User acceptability as the basis for performance-based specifications for a major cycling facility.

Specifications for a build-operate-transfer contract for a premier bicycle and multi-use trail have been developed for roughness, texture and skid resistance. Roughness standards have been established on the basis of user acceptability ratings. The paper decides the process for selecting sites, measuring the physical characteristics of the paths at these sites, obtaining cyclists ratings, and correlating the cyclist ratings with the physical measurements. In the case of asphalt paths, user ratings were correlated with roughness measured by the ARRB Walking Profiler. This was not appropriate for concrete paths, due to the very limited range of roughness and to discomfort being caused by vertical displacement between slabs rather than roughness per se. To establish acceptability limits for concrete paths, riders rated the discomfort of riding over chipboard sheets of different thicknesses. Different specifications are proposed for asphalt and concrete paths, but aimed at providing equivalent comfort levels, to the extent that this is possible. Application of this procedure to other types of facility is discussed. (a).