A cordon count program to monitor pedestrian and bicycle exposure in an urban activity area: case study of a university campus in a winter city

Pedestrian and bicycle exposure data underpin road safety analyses and related investment decisions, yet many urban areas struggle to implement programs to monitor pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Consequently, there is a need to advance research and practice in non-motorized traffic monitoring and an opportunity to establish monitoring programs for urban activity areas with unique travel patterns. This study designs and implements a novel cordon count program for monitoring pedestrian and bicycle traffic to/from a university campus in a winter city, namely, Winnipeg, Canada. Application of the four-step methodology (program planning, data collection, processing, analysis) yields insights into modal, spatial, and temporal characteristics of non-motorized traffic. The findings reveal differences between pedestrian and bicycle volumes, which are strongly influenced by spatial features (e.g., land use), temporal drivers (e.g., semesters), and weather. This understanding supports the safe accommodation of pedestrians and bicycles, and helps justify the prioritization of investments targeting these modes.