Our CBEL poster!

What did your team contribute to the community you served?

In our previous blogs, we mentioned that BCCC would use our report as a reference to influence the government. BCCC’s goal is to influence the policy makers to construct a more bicycle-friendly environment especially on highways. Rumble strips is problematic on highways and our report really focused on this issue. In this way, our report could contribute to the community as the reference of a proposal for a better change for cyclists.

In the long term, if British Columbia have a better biking environment, more people would choose using bicycles instead of vehicles, the carbon footprint could be decreased and the effects of climate change would be slowed.

 What did you learn about project context, planning, and implementation?

The project context mainly focuses on the relation between rumble strips, motorists, and cyclists, our task is to trying to figure out the best possible way to benefit all three of them.

 Planning should be implemented by the whole team, and our team has done a really good job on this. We clearly assign tasks prior to start working on the task and the team members are clear of what their duties are. This can greatly improve our efficiency and most importantly, increase the quality as well.

To start implementing a task always seems pretty difficult, but a good planning beforehand is found to be very useful. Also, one should not hesitate when he/she has decided to start, the hesitation process can be time consuming and worthless. Therefore, a sharp mind is the fundamental of a “job well done.”

Describe the Implementation Progress

In our last team blog, we described our implementation plan. Our current progress followed the plan well in the past two weeks. We have assigned individual tasks for each segment of the poster and started working on it on Tuesday, March 19.  By Sunday, March 24 we should get everything done for the poster. Particularly, Jason, Michael, Robin, and Tony will be working on the poster while Luke and Sunny will be editing the report and poster.

For the poster, we all finished of our individual research and we are ready to print out the figures and its respective brief summaries. We are planning to meet this Sunday to complete the visual of the poster.

For the report, we finished the vast majority of the main body. We still need to write the introduction and conclusion of the report and complete the final editing.

Identify what has gone well and what needed extra work

Our research into each part assigned has been completed as well as the main sections of our report. These blogs have also gone well as we strive to keep up to date and add fresh new perspectives after each post. We still have work to do with our poster. We have separated parts for the poster so that each of us can research images and ideas, but it still needs work so that it can be put together nicely. Also, the introduction and conclusion of our report still needs to be completed, and final editing will need to be conducted.

Describe Project Outcomes

Our project outcomes include an eye-pleasing poster as well as a technical report that details the situations in which rumble strips should be implemented. The technical report will also contain a section where we recommend the cases in which rumble strips should and should not be implemented, as well as which type of rumble strip. These recommendations come from the research conducted into rumble strips.

In this week we are trying to fine more relevant pictures to put on the poster

Highway 16 east of Tete Jaune Cache.

Project implementation plan

Over the last couple weeks, we held group meetings to discuss our report template. As of now, our report will be divided into the following sections (subject to review and changes):

• 1.0 Introduction
• 2.0 Description and Categorization
  • 3.1 Rumble Strips
  • 3.2 Road Condition Variables
• 3.0 Analysis of Variables – Disadvantages, Problems, or Benefits
  • 3.1 Steepness (Variable 1)
  • 3.2 Obstructions and Barriers (Variable 2)
  • 3.3 Road Geometry (Variable 3)
  • 3.4 Shoulder Width (Variable 4)
• 4.0 Importance of Rumble Strip options for each Variable5.0 Results and Discussion of Exceptions
  • 4.1 Steepness (Variable 1)
  • 4.2 Obstructions and Barriers (Variable 2)
  • 4.3 Road Geometry (Variable 3)
  • 4.4 Shoulder Width (Variable 4)
• 6.0 Rumble Strip Code and Standards
• 7.0 Conclusive Summary

As a group, we decided that our research and content of the report can be portrayed by dividing our information into two independent categories: rumble strips and road conditions.

There are many significant differences in rumble strips including: the position of rumble strips, the type of rumble strips, etc. There are also many significant differences in road conditions (variables) including: steepness, obstruction and barriers, and shoulder length.

The purpose of this categorization is so that we can effectively compare the problems, disadvantages, and benefits of each particular road condition to a particular rumble strip type. There is because there is no one best rumble strip design because there are various, significant differences in road conditions.

In the end, we will be input these categories into a matrix and generate different combinations. To find the problems, disadvantages, and benefits of a particular combination, we look to similar real world examples and already implemented rumble strips.

On-site Activities:
Since we don’t have the resources and equipments to conduct surveys of our own, our research will help us investigate the combinations.

Indicators of success:
BCCC could use our report as a reference to affect the current policy for the benefit of cyclists Our report could actually make a difference to the community.

For example: BCCC could use our report as a reference when lobbying or educating the general public.

Task, Completion, and Schedules
The research of the road conditions and rumble strips tasks are assigned this week and expected to be completed by March 12. We will begin writing Sections 2.0, 3.0 and variable 4.0  and complete it by March 19. We will complete the rest of the report and editing by March 26.

Section 2.0–Luke Jason

Section 3.0–Sunny,Tony

Section 4.0–Robin,Michael

Meanwhile, we will work on the poster starting March 13 and finish it by March 25.

• Present your brainstorming ideas for the project and the techniques you are using to choose one idea over another.

Our project is to research the ways in which rumble strips affect cyclists. We have a clear layout of what aspects of this issue that we need to discuss. We need to first research the pros and cons that rumble strips have on both motorists and cyclists in various situations (eg: A steep mountainous road with turns and a barrier on the edge of a cliff).

Once this research has been done, we will choose the best solutions to the problem (usually either keeping rumble strips or changing them in some way) in the following way: by weighing the importance of each pro and con and summing, we can determine the total effectiveness of the current design as well as each possible solution (generally either get rid of, or change the rumble strips in some way) and from this data, choose the best solution.

• Present the overview time-line and milestones leading to project completion.

Feb 15-20th

Research importance of rumble strips of various designs to motorists

Research impact of rumble strips or various designs on cyclists

Research the designs used in Europe where cycling is much more popular and their cycling transportation system is much more advanced to help provide possible solutions

By the end of spring break (Feb 24^th)

Compile all research into a pros/cons list of each possible solution in various situations.

Feb 25^th – 28^th

Do the site investigation, test out the effects of rumple stripes on bikers. Ask people pass by the street, collect information.

Feb 28^th – March 15th

Analysis information, compose the actual report.

March 15^th – March 20^th

Final editing, make the final copy of the report

March 20^th – March 25^th

Do the poster for the CBEL project

The photo taken when we meeting our client, Mr.Peter Stary

BLOG #2

British Columbia Cycling Coalition (BCCC)

The organization that our group will be working with is the British Columbia Cycling Coalition (BCCC). BCCC is a non-profit organization thats founded in 1998, its main office is located at Vancouver, British Columbia. The society has a clear division of labour which consists of at least 5 directors and the president of the BCCC is elected by the general members. As long as you are a cycling advocate, you can be a member of the society.

The purposes of BCCC mainly include representing the interests of cyclists in BC, ensuring their interests were recognized, and serves to support cyclists and relate organizations in BC and across Canada.

The vision and goals for BCCC are, to promote principle that the bicycle is a legitimate vehicle and is an integral part of the transportation system and encourage more cycling so that people can realize the “virtue of cycling”. Ultimately, a happy, healthy, and sustained community can be established.

Project Scope
The project is aimed at researching and analyzing the effects of traffic devices, specifically shoulder rumble strips (SRS) on cyclists. We hope to provide a detailed report that would address the issues voiced by the BC Cycling Coalition and improve provincial cycling conditions.

Our research will focus on a number of areas including:

• circumstances that SRS would be effective and/or ineffective traffic safety devices
• SRS safety and/or hazard effects on cyclists
• solutions (alternate devices) to mitigate the negative effects on cyclists while preserving the same safety measures by SRS
• possible effects of “centerline” rumble strips on bicycle/motor vehicle interactions
• examples of how past jurisdictions have handled this issue and how it can apply to BC roads
• how solutions can be integrated into our transportation planning process.

We will also investigate if the installation of rumble strips would generate a degradation of pavement quality, especially on shoulders.

Negotiable and non-negotiable constraints will be developed later on, in consultation with the client.

Strategies
For this project, we have thought about several strategies to aid us in completing this project most efficiently. Our strategy is to first look at the “big picture” of this project, including its scope and constraints to get an idea for how each part of this project fits together. Next, we will divide sections (that are possible to divide) and split up our work in an equal manner, and using each member’s strengths most effectively. By working in this fashion, we ensure that our skills are being used to their full potential and that the work is orchestrated in an organized manner. Furthermore, we have created a group on Facebook to easily communicate with one another and a Google Docs page to collaborate information without the need for appointing meetings. By using these strategies, we will make the most effective use of our time during this CBEL project.

Authors: Shibo Li, Tony Zhang, Jason Chen, Luke Minosky, Sunny Hon, Qianyuan Li
Blog entry created: Feb. 1

Project overview:

Our group is investigating the effects of various traffic devices on cyclists and composing an analytical report for the BC Cycling Coalition. One example is the effect of Local Area Traffic Management (LATM) devices on cyclists.  LATM devices are designed to redistribute traffic and encourage safer driving habits. LATM devices include speed bumps, roundabouts, and rumble strips. These may present negative effects to cyclists since the devices require cyclists to deviate a long way from their preferred path or slow down (especially at the bottom of steep hills), reducing their momentum and complicating their trip.

Reference: http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/

Our client:

The British Columbia Cycling Coalition (BCCC) is a registered Non-Profit Society that represents the interests of cyclists throughout the province (BCCC Canada, 2013). The organization is aimed at increasing the safety, comfort, and participation of transportational cycling by securing recognition of cyclists in policy and programs.

Our team:

Our CSL project team consists of: Qianyuan (Michael) Li, Qiming (Tony) Zhang, Shibo (Robin) Li, Sunny Hon, Jason Chen, and Luke Minosky. We are six aspiring second-year civil engineering students excited to face new challenges and eager to make a contribution to the local community. We will be led by our mentor Calvin Pin, a fourth-year Civil Engineering student with a background in transportation engineering.

Our latest group meeting was conducted on Monday, Jan. 21. All group members and the mentor were present. We discussed the scope of the project and the outline of the assignment. We will be working in collaboration to research, collect and analyze data, as well as prepare a detailed report outlining the effect of traffic devices on cyclists.

What we hope to achieve for the community:

BC is committed to a sustainable approach towards designing its transportation network and offers its residents a number of alternative traffic options, including cycling. There is a great concern that some traffic devices have created unconventional problems and safety hazards for cyclists. From the field studies and the analysis of information provided by BCCC, we hope to construct a detailed report that will explain the potential effects traffic devices, such as rumble strips and roundabouts, have on cyclists.

A fallen cyclist after riding on the rumble strip. Reproduced from http://blog.bikeleague.org/blog/category/research/rumble-strips/ without permission.

Authors: Shibo Li, Tony Zhang, Jason Chen, Luke Minosky, Sunny Hon
Blog entry created: Jan. 24

Hey Everyone,

Thanks for meeting with me today.  As I’m sure you’re all aware by now, my name is Calvin Pin and I’m the project mentor.  I’m a 4th year Civil who was in this course about 3 years ago.

Cheers,

Calvin

Rumble Strips and Cycling CBEL PROJECT FORM

Test post by CBEL mentor.

-Calvin