User-Perception based framework for Bicycle Level of Service evaluation in Indian Cities – Patna as a Case Study

Abstract

During the COVID pandemic, a boom in bicycle usage was seen in India. As a result, many cities started developing dedicated bicycle infrastructure. This study identified the need for a user-perception based Service Level Benchmarking framework for monitoring bicycle infrastructure development and ensuring that it takes place in the direction as desired by the users. For this, the study proposes a methodological structure for determining a user-perception based Bicycle Level of Service (BLOS) evaluation framework taking Patna as a case study. In this process, a Discrete Choice Experiment is performed along contextually relevant factors affecting bicycle usage. The collected choice data is analyzed using a Random Parameter Logit Model and the Generalized Cost (GC) Equation is obtained. This is used to evaluate the BLOS for Patna. This method ensures that the level of service of bicycle infrastructure interpreted from this scale is exactly how the users perceive it.