Research on Optimal Design of Cycling Network Based on Respiratory Exposure of PM2.5

Cycling network is one of the essential green infrastructures in cities, whose environment air quality is quite important to the respiratory health of cyclists. In recent years, the problem of respiratory exposure has gradually received extensive attention with the revival of bicycle transport. Taking Siping Neighborhood in Shanghai as an example, this research discusses the distribution pattern of cycling-related PM2.5 exposure and the influence of respiratory exposure on cycling route choice. 1) The research adopts mobile monitoring equipment to measure the concentration of PM2.5 pollutants in the cycling environment of each street section and, in combination with big data of cycling trajectory obtained from shared bicycles, figures out the distribution of the cumulative quantity of PM2.5 exposure in Siping Neighborhood. 2) It builds the Logit model to analyze the mechanism for route choice under the two scenarios of “perceived exposure” and “informed exposure”, finding that there exists a trade-off relationship between the two factors of PM2.5 exposure quantity and time consumption: cyclists significantly prefer low exposure quantity and time consumption in case of perceived exposure, while in case of informed exposure, they prefer taking another route in exchange for lower PM2.5 exposure risk. 3) From the perspective of exposure intervention, the research puts forward suggestions and specific measures for the optimization of cycling network aiming at respiratory health. This research proves the spatial difference of PM2.5 exposure in the micro-environment of cycling network at neighborhood scale. It reveals the influence mechanism of respiratory exposure on cycling route choice, which can provide technical guidance for the construction of a healthy and convenient cycling-friendly network.