Impact of a Dedicated Bicycle Lane at a Selected Intersection

This study aims to evaluate the impact of a separated bicycle lane in Gulshan, an upscale district in Dhaka city, to alleviate traffic congestion during peak hours. The demand for vehicular transportation in Gulshan is high due to its multiple foreign embassies, corporate offices and high-end commerce, resulting in a traffic capacity that often surpasses peak-hour traffic. With a modal share of 9%, bicycles were considered as a viable transportation mode. Using VISSIM model, the existing roadway configuration was compared with a roadway section that includes a separated bicycle lane, considering the level of service (LOS), travel time, queue length and greenhouse gas emissions. The introduction of a separated bicycle lane resulted in a reduced volume-to-capacity ratio (V/C), thus improving the LOS of the roadway section. The overall LOS of the roadway section was upgraded from E to C and queue length and greenhouse gas emissions were also reduced. The stop delay was reduced by 71% due to the removal of all non-motorized vehicles from the motorized vehicle lane, making the traffic more homogenous. Thus, the study suggests that the implementation of a dedicated bicycle lane in a busy area like Gulshan can help improve the overall traffic condition.