be useful for further academic research related to bicycle parking and had potential to provide valuable information for universities and public transportation agencies as they planned for, monitored, or improved bicycle parking facilities.