streetaudit - cycling module - CERS

TRL has developed three auditing techniques to assess the quality of street environments:

• PERS (pedestrian environments)
• FERS (freight environments)
• CERS (cycling environments)

Separately or individually, auditing these environments allow policy makers and stakeholders to understand problems and realise realistic priorities in each of these challenging environments.

To facilitate the storage, manipulation and display of information collected on site, TRL has developed streetaudit, a software package which enables the maximum value of the audits to be realised.

Easy to use functions

The streetaudit software includes:

• Easy to use screens
• Search functions for the fast identification of poorly scoring environmental features
• In-built GIS mapping capabilities
• Graphing functions
• Export functions to other GIS tools
• Automated production of quick win recommendations
• Storage of photographs collected on site
• High quality metafile image exports for the preparation of reports

CERS or Cycling Module

Cycling Environment Review System (CERS) is a new and dynamic software application to assess the quality of any cycling environment. CERS can assist in the identification of opportunities to improve cycle routes and public spaces, whilst supporting the effective targeting of resources. Now CERS is part of the streetaudit toolkit.

There is little defined best practice in the evaluation of cycling provision: how to prioritise areas for improvement; or what on-street provision is most appropriate and effective. With a standard and consistent methodology CERS is set to change all that. It will help in the promotion of cycling as a viable transport option, especially in terms of value to health, sustainability, local economic viability and reduction of car use.

CERS creates a systematic framework so that cycling provision can be assessed, reviewed and audited.

Why use CERS?

• Identify deficiencies in levels of service and provision of suitable cycling support.
• Systematically assess cycling needs and prioritise improvements.
• Strengthen objectivity in the decision making process.
• Produce focussed and transparent project proposals based on a clear and consistent evaluation framework.

How does CERS work?

CERS is a powerful software tool that is flexible enough to help quickly capture and structure traditional cycling issues.  Individual assessment of each link in the cyclingroute and crossing acts to create a comprehensive environment review and includes ‘rating’ a variety of criteria. This allows for positive and negative deviations and the flexibility to assess the perceived importance of individual elements. The type of cycling environment to be reviewed defines each specific link, so a town centre may be categorised into several links for cyclists as the environment and surroundings change. The cycling environment is then assessed using a set of parameters.

CERS provides a comprehensive, quantitative assessment of the cycling environment and its key elements. The entire analysis enables objective comparisons of the level of service for cycling along different routes and for different public spaces, so that effective strategic decision making and targeting of investment at a town and borough level can be made towards a best value approach. CERS is not just an appraisal tool, it provides a graphical output suitable for public consultation.

CERS is adaptable and flexible to meet the needs of cycling situations providing high rates of return. For example, in reviewing the pedestrian environment around a school, assessment areas such as safety can be given a greater weighting in order to place increased emphasis on the importance of this factor on a cycling journey to school.

The TRL streetaudit approach consists of three integrated components:

• A comprehensive handbook for users giving guidance on the physical review.
• Data collection sheets for use on-site.
• Specially designed and developed software to allow for rapid analysis and comparison of routes and spaces.

With CERS, reviews are quick to conduct and present a cost-effective method for assessment of cycling provision with information that is consistent, easily comparable and clearly presented.