Prioritisation of Obstruction Removal on Active Travel Networks (Lightning Talk)
Channel: FOSS4G:UK
Date: 2022-11-17

Chris Larkin
This talk will present an open-source methodology to determine the removal priority of obstructions on active travel networks.
Obstructions such as barriers, raised kerbs, gates and narrow passages are highly prevalent along active travel routes within the UK. These obstructions are discriminatory to potential active travel users. These include people with adapted cycles, pushchairs and wheelchairs. Further, these obstructions can be a deterrent to able-bodied cyclists. Active travel advocacy groups such as Sustrans are aiming to eliminate these obstructions. However, the limited finances available to these groups mean not all obstructions can be removed immediately. Therefore, the removal priority must be identified to allow for the most valuable accessibility gains to be obtained first.  
This research develops a python-based open-source methodology to rank the removal priority of obstructions. Obstructions are ranked based on an index score. The index is formed of six metrics which aim to capture all aspects of removal desirability. The methodology is applied to obstructions on the UK’s National Cycle Network.