NZ Cycling Symposium 2000 Palmerston North MAKING CYCLING RESEARCH VIABLE Glen Koorey, Principal Researcher Opus International Consultants Ltd Central Laboratories, Lower Hutt Central Laboratories

2 Outline l Introduction l Cycling Research Funders in NZ l Development of a Research Strategy l Where to From Here

Central Laboratories 3 Introduction l A lack of Physical Works and Policies that support Cycling in New Zealand l Little underlying Research available to help justify such measures l Can adapt some Overseas research, but may not be available (no-one has done it) not always applicable to NZ e.g. for our Benefit/Cost funding system Need to foster ”Home-grown" research!

Central Laboratories 4 NZ Cycling Research to Date l Cycle Safety/Crash Analysis Analysis of LTSA Crash Database Review of ACC/Hospital Data Effect of Cycle Helmet Legislation l Cycle Design Standards (operational) Intersection Treatments Cycle Lane/Route Markings Thermoplastic Edge Line Trials

Central Laboratories 5 NZ Cycling Research to Date cont’d l Cycling Policy Review of Cycle Audit Procedures Project Evaluation of Cycle Projects NZ Cycling Strategy Foundation Project l General Transportation Research Factors to Change People’s Transport Use LTSA Household Travel Survey Not much, compared with other Land Transport research

Central Laboratories 6 Why so little NZ Cycling Research? l Need to address three questions: 1. What Research Agencies will potentially fund NZ cycling research? 2. What Cycling Research do we want (or need) in NZ? 3. Have we conveyed that information to the various research agencies? We need to sort these out first! (Co-ordinate with NZ Cycling Strategy?)

Central Laboratories 7 Cycling Research Funders in NZ l Transfund NZ l LTSA / Road Safety Trust l ACC l Health Research Council l EECA l FRST l Local Authorities / Transit NZ (RCAs) l Industry Groups

Central Laboratories 8 Transfund NZ l Annual Research Programme ~ $1.5m l Six Key Topic Areas 1. Road Asset Management 2. Natural Hazard Risk Management ** 3. Safety *4. Environmental Effects ** 5. Travel Behaviour *6. Traffic Management

Central Laboratories 9 LTSA / Road Safety Trust l Fewer/Smaller Projects, including Safety Management e.g. Crash Reporting Safer People e.g. Road User Behaviour Safer Roads e.g. Site Investigation l LTSA also does a lot of research itself

Central Laboratories 10 ACC, FRST, etc l Accident Compensation Corporation Have “Injury Prevention” Focus Research Priorities may change l Foundation for Research, Sci, Tech Public Good Science Fund, includes Sustainable Cities & Settlements The Built Environment Major emphasis in Sustainability l Local Authorities / Transit NZ Small projects, esp. operational/local

Central Laboratories 11 Funders - Summary l Application Procedures vary Regular funding rounds, e.g. annually OR Allow applications any time Amount of End-user Support required l More collaboration by funders now l What about Cycling Industry Funding? l Other Support is Useful too Access to Data, People, etc Dissemination of Research Findings

Central Laboratories 12 Development of a Research Strategy l Develop a ”Matrix" of research topics Identify existing Local / Overseas research Research Findings / Methodologies to Date What still hasn't been resolved l Develop Priority System, based on Stated Priorities of research Funders Specific Capabilities of local Researchers Need for Additional local research Feasibility of carrying out research Locally

Central Laboratories 13 Draft NZ Cycling Research Strategy … etc.

Central Laboratories 14 Research Strategy Topics l Cycling Trip Demand l Project Evaluation of Cycling Projects l Attitudes to Cycling in NZ l Safety/Crash Risks of Cycling l Geometry/Design of Cycle Facilities l Cycling Policy/Legislation What Else? What First?

Central Laboratories 15 Where to From Here l Develop Draft Research Strategy! Incorporate all potential Topics Check Research Databases / Libraries Feedback from Industry l Incorporate in NZ Cycling Strategy? l Communicate to Research Providers Help them develop their priorities l Review / Maintain / Update Regular review periods?

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