Erath, Alexander

Lade...
Profilbild
E-Mail-Adresse
Geburtsdatum
Projekt
Organisationseinheiten
Berufsbeschreibung
Nachname
Erath
Vorname
Alexander
Name
Erath, Alexander

Suchergebnisse

Gerade angezeigt 1 - 10 von 11
  • Publikation
    Quantifizierung der Wirkung von Elementen des Strassenraumes auf die gefahrene Geschwindigkeit
    (Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA), 12/2022) Schaffner, Dorothea; Studer, Nora; Kaufmann, Kaspar; Yildirimlar, Okan; Erath, Alexander; van Eggermond, Michael; Kalunder, Madlaina; Schubiger, Simon; Hüsser, Cloe; Zirn, Andrea; Schweizer, Nina; Gasser, Yves; Fischer, Raffael; Lauper, Severin
    05 - Forschungs- oder Arbeitsbericht
  • Publikation
    Forecasting district-wide pedestrian volumes in multi-level networks in high-density mixed-use areas
    (Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL), 06/2022) Mavros, Panos; van Eggermond, Michael; Erath, Alexander; Helle, Veera; Acebillo, Pablo; Xu, Shuchen; van Nees, Akkelies; de Koning, Remco Elric; Jacobsen Åsli, Thale [in: 13th International Space Syntax Symposium]
    This paper is concerned with improvements in the forecasting of pedestrian flows in multilevel pedestrian networks in high-density urban environments. 3D network topology measures are combined with land-use data, and validated against extensive pedestrian counts, to provide both evidence for the applicability of network analysis in tropical metropolises, as well as a calibrated tool for urban planners. The research focuses on four area in Singapore. These areas have in common that they all are prominent transport hubs, but differ in surrounding land-use types and dominant network topology (e.g. indoor, outdoor, above ground, below ground, at grade). Multi-level pedestrian networks were drawn based on OpenStreetMap, include sidewalks on both sides of major roads for a radius up to 2 kilometres from the site centroids. Spatial network analysis was performed using sDNA which allows vertical networks to generate measures describing the spatial configuration of the network. Subsequently, pedestrian counts were conducted during three consecutive days. In total, counts were conducted at more than 250 locations in 2018 and 2019, well before the global COVID19 pandemic. Pedestrian flows are set against a series of variables, including pedestrian attractors and generators (e.g. shops, offices, hotels, dwellings), and variables describing the spatial configuration of the network, using advanced regression models. Our results show that betweenness metrics (i.e. space syntax choice) combined with land-use yield high predictive power. Dependent on the study site, network metrics based on angular distance outperform those based on metric distance or perceived link distance. This research demonstrates that is necessary to account for the multi-level nature of networks, and that indoor flows through private developments cannot be neglected, in particular when planning for integrated transport developments. The paper concludes with recommendations and implications for practice.
    04B - Beitrag Konferenzschrift
  • Publikation
    Pool More, Drive Less: An In-Depth Qualitative Investigation of Barriers and Motivators of Ride-Pooling in Autonomous Vehicles
    (2022) Stefanelli, Annalisa; Haiderer, Nicole; Studer, Nora; Schaffner, Dorothea; Erath, Alexander; van Eggermond, Michael
    Ride-pooling (RP) in autonomous vehicles (AVs) has the potential to combine the sustainability of public transport with the comfort of a private car. In our study we investigated consumers’ acceptance of RP in AVs through in-depth qualitative interviews, identifying relevant barriers and motivators of using this new mobility service.
    04B - Beitrag Konferenzschrift
  • Publikation
    Image-based reality-capturing and 3D modelling for the creation of VR cycling simulations
    (Copernicus, 17.06.2021) Wahbeh, Wissam; Ammann, Manuela; Nebiker, Stephan; van Eggermond, Michael; Erath, Alexander; Wahbeh, Wissam [in: ISPRS Annals of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences]
    With this paper, we present a novel approach for efficiently creating reality-based, high-fidelity urban 3D models for interactive VR cycling simulations. The foundation of these 3D models is accurately georeferenced street-level imagery, which can be captured using vehicle-based or portable mapping platforms. Depending on the desired type of urban model, the street-level imagery is either used for semi-automatically texturing an existing city model or for automatically creating textured 3D meshes from multi-view reconstructions using commercial off-the-shelf software. The resulting textured urban 3D model is then integrated with a real-time traffic simulation solution to create a VR framework based on the Unity game engine. Subsequently, the resulting urban scenes and different planning scenarios can be explored on a physical cycling simulator using a VR helmet or viewed as a 360-degree or conventional video. In addition, the VR environment can be used for augmented reality applications, e.g., mobile augmented reality maps. We apply this framework to a case study in the city of Berne to illustrate design variants of new cycling infrastructure at a major traffic junction to collect feedback from practitioners about the potential for practical applications in planning processes.
    04B - Beitrag Konferenzschrift
  • Publikation
    Studying bicyclists’ perceived level of safety using a bicycle simulator combined with immersive virtual reality
    (Elsevier, 2021) Nazemi, Mohsen; van Eggermond, Michael; Erath, Alexander; Schaffner, Dorothea; Joos, Michael; Axhausen, Kay W. [in: Accident Analysis & Prevention]
    There is a need for methods that provide a better understanding of bicyclists’ perceived safety and preferences on currently unavailable and/or unknown bicycle facilities. Different survey methods have been used to study bicyclists’ behavior, experiences, and preferences; ranging from verbally described facilities to surveys including images and videos. Virtual Reality (VR) experiments blur the boundaries between stated preference (SP) surveys and revealed preference (RP) surveys and provide a realistic sense of design. This research introduces a novel research method in bicycling research and discusses the results of an experiment using a bicycle simulator combined with immersive VR. In total, 150 participants participated in this experiment and were asked about demographics and perceptions and preferences after bicycling in five different environments with an instrumented bicycle in VR. A 5 2 mixed design was used with bicycling environment as within-subject factor and pedestrian / traffic volume as between-subject factor. ANOVA tests revealed how each environment and ambient pedestrian / traffic volume affected perceived level of safety (PLOS) and willingness to bicycle (WTB). Pairwise comparison showed that participants felt safer bicycling on the segregated bicycle path compared to bicycling on the painted bicycle path on the road and roadside. There was no meaningful difference between WTB for less than 10 min and WTB for more than 10 min between bicycling on a painted bicycle path on the sidewalk and painted bicycle path on the road. PLOS and WTB ratings of men and women were not significantly different from each other. The older segment of the sample was more worried about roadside bicycling and bicycle commuters were more confident to ride on the roadside. Despite having several limitations, immersive 360-degree VR was found a powerful presentation tool to evaluate future street designs which can inform transport and urban planning.
    01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
  • Publikation
    Using backcasting to support corporate mobility management
    (2021) van Eggermond, Michael; Erath, Alexander
    The paper at hand describes a research project conducted in collaboration with a major employer based in Basel, Switzerland. The company employs innovative mobility policies, such as a strict parking regime, with lots only available to employees who have to travel more than 45 minutes by public transport, offers bike sharing and public transport bonuses, but would like to further reduce parking lots and desires to reduce greenhouse emissions resulting from commuting while remaining an attractive employer. The aim of the project was the to better understand the impact of exogenous developments (e.g. new train lines, road pricing, infrastructure improvements, safer cycling routes) and endogenous mobility policies (e.g. bike sharing, parking fees, charging stations). These developments and policies were identified in a series of workshops with stakeholders. At the same, key performance indicators were formulated. Instead of forecasting the impact of these policy measures, the project set out to describe a desirable future (e.g., less emissions, attractive employer), reason backwards from the desired situation and formulate a package of policy measures that could in this future, whilst taking into account exogenous developments. This process is also known as backcasting and has been applied in several studies (e.g. Banister et al., 2000; Barandier 2015) To quantify the impact of the policy measures several data sets were available and newly collected. Travel times and distances for motorized private transport, walking and cycling were calculated using the Google travel time API for all employees. As Google’s API only offers limited coverage for public transport in Germany and France, use was made of publicly available public transport schedules and the open-source routing engine R5. A survey was conducted among employees, resulting in over 6000 responses. Based on the survey data, choice models were estimated and applied. Exogenous and endogenous developments for over 10 policy measures were quantified using simplified assumptions, whilst taking into account the spatial differences, and used to forecast the impact of each individual measure and combinations of measures. Measures include the impact of e-bike provision, the impact of improved cycling infrastructure, new train stations and the differentiated parking fees. The project resulted in a set of mobility policies and recommendations to monitor these mobility policies, and the methodology has been applied at other stakeholders to support sustainable mobility policies.
    06 - Präsentation
  • Publikation
    Image-based reality-capturing and 3D modelling for the creation of VR cycling simulations
    (Copernicus, 2021) Wahbeh, Wissam; Ammann, Manuela; Nebiker, Stephan; van Eggermond, Michael; Erath, Alexander [in: ISPRS Annals of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences]
    With this paper, we present a novel approach for efficiently creating reality-based, high-fidelity urban 3D models for interactive VR cycling simulations. The foundation of these 3D models is accurately georeferenced street-level imagery, which can be captured using vehicle-based or portable mapping platforms. Depending on the desired type of urban model, the street-level imagery is either used for semi-automatically texturing an existing city model or for automatically creating textured 3D meshes from multi-view reconstructions using commercial off-the-shelf software. The resulting textured urban 3D model is then integrated with a real-time traffic simulation solution to create a VR framework based on the Unity game engine. Subsequently, the resulting urban scenes and different planning scenarios can be explored on a physical cycling simulator using a VR helmet or viewed as a 360-degree or conventional video. In addition, the VR environment can be used for augmented reality applications, e.g., mobile augmented reality maps. We apply this framework to a case study in the city of Berne to illustrate design variants of new cycling infrastructure at a major traffic junction to collect feedback from practitioners about the potential for practical applications in planning processes.
    01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift
  • Publikation
    Studying bicyclists’ perceived level of safety using a cycling simulator combined with immersive virtual reality
    (18.11.2019) Nazemi, Mohsen; van Eggermond, Michael; Erath, Alexander; Joos, Michael; Schaffner, Dorothea; Axhausen, Kay W. [in: 8th International Cycling Safety Conference (ICSC 2019)]
    04B - Beitrag Konferenzschrift
  • Publikation
    Speed and space perception in virtual reality for bicycle research
    (2018) Nazemi, Mohsen; van Eggermond, Michael; Erath, Alexander; Schaffner, Dorothea; Joos, Michael; Axhausen, Kay W. [in: 7th International Cycling Safety Conference (ICSC 2018)]
    Survey methods for bicycle research have been evolved in time, ranging from conventional tel- ephone surveys, paper-based and web-based surveys, to in-depth Virtual Reality (VR) ones, all aiming to provide insights about diversity among behaviours (McNeil et al., 2015; Tilahun et al., 2007; Xu et al., 2017). The underlying criteria in all of the aforementioned methods is that re- spondents need to understand what they are valuing or they will make potentially wrong as- sumptions based on different experiences and frames of reference. VR allows for highly-detailed observations, accurate behaviour measurements, and systematic environmental manipulations under controlled laboratory circumstances. It therefore has the potential to be a valuable re- search tool to carry out behavioural experiments to study cyclists’ perception of safety and com- fort. In order to fully understand VR as a valid environmental representation, it is essential to examine to what extent not only user cognition and behaviour, but also if users’ experiences are analogous in real and virtual environments (Kuliga et al., 2015). The aim of this research is to find out how accurately participants perceive speed and distance of the passing vehicles and find out solutions to calibrate virtual environments, particularly for bicycle research. To this end, a VR experiment was devised that allows respondents to cycle through a variety of streets, and in which the passing speed and distance of passing vehicles - two are crucial variables influencing cyclists’ perception of environment - is varied.
    04B - Beitrag Konferenzschrift
  • Publikation
    Introducing the pedestrian accessibility tool. Walkability analysis for a geographic information system
    (SAGE, 2017) Erath, Alexander; van Eggermond, Michael; Ordóñez, Sergio A.; Axhausen, Kay W. [in: Transportation Research Record]
    The indexes for walkability proposed so far refer generally to the closest amenities and public transport stops and the existing network structure. The weights of the attributes do not reflect the independently measured preferences of the users and residents. Design attributes such as the location and type of crossings and walkway design features are usually surveyed in walkability audits. However, such attributes are usually not considered when pedestrian walksheds or other accessibility-based walkability indexes are calculated. Nevertheless, these design attributes are very relevant for actual planning decisions. The proposed walkability index can be behaviorally calibrated, has been implemented as a geographic information system tool, and is published as open source software. The pedestrian accessibility tool allows the evaluation of existing and future urban plans with regards to walkability. The tool calculates Hansen-based accessibility indicators with the use of a customizable specification of the generalized walking costs, and it incorporates user-defined weights of destination attractiveness. The basic user workflow of the tool is summarized. Three case studies show real-world applications of the tool to support the planning of pedestrian infrastructure in an urban context. With indications of potential areas of improvement that have been reported by pilot users working in an urban planning department, hints are also given for future research.
    01A - Beitrag in wissenschaftlicher Zeitschrift