OSM Cycling Quality Index

A Python script for QGIS that generates a cycling quality index from OpenStreetMap data for every way segment. The type of way, width and surface attributes, characteristics of parallel roads and a few other attributes are processed and an index value from 0 to 100 is calculated, which indicates the suitability of a way/road segment for cycle traffic. Also a variant of the four-stage "Levels of Traffic Stress" are calculated.

Included way and road properties

Distinction of 16 way types, depending on OSM tagging (e.g. cycle tracks and different types of lanes, sidepath or non-sidepath cycle path, shared or segregated path, shared footways/roads/traffic or bus lanes, bicycle roads, crossings, links...)
Basic geometric sidepath detection, if not tagged explicitly
Evaluation of width attributes and surface characteristics (surface and smoothness)
Evaluation of the road classification and maximum speed (for shared roads and side paths)
Evaluation of separation and buffer characteristics
Evaluation of other attributes such as lighting, adjacent parking lanes or surface colour
Calculation of index values and factors for the mentioned property groups and derivation of a total index (0..100)
Calculation of Levels of Traffic Stress (1..4), a common methodology for assessing cycling infrastructure and the cycle-friendliness of roads and paths

How to use this script

Run Overpass-Query for the desired area/region to get OpenStreetMap road and way data suitable for cycling
Export result as GeoJSON to 'data/way_import.geojson' (or save different input files with an appended number starting at 1 to evaluate larger or different areas (e.g. 'way_import1.geojson', 'way_import2.geojson'...); set 'multi_input = True' in this case)
Run this python script in QGIS
1. "Plugins" => "Python Console"
2. (If internal Python Editor Panel is hidden: Right click in Console => "Show Editor")
3. Open File in QGIS Python Editor
4. Run from there (Note: Do not use the "Browser" => File => "Run Script")

Notes on future developments

The index is a proof of concept of what is possible with OSM data. It is intended as a basis for discussion rather than a finished project. To be able to process the index for larger areas in the future, we are planning a better technical implementation (in particular processing via PostgreSQL instead of a Python script – currently it's based on "hobby" Python knowledge).

Example visualization

An interactive demo map for Berlin can be found here: OpenStreetMap Verkehrswende / Cycling Quality Index
The index was presented at the FOSSGIS Conference 2024. A video recording and the slides can be found on our project page

frida-161 / osm-cycling-quality-index Goto Github PK