Researchers from Texas A&M’s Texas Transportation Institute and the UT Center for Transportation Research want your help gathering data for improving bicycle routes and services in Austin. Participation is easy: Just download a program to your iPhone or Android called Cycle Tracks, and use it on your trips.

“The GPS system will allow us to gather information about bicyclists and their preferred bike routes,” says TTI Associate Engineer Joan Hudson. “By taking part in the Austin-based program, users are providing valuable data that tells us where we need to focus improvements. We will also be able to determine how effective this satellite data collection is, compared to traditional information gathering techniques such as surveys.”

The study coincides with Bike to Work Week (which begins Monday, May 16) and data collection continues through June. Participation is anonymous unless the cyclist chooses to share personal info, which will allow the researchers to compare demographics. For more info, go to www.cycletracksaustin.com.

This article appears in May 13 • 2011.

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