Smartphone-based evaluation of urban cycling pavement types and rider comfort

Resumo

The assessment of cycling pavements is vital for promoting comfort and safety in the city, encouraging daily bicycle use as a sustainable mode of transport. This study evaluated ride quality on three urban pavement types: asphalt, Portland Cement Concrete (PCC), and pavers, introducing an objective, low-cost approach utilizing smartphone accelerometer and GNSS data. The methodology comprises field tests where vertical accelerations were recorded at the handlebar and seat for time and frequency analysis. Comfort was classified using an adaptation of ISO 2631-1 and NHO-10 standards to evaluate whole-body and hand–arm vibration. The results indicate that paver generated the highest vibration amplitudes, while asphalt and PCC exhibited significantly lower values. Frequency analysis revealed predominant peaks near 15 Hz. In conclusion, the study confirms smartphones as reliable tools for assessing pavement conditions, providing objective data to support urban infrastructure management.