2.2. andré pedrosa, helena albuquerque, zélia breda

Promoting the Aveiro region as a cycling tourism destination:The definition of cycle routes

using GISAndré Pedrosa 1, Helena Albuquerque 2, Zélia Breda 3

1 DEGEIT | University of Aveiro [ pedrosa.andre@ua.pt ]2 GOVCOPP | University of Aveiro [ helena.albuquerque@ua.pt ]

3 DEGEIT, GOVCOPP | University of Aveiro [ zelia@ua.pt ]

STRUCTURE

1. Theoretical framework: Cycling tourism and Geographic Information Systems

2. Aveiro Region

3. Methodology: Definition of cycle tourist routes using GISa) Selection of the points of interestb) Definition of routes according to a set of criteria that influence cycling

experiencec) Validation, test and communication

4. Final remarks

Cycling tourism“Cycle tourism can be defined as recreational visits, either overnight or day visits away from home, which involve leisure cycling as a fundamental and significant part of the visit.”Sustrans (1999)

Geographic Information Systems“Everyone has their own favorite definition of a GIS, and there are many to choose from.”“A container of maps in digital form” or a “tool for performing operations on geographic data that are too tedious or expensive or inaccurate if performed by hand.” Longley, Goodchild, Maguire, & Rhind (2005)

1. Theoretical framework 2. Aveiro Region 3. Methodology 4. Final remarks

• Approximately 365,000 inhabitants

• Approximately 1,700 sq. km

• Main natural resources: Aveiro Lagoon, Natural Reserve of São Jacinto Dunes, Vouga River, Pateira de Fermentelos.

• Main cultural heritage: Art Nouveau architecture, tiles, traditions, …

• Gastronomy: Eel, Cod, Ovos Moles (Aveiro), Pão-de-Ló (Ovar), roasted piglet and wine from Bairrada

Figure 1: Aveiro region

1. Theoretical framework 2. Aveiro Region 3. Methodology 4. Final remarks

Phase 1: Selection of points of interest

• Analysis of plans and programs related with cycling and tourism in the Aveiro region;

• Analysis of webpages about tourism in this region: Turismo do Centro, CIRA and municipalities, especially WebGIS “Ria de Aveiro”;

• Selection of points of interest according to their importance and location;

• Individual meetings with stakeholders from each municipality.

2. Aveiro Region 3. Methodology 4. Final remarks1. Theoretical framework

Figure 2: Short haul routes Figure 3: Medium haul routes Figure 4: Long haul routes

Spatial distribution of the points of interest and area radius of each route

2. Aveiro Region 3. Methodology 4. Final remarks1. Theoretical framework

Phase 1: Selection of points of interest

Example: C1 (Short haul route)Points of interest Municipality

Farol da Barra/ Praia da Barra ÍlhavoCais da Bruxa/ Caminho do Praião ÍlhavoPorto de Recreio da Associação Náutica da Gafanha da Encarnação ÍlhavoCaminho do Canal VagosMercado do Peixe/ Praia da Vagueira VagosCais dos Pescadores da Costa Nova ÍlhavoPalheiros da Costa Nova ÍlhavoPraia da Costa Nova ÍlhavoKitebeach / Kite spot Ílhavo

Centro Cultural da Costa Nova Ílhavo

Mercado Municipal da Costa Nova ÍlhavoDoca de Recreio da Marina Clube da Gafanha - MCG Ílhavo

Table 1: Points of interest inside C1 radius area

2. Aveiro Region 3. Methodology 4. Final remarks1. Theoretical framework

Phase 1: Selection of points of interest

•Definition of criteria that influence the selection of the cycling tourism experience

•Processing of geographical data

•Definition of route using the Network Analyst extension (ArcGIS)

2. Aveiro Region 3. Methodology 4. Final remarks1. Theoretical framework

Phase 2: Definition of routes according to several criteria

Selected criteria according to the availability of data

Criteria Data Source

Road length Road segments length

PIMT-RA / CIRACycling pathways Cycling pathways

Traffic Speed Road Speed limitTraffic volume Road capacityDistance from

industrial areasIndustrial areas

location

Landscape Land cover Corine Land Cover (2012)

Classified areas ICNFSlope Altitude MDE Aster

Table 2: Selected criteria, data used and its source

2. Aveiro Region 3. Methodology 4. Final remarks1. Theoretical framework

Phase 2: Definition of routes according to several criteria

Road network• Information about road capacity, speed limit and

cycling pathways.

• Road segment length.

• All values between 0 and 1. Normalization formula:

(Max value – Recorded value) / (Max value – Min value)

• Connection between Ílhavo and São Jacinto (Aveiro) to cross the Aveiro Lagoon by ferryboat.Figure 5: Street network

and ferryboat connection

2. Aveiro Region 3. Methodology 4. Final remarks1. Theoretical framework

Phase 2: Definition of routes according to several criteria

Cycling pathways

• Bike lanes, bike pathways physically separated and bike pathways.

• Updated by each municipality on different dates.

• Road with cycling pathways = 0

• Road without cycling pathways = 1

Figure 6: Cycling pathways in

Aveiro region 2. Aveiro Region 3. Methodology 4. Final remarks1. Theoretical framework

Phase 2: Definition of routes according to several criteria

Speed limit• Road speed limit according with PIMT-RA.

• Highways were deleted.

Speed limit (km/h)

Normalized value (two decimal

places)0 0.0030 0.4340 0.5750 0.7160 0.8670 1.00

Table 3: Value for speed limit

Figure 7: Road speed limit

2. Aveiro Region 3. Methodology 4. Final remarks1. Theoretical framework

Phase 2: Definition of routes according to several criteria

Capacity

• Hourly capacity for each direction according with PIMT-RA.

• Normalization formula results in value 0 for traffic-free roads and in value 1 for streets with hourly capacity for each direction of 3,600 vehicles.

Figure 8: Road capacity

2. Aveiro Region 3. Methodology 4. Final remarks1. Theoretical framework

Phase 2: Definition of routes according to several criteria

Distance to industrial areas

• 14 Industrial areas according with PIMT-RA

Distance (meters) Description Value< 25 Streets inside 1

25 - 100 Access ways 0.75100 - 500 Surrounding roads 0.5

500 - 1,000 Relatively closeby roads 0.25

> 1,000 Other streets 0

Table 4: Distance classes and value

Figure 9: Roads distance from

industrial areas 2. Aveiro Region 3. Methodology 4. Final remarks1. Theoretical framework

Phase 2: Definition of routes according to several criteria

Classified areasClassification Corresponding area

National Network of Protected

AreasNatural Reserve of São

Jacinto Dunes

Natura 2000 Network

Special Protection Zone of the Aveiro

LagoonSites of Community

Importance: Barrinha de Esmoriz; Vouga River; Mira Dunes,

Gândara and Gafanhas; Aveiro

Lagoon Site.

Ramsar SitesPateira de

Fermentelos and the valleys of the rivers Águeda and Cértima

• Classified areas national system

• Roads inside = 0• Roads outside= 1

Table 5: Classified areas in the Aveiro region

Figure 10: Roads location in classified

areas2. Aveiro Region 3. Methodology 4. Final remarks1. Theoretical framework

Phase 2: Definition of routes according to several criteria

Land cover

Classes Value

Artificial surfaces 1

Agriculture areas + forest and semirural areas 0.5

Wetlands + water bodies 0

• Corine Land Cover 2012: Level 1

Table 6: Classes and value for land cover

Figure 11: Land cover adjacent to roads

2. Aveiro Region 3. Methodology 4. Final remarks1. Theoretical framework

Phase 2: Definition of routes according to several criteria

Slope• Maximum length of 100 meters by segments• Formula : Abs ((Altitude from start point - Altitude from end

point)/ Length *100)

Slope (%) Value<2 0

2 to 5 0.255 to 8 0.58 to 12 0.75

>12 1

Figure 12: Road slopes in

percentage

Table 7: Slope categories and its value

2. Aveiro Region 3. Methodology 4. Final remarks1. Theoretical framework

Phase 2: Definition of routes according to several criteria

Criteria weights (%)

Criteria Short (%) Medium (%) Long (%)

Length 20 25 25

Slope 20 20 15

Cycling pathways 20 20 20

Speed limit 15 10 12.5

Road capacity 15 10 12.5

Landscape(Classified area + land cover) 5 10 10

Distance to industrial areas 5 5 5

Table 8: Weights for each criteria by type of route

2. Aveiro Region 3. Methodology 4. Final remarks1. Theoretical framework

Phase 2: Definition of routes according to several criteria

Figure 13: Short haul index Figure 14: Medium haul index Figure 15: Long haul index

Index map by categories

2. Aveiro Region 3. Methodology 4. Final remarks1. Theoretical framework

Phase 2: Definition of routes according to several criteria

Example: C1 (Short)

Figure 16: Route and points of interest (ArcMap View)

2. Aveiro Region 3. Methodology 4. Final remarks1. Theoretical framework

Phase 2: Definition of routes according to several criteria

Tourist cycling routes

Figure 17: Short haul routes Figure 18: Medium haul routes Figure 19: Long haul routes2. Aveiro Region 3. Methodology 4. Final remarks1. Theoretical framework

Phase 2: Definition of routes according to several criteria

Example: C1Point of Interest Municipality Time

requiredLink to

"Riadeaveiro.pt"

Farol da Barra/ Praia da Barra Ílhavo X XCais da Bruxa/ Caminho do

Praião Ílhavo ? ?

Porto de Recreio da Associação Náutica da Gafanha da

EncarnaçãoÍlhavo X X

Caminho do Canal Vagos X XMercado do Peixe/ Praia da

Vagueira Vagos ? ?

Cais dos Pescadores da Costa Nova Ílhavo X X

Palheiros da Costa Nova Ílhavo X ?

Praia da Costa Nova Ílhavo X X

Farol da Barra/ Praia da Barra Ílhavo ? ?Figure 20: Map of the C1 route

Table 9: Points of interest along the route

2. Aveiro Region 3. Methodology 4. Final remarks1. Theoretical framework

Phase 2: Definition of routes according to several criteria

» Validation of all routes by the municipalities’ interlocutors» Testing of all cycling routes» Ria de Aveiro website (CIRA tourism website):

• Route description with a reference to gastronomy of each municipality;• Route map;• Link to a description of the highlighted points of interest;• Reference to others points of interest along the route;• Directions of the route;• KML file;• GPX file;• Useful information (recommendations; bike type; rent-a-bike; tourism offices).

Phase 3: Validation, test and communication

2. Aveiro Region 3. Methodology 4. Final remarks1. Theoretical framework

Contributions• GIS contribution to cycling tourism

• Importance of cycling in the Aveiro region

• Cycling tourism potential in the Aveiro region

3. Methodology 4. Final remarks

Final remarks

2. Aveiro Region

Limitations• Lack of available geographical data

• Some difficulties in data collection – several municipalities…

• Phase 3 is not finished due to time constraints

1. Theoretical framework

Thank you for your attention!Promoting the Aveiro region as a cycling tourism destination: The definition of cycle routes

using GIS

André Pedrosa

pedrosa.andre@ua.pt

Helena Albuquerque helena.albuquerque@ua.pt

Zélia Bredazelia@ua.pt