MZSFreiland – Optimization of cycling infrastructure: Study on multi-purpose lanes with a narrow core lane on Austria’s open roads

The expansion and improvement of the cycle network along rural roads in Austria contributes to achieving the European climate and energy targets in transport and to increasing road safety.

Structurally separated cycle paths should be implemented as a standard solution on rural roads. Due to various reasons (e.g. topography, disproportionality of the redemption for property, narrow side space available, implementation not feasible in short term, etc.), it is not always possible to implement the standard solution. International studies and guidelines show that edge lane roads – cycle lanes on either side with an undivided carriageway as a centre lane – are successfully used as an alternative solution between residential areas. In Austria, the guidelines and regulations for road traffic (RVS) 03.02.13 for cycle traffic currently only permit the use of edge lane roads (carriageway under 4.5 metres) up to a speed limit of 30 km/h. Therefore, the use of cycle lanes with an undivided driving lane on rural roads is currently not possible according to the Austrian guidelines.

The potential implementation of edge lane roads on rural roads is being tested as part of the project with the help of three temporary pilot sites in Austria. The following main results are expected: (I) application limits, (II) implementation potential, advantages and disadvantages and the impact as well as (III) recommendations for action for application or non-application and suggestions for amendments to directives and regulations in Austria.

In order to achieve the objective, an evidence-based research design is chosen that determines both the objective and subjective safety of road users. Objective safety is determined by measuring overtaking manoeuvres between motor vehicles and bicycles using mobile sensors (Holoscene Bike research bicycle with LiDAR and video sensors) and side-mounted radar. Acceptance, conflicts and subjective safety are determined on the one hand by driving the test routes with test participants from different road user groups and conducting a subsequent survey, and on the other hand by conducting an online survey of local road users and collecting feedback on the road markings in the municipalities. A before-and-after study will be carried out on a test route using all relevant methods. In addition to the evidence-based study on the test routes, international studies and reference examples will be analysed and the limits of application in other European countries will be presented. International experts will be involved through bilateral interviews and a reflection workshop.

Based on the empirical results, corresponding application limits and implementation potentials as well as advantages and disadvantages and the effect of edge lane roads on rural roads in Austria are derived. Finally, recommendations for the application or non-application as well as suggestions for amendments to directives and regulations in Austria are formulated.