Mobilidade sustentável: Investigação sobre integração da bicicleta com trem urbano de passageiros

Abstract

Commuting is a human need that predates even civilization. With the disorderly growth of cities, increasing motorization rates, and congestion, there is a growing environmental concern for promoting more sustainable modes of transportation. The daily commute distances and times required for people living in peripheral regions socially segregate them from better employment opportunities. In this scenario, the train is the preferred mode of transportation, due to its efficient relationship between distance travel and travel time. However, accessibility to train stations, among other issues, diminishes the attractiveness of this mode of transportation. In this context, cycling proves efficient, making access faster, cheaper, and less congested, with the potential to improve accessibility to train stations, as well as serving as a means of connecting points of interest within the station's catchment area. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the integration between bicycles and urban passenger trains, analyzing their catchment areas at two stations on the Red Line of SuperVia's Deodoro Branch (RJ): Madureira and São Cristóvão stations. For a selected area, cycling routes were proposed to improve accessibility to train stations and encourage bicycle use. After a literature review, criteria were selected as the methodology, based on data and analysis of georeferenced maps of each station using ArcGIS. Isochrones of 5, 10, and 15 minutes were plotted on the maps to delimit each station's area of influence. An online survey of cyclists, as well as expert opinions from a previous study (Alves, 2024), were incorporated into the analysis. Data analysis identified locations where there is no effective integration between cycling infrastructure and stations, as well as locations where this integration is satisfactory. It can be observed that, for both existing and planned infrastructure, the São Cristóvão station has better infrastructure, as well as a greater number of bike-share stations. Of the three route proposals, only one was considered feasible because it met the slope criterion. It is expected that by improving accessibility and integration of bicycles with the train, the city will become healthier, more sustainable, and more inclusive.