College of Architecture and Fine Arts
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Item An assessment of the Bicycle facilities of Discovery Gardens Community in Dubai, UAE(2021-10) Peralta, Adrian Philip H.The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic forced authorities to impose restrictions through lockdowns to mitigate the spread of the virus. Urban mobility shifted to solitary or unaccompanied transportation modes such as walking and cycling to lessen contact with others, further minimizing infection risk. In Dubai, the study's locale, to maintain well-being and health, a conscious effort among citizens encouraged outdoor activities, mainly recreational cycling. This study attempts to assess the adequacy of Discovery Gardens Community's existing bicycle facilities based on the Roads and Transportation Authority (RTA) requirements following the factors of attractiveness, comfort, and safety. In line with this intention, several methods of inquiry and evaluation were conducted: 1) an interview with an expert on the planning cycling tracks for Dubai to determine the planning and design process supplemented by a review of the RTA guidelines; 2) survey questionnaires to evaluate satisfaction and obtain recommendations from users of the study; and 3) review of relevant case studies for comparison. The study suggests that the bicycle facilities constructed in the Discovery Gardens, although most of the respondents find it satisfactory, can be improved by rigorously implementing the guidelines stipulated by RTA, especially in fulfilling the requirements of attractiveness, comfort, and safety. An interview with an industry professional who worked with Dubai Municipality revealed that the planning process uses a combination of existing international and local design guidelines adapted to fit Dubai roads. A series of surveys were conducted the first survey suggests that the bicycle facilities constructed in the Discovery Gardens, although most of the respondents find it satisfactory, can be improved by rigorously implementing the guidelines stipulated by RTA, especially in fulfilling the requirements of attractiveness, comfort, and safety. While the second survey to help determine what would help them create a modal shift from recreational cycling to transportation cycling. The survey was designed based on the RTA's questionnaire that asks the question regarding which feature/s the respondent would like the RTA to enhance. Following the Roads and Transport Authority assessment tool based on Dubai Pedestrian and Cyclist's Design Manual, probable areas that may pose threat to cyclists and pedestrians were identified. The design of the bicycle path in Discovery Gardens is a two-way segregated cycle path shared with pedestrians. Based on the RTA's Dubai's Pedestrian and Cyclist's Design Manual, for a two-way cycling path, the minimum width should be 2.0 meters while the preferred width is at 2.5 meters. When measured, the bicycle facility in the study's locale is at 1.6 meters wide. By analyzing the study results, the researcher concluded that the bicycle facility in Discovery Gardens along Ibn Battuta Road has inadequacies. Based on the survey, 44% of the respondents felt that the cycling pathway is inefficient. Following the assessment tool, the width of the two-way cycling pathway is below the required minimum and preferred measurement. Dismounting points on every motor vehicle and pedestrian crossings either lack traffic calming features or need improvement to promote safer encounters for pedestrians, cyclists, and cars. Moreover, other factors that needs to be considered is the hazards in cycling path include obstacles such as: protruding signages, infrastructure columns, utility holes, and pedestrian mix. Lastly, there are limited locations concerning bicycle parking facilities and only available at metro stations that can only accommodate a small number. With this assessment, the study recommends a reworking of the cycling facility located along Ibn Battuta Road in the Discovery Gardens Community. The new design should consider user needs, incorporating the context of the local culture and associated behaviors. As such, the following recommendations below may help improve the bicycle facility in terms of attractiveness, comfort, and safety criteria.