|
<br />Principles of Pedestrian Design
<br />
<br />Walking is the number-one method of human transport
<br />in t],e world. Virtually everyone does it and it makes
<br />up some part of nearly every trip. While this may seem
<br />obvious, it has none the less been routinely overlooked in
<br />the planning and development of our communities and in the
<br />design of our transportation facilities.
<br />
<br />Children and elderly are most likely to depend on walking for
<br />many trip purposes. In many cases if adequate provisions
<br />for walking are not available, these individuals will become
<br />transportation-dependent; that is, they will be forced to rely
<br />on someone else to accommodate their travel needs.
<br />
<br />Distance
<br />Distance is the key factor limiting utilitarian walking trips.
<br />Although distance is a subjective factor in mode choice,
<br />walking trips are predominantly short. When asked what
<br />they considered the maximum distance suitable for walking
<br />on errands, 40 percent of Seattle residents reported one
<br />mile or less and 70 percent reported two miles or less.
<br />Residents of Ontario, Canada, were asked how many minutes
<br />they would be willing to walk on errands and to work. The
<br />average for both trips was just over 20 minutes, which
<br />translates to about 1.25 miles.
<br />
<br />Pedestrians prefer to limit walking distances and will often
<br />take unusual short cuts to save a few steps or a few seconds
<br />of time. Acceptable walking distances are dependent on trip
<br />purpose, total travel time related to this purpose, physical
<br />condition of the pedestrian, walking environment, perceived
<br />safety and security of the walking route, and in some
<br />instances, economic factors.
<br />
<br />Walking Speed
<br />
<br />Walking rates are generally 2.5 to 6.0 feet per second with an
<br />average of 4.0 feet per second, according to the Manual on
<br />Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). However, many
<br />studies acknowledge that the speed is significantly slower
<br />for older pedestrians and propose that a walking rate of 3.0
<br />feet per second should be considered. A new report issued
<br />by the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) states "the
<br />fifteenth percentile walking speed should be used for setting
<br />the design walk speed where there is a high proportion of
<br />elderly pedestrians. In the absence of a specific study this
<br />would be between 3 and 4 feet per second, depending on the
<br />presence of slower pedestrians."
<br />
<br />Reasons for not walking
<br />
<br />The main reasons Americans give for not
<br />walking are distance and time: 61 % say
<br />"things are too far to get to," and 57% "do
<br />not have enough time." Both these factors
<br />are directly related to community design.
<br />
<br />Source: Americans' Attitudes Toward
<br />Walking and Creating Belter Walking
<br />Communities, April 2003, survey conducted
<br />for the 5wface Transportation Policy Project.
<br />
<br />Things are too far toget to,,61%
<br />-:~~,~!~'0(~,"Wfi';~~~"'''"~''~I';jY''rc~~r~
<br />
<br />Not enough time to walk" 57%
<br />'""_~"",.,, _"",,,,,,}II_,,,i
<br />
<br />Lazy-33%
<br />1I;~~~~"I~..,.~",,"~~l'i'1t~
<br />
<br />Too much traffic & lack of places tbwali<~30'/.
<br />
<br />",," .!!<'<
<br />
<br />Not enough sidewalks or crosswalks-26%
<br />,"",",,,,,,,,,,",,"i;W"'"''
<br />
<br />Physically unable-20%
<br />."'~
<br />Do n.ot like to walk-17%
<br />. ''''''''''.".,',-
<br />
<br />Y>.j;\'..','"
<br />
<br />Crime-13%
<br />
<br />';"-" ,.,,,,,,.
<br />
<br />
<br />5
<br />
|