How do construction sites affect cycling and walking? : perspectives from a panel of experts

Abstract

The impact of traffic disruptions provoked by construction sites can be major, especially for active modes of transportation like walking and cycling. Understanding this impact is necessary, although difficult given the lack of analytic tools for studying ephemeral alterations of the circulation space. The aim of our study was to establish an analytic framework for understanding the impact of construction sites on active transportation. The research included semi-structured interviews with ten experts and a three-round Delphi study during which an expanded group of experts (29 participants) developed a list of influential factors. The length of detours caused by construction sites was the most influential factor on walking; the temporary organization of traffic flow space (sharing the roadway) was the most important for cycling. These results provide guidance for empirical studies, in order to understand and mitigate the negative effects of construction works on active transportation.