Pedestrian Planning

This chapter looks at how to begin a pedestrian planning study. We have one intersection to redesign and need to consider the best methods to start the study prior to going into the field. A discussion of the aspects of the intersection necessary to collect in the field and how to use Google Earth as a planning tool for field work sends the planner off into Chapter 2.

This chapter takes the planner into the field, using video of the intersection to assist in depicting the aspects of the street that are importation in understanding potential recommendations to improve pedestrian safety, quality of life and access. The focus of this chapter is on the non-behavioral attributes of an intersection such as street geometry, signal timing, sidewalk width and curb ramp conditions.

This chapter brings the planner back from the field and into the office to analyze the data collected in Chapter 2. Importing Google Earth maps of the intersection into Power Point shows the planner how easy it is to present the existing conditions of an intersection as graphics. 

This chapter departs from our intersection to a busier intersection one block over to show the planner tips on collecting the behavioral aspects of an intersection. We moved away from our intersection as motorists and pedestrians actually functioned together too well! In this video lesson we look at how pedestrians and motorists operate in an intersection to help craft future recommendations.

This chapter uses video to illustrate two additional pieces of information important in pedestrian planning projects: pedestrian tracking surveys and vehicle operations. Looking at an intersection from a different angle assists the planner in understanding the data collection methods and graphically depicting this information using Google Earth images as base maps.

This chapter takes the planner back to the original intersection using video to look at attributes of the intersection that contribute to and hinder access for senior citizens and people with visual and mobility impairments. Following the video lesson is a discussion of resources to assist the planner in creating Americans with Disabilities (ADA) compliant recommendations.

This chapter brings together the ideas depicted in 2-dimensional images derived from fieldwork, and the knowledge gained from using video to collect 3-dimensional perspectives to analyze pedestrian safety, access and quality of life issues at our intersection. After analyzing the intersection, we learn a few recommendations to address these issues.

This chapter uses Google Earth to assist the planner in explaining the existing conditions and recommendations to their community group. Ideas on presenting the findings from the pedestrian planning study as a presentation and a report, as well as lessons learned throughout this course complete this effort.