Baltimore Cycling Study

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Affective Spatial Computing: A Machine Learning Framework for Geo-Emotional Intelligence in Urban Infrastructure Planning

Study Information
Principal Investigator: David Dhanesar, Doctoral Candidate
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Greg Walsh, [email protected]
Institution: University of Baltimore, Information and Interaction Design
Contact: [email protected] | (410) 361-0158

Purpose of the Study: You are invited to participate in a research study examining how cyclists emotionally experience Baltimores cycling infrastructure. This study uses diary methodology with validated emotional measurement (PANAS - Positive and Negative Affect Schedule) and GPS location capture to understand how different neighborhoods, times of day, and infrastructure conditions affect cycling experiences. Your participation will help inform evidence-based infrastructure planning recommendations for Baltimore.

What You Will Be Asked to Do: If you agree to participate, you will: 1) Complete 3-5 brief diary entries via a mobile website (https://panas-gps.netlify.app/) during your regular cycling trips over a 2-4 week period. Each entry takes approximately 1-2 minutes and includes a 20-item PANAS emotional assessment, automatic GPS location capture, questions about infrastructure type and conditions, and optional narrative description. 2) Optionally participate in a validation workshop (30-45 minutes) to review your personalized emotional heatmap data compared to aggregated patterns from other participants and Baltimore cycling/accident data. The workshop will be in-person or via Zoom. The researcher will take written notes only; no audio or video recording will be conducted.

Time Commitment: Each diary entry requires approximately 1-2 minutes. With 3-5 entries, your total time commitment will be approximately 10-15 minutes over the summer data collection period (June 1 to July 31, 2026). An optional validation workshop may require an additional 30-45 minutes.

Risks and Benefits: This research involves minimal risk. Potential risks include: time spent completing diary entries; privacy concerns related to GPS location data (addressed through spatial generalization in all publications); and possible discomfort recalling negative cycling experiences. You may skip any question or stop participation at any time. Benefits include contributing to improved cycling infrastructure in Baltimore and receiving access to study findings and visualization tools.

Compensation:
Diary Entries: $25 Amazon gift card for completing all 5 diary entries, or $5 per entry for partial completion. Gift cards distributed via email within two weeks of completion.
Validation Workshop: If you complete all 5 diary entries and participate in the optional workshop, you will receive an additional $15 Amazon gift card.
Total Possible Compensation: $40 ($25 diary + $15 workshop)

Confidentiality and Data Security: Your data will be stored securely in an encrypted database accessible only to the research team. GPS coordinates will be generalized (aggregated to neighborhood level) in all publications and presentations to protect your privacy. Your name will never be associated with specific locations or diary narratives in any research outputs. For workshop participants, the researcher will take written notes only (no audio/video recording). Notes are linked to your study ID, not your name, and stored securely following the same protocols as diary data. Data will be retained for 5 years following study completion, then securely deleted. De-identified data may be shared for future research purposes. You may request your data be deleted at any time by contacting the principal investigator.

Voluntary Participation and Withdrawal: Your participation is completely voluntary. You may withdraw at any time without penalty by contacting the researcher. If you withdraw, you may request deletion of your data. Withdrawal will not affect any relationship you have with the University of Baltimore or Baltimore cycling organizations.

Questions and Concerns: For questions about the study, contact the Principal Investigator, David Dhanesar, at [email protected] or (410) 361-0158, or the Faculty Sponsor, Dr. Greg Walsh, at [email protected]. If you have questions about your rights as a research participant, contact the University of Baltimore Institutional Review Board at [email protected] or (410) 837-4057.