As bicycle traffic grows, so does the awareness of single-track users, and thus their expectations of the quality of bicycle infrastructure. They pay increasing attention to the type and condition of the pavement on which they ride. The need to improve riding comfort is also recognized by decision-makers across Europe, intensifying efforts to modernize bicycle infrastructure. One of the key elements in ensuring the quality of bicycle roads is their proper maintenance. Pavement diagnosis plays a fundamental role here, but there is still a lack of uniform standards for carrying it out – both in Poland and in other European Union countries. To date, diagnostic methods, commonly used in the evaluation of roads for two-wheeled vehicles, have not been adapted for bicycle infrastructure. The parameters of the pavement and the ways of measuring them urgently require standardization.
Belgian SuChar-BiLan project
The Belgian Road Research Centre (BRRC) has launched an initiative to develop European standards for bicycle road diagnostics. As part of the two-year project “Surface Characteristics of Bicycle Lanes” (SuChar-BiLan), specialists from different countries are analyzing existing diagnostic methods and proposing new approaches that could become the foundation for future regulations.
For more information on the Belgian project, see the article Belgian pre-normative research project SuChar-BiLan on surface monitoring of bicycle lanes.
ASPEN in action - an innovative approach to diagnostics
At BRRC’s invitation, we had the opportunity to present our solution – the ASPEN system, which enables comprehensive diagnostics of bicycle surfaces. Our experts, Adrian and Piotr, traveled to Belgium to conduct tests on specially prepared tracks. During the tests, we used smartphones mounted on a bicycle and an electric scooter, as well as additional cameras to capture images.
As part of the tests, we collected and analyzed data including:
- a simplified and detailed visual assessment of the pavement,
- determination of the type of bicycle pavement,
- calculation of longitudinal irregularity indices and ride comfort,
- anonymized images from the front camera and 360° camera.
All the collected data was presented in the OnKo3 system, which allows visualization of the results in profiles, maps, tables and photos.
Past achievements and future plans
The ASPEN system, supported by the European Space Agency, has already been successfully implemented in Germany and Poland. Participation in the SuChar-BiLan project is another step in our mission to create safer and more accessible bicycle infrastructure. We are pleased to be able to combine advanced technology with practical research, supporting the development of standards that improve the quality of roads for cyclists around the world.