Presentation – hiWALK and hiBIKE: Co-created Indices to Foster Active Mobility for All
Monday, 14th April 2025, 16:00-17:30, Auditorium 3, FH Joanneum, Graz, Austria
As the transport sector plays a crucial role in reducing CO2 emissions, promoting a pedestrian and cyclist-friendly infrastructure is important for a climate friendly future. Especially walking and cycling represent one of the most efficient and low-impact urban transport options, contributing significantly to both environmental sustainability and urban livabilility.
With hiWALK and hiBIKE we created two tools that incorporate indicators describing the urban street and path network in term of user-friendliness, attractiveness, and safety. The indices rely on open data sets, mainly OpenStreetMap (OSM), and can be tailored and applied across cities worldwide. Both assessment tools also include the needs for people with special mobility requirements and therefore play a crucial role in the overall development towards sustainable mobility.
The indices were developed by classifying walking and cycling infrastructures based on the types of users with whom pedestrians or cyclists share the infrastructure with. This classification and tagging, based on OSM tags, serves as a proxy for the safety and comfort of road segments. Additionally, path surface type and smoothness were analysed using specific OSM tags to evaluate overall walkability and cycling conditions. At the same time, the street connectivity was measured, as well-connected networks improve user accessibility to basic services and needs. Lastly, satellite imagery and topographical data were incorporated to evaluate the presence and quality to green and blue infrastructure and to include information about the steepness of a street.
We are looking forward to provide further information into this matter and to discuss it with you.
You find more information on our website.
