Belgian pre-normative research project SuChar-BiLan on surface monitoring of bicycle lanes

Abstract

Recently the need for more and better cycling infrastructure is soaring. The diversity of the means of transport other than ordinary bikes is increasing rapidly. Consequently, the users’ expectations change. In their endeavor to deliver, road authorities managing cycle paths will benefit from new condition assessment and efficient asset management. In the two-year project “Surface Characteristics of Bicycle Lanes” (SuChar-BiLan), started on 1 November 2022, the Belgian Road Research Centre (BRRC) collects knowledge, information and practical experiences about measurement techniques and management allowing the assessment of the condition of bicycle infrastructure: evenness, skid resistance, texture and rolling resistance. The aim of the project is to help with developing European standards and with expanding the use of such techniques – to a better quality of the cycling experience. This contribution presents results of a literature review, mentions the development of surveys addressed to different stakeholders (users, road authorities, technology providers), describes how technology and service providers, and research organisations will be invited to demonstrate their solutions on bicycle lanes in Belgium, hints on future design by BRRC of laboratory test methods for skid and rolling resistance, and explains the importance of the expected outcomes and of the aimed development of European standards.