Measuring Measuring WalkingWalking

Todd LitmanTodd LitmanVictoria Transport Policy InstituteVictoria Transport Policy Institute

Walk21 WorkshopWalk21 Workshop1 October 20071 October 2007

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Evaluating WalkingEvaluating Walking

• Wakability - the quality of walking conditions.

• Walking activity - the amount of walking that occurs.

• Walking Models - predicts how much walking would occur in specific conditions.

• Walking Evaluation –calculates the benefits of improved walkability and increased walking activity.

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Paradigm ShiftsParadigm Shifts

Mobility - physical movement. Measured as vehicle travel.

Accessibility - obtaining desired goods, services and activities. Inclucdes:

• Mobility

• Land use accessibiltiy

• Mobility substitutes

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Measuring WalkabilityMeasuring Walkability

• Pedestrian network quality (quality of paths, sidewalks and crosswalks).

• Pedestrian network connectivity(how well sidewalks and paths are connected allowing direct pedestrian access to destinations).

• Land use accessibility (distance between common destinations, such as homes, shops, schools, parks).

• Security (how safe people feel while walking, including personal security and traffic safety).

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Pedestrian LevelPedestrian Level--ofof--Service (Dixon)Service (Dixon)

01

No supportSupport exists

TDM/Multi Modal(Max. value = 1)

-102

Major or frequent problemsMinor or infrequent problemsNo problems

Maintenance(Max. value = 2)

012

LOS = E, F, or 6+ travel lanesLOS = D, & < 6 travel lanesLOS = A, B, C, & < 6 travel lanes

Motor Vehicle LOS(Max. value = 2)

10.50.5

Buffer not less than 1m (3’5”)Benches or pedestrian scale lightingShade trees

Amenities(Max. value = 2)

10.50.50.50.51

Driveways & sidestreetsPed. Signal delay 40 sec. or lessReduced turn conflict implementationCrossing width 18.3 m (60’) or lessPosted speedMedians present

Conflicts(Max. value = 10)

046211

Not continuous or non-existentContinuous on one sideContinuous on both sidesMin. 1.53 m (5’) wide & barrier freeSidewalk width >1.53 (5’)Off-street/parallel alternative facility

Facility (Max. value = 10)

PointsFactor

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Measuring Walking ActivityMeasuring Walking Activity

• Purpose (commute, errand, recreation, etc.)

• When and where

• User demographics

• Whether it substitutes for motorized travel.

• Geographic conditions

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Walking Tends to be UndercountedWalking Tends to be Undercounted

• Difficult to measure

• Short distances

• Used by disenfranchised populations

• Low cost

• Lack of respect

• “Will take advantage of itself”

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If, instead of asking, “What portion of trips are only by active transport? We ask, “What portion of trips involve someactive transport?”the portion of active transport typically increases 2-6 times.

Conventional Comprehensive

Mode

Split

NMT

Transit

Auto

Counting All WalkingCounting All Walking

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0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Walk Bicycle PublicTransit

AutomobileDriver

AutomobilePassenger

DistanceTimeTrips

Distance, Time and Trips (UK Data)Distance, Time and Trips (UK Data)

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Conventional Evaluation Measures Traffic Conventional Evaluation Measures Traffic

� Traffic speeds and congestion delay� Roadway Level-of-service � Vehicle operating costs� Vehicle crash rates� Parking supply and occupancy

This favors mobility over accessibility and automobile travel over alternative modes.

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Walking BenefitsWalking Benefits

• Fun

• Fitness and health

• Affordable, consumer cost savings

• Improves mobility options for non-drivers (equity benefits)

• Supports use of public transit.

• Reduces congestion.

• Road and parking cost savings.

• Energy conservation.

• Reduces pollution.

• Supports smart growth land use.

• Supports economic development.

• Attractive legs.

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Comparing BenefitsComparing Benefits

�Public fitness & health

�Land use objectives (smart growth)

��Pollution reduction

��Energy conservation

�Improve traffic safety

�Improve mobility options

�Consumer cost savings

�Parking cost savings

�Roadway cost savings

��Reduce traffic congestion

Efficient and Alternative Fuel

Vehicles

Increase Roadway Capacity

Improving Walkability

Planning Objectives

“Quantifying the Benefits of Non-Motorized Transport for Achieving TDM Objectives”

“Whose Roads? Evaluating Bicyclists and Pedestrian’s Rights To Use Public Roadways”

“Well Measured: Sustainable Transportation Indicators”

“Economic Value of Walkability”

“Online TDM Encyclopedia”

and more...

www.vtpi.org