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Measuring the Pedestrian Experience Through

Walk Audits

A presentation to theA presentation to theA i P bli W k A i tiA i P bli W k A i tiAmerican Public Works AssociationAmerican Public Works Association

September 16, 2009September 16, 2009

AgendaAgendagg

1. Description of a walk audit1. Description of a walk audit

2 Field trip2 Field trip2. Field trip2. Field trip

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City of ColumbusDivision of Mobility Options

DefinitionA walk audit is a diagnostic tool used to gassess the pedestrian environment of a street, school environment or neighborhood for safety, access, comfort and convenience.

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Goals • Share knowledge of pedestrian and bicycle

challenges and potential solutions through g p gfirsthand experience in the physical environment

• Provide community a greater understanding of strengths and weaknesses when prioritizing solutions

• Explain the basics of community mobility planningExplain the basics of community mobility planning

Note: Not every street in a neighborhood can be walked on an audit typically. Streets walked should provide samples of typical issues in area under consideration. More/all streets are investigated for mobility planning.

Objectives• Exchange ideas between city engineers, planners

and residents• Identify barriers to mobility

• Educate residents on current practices and tools for walkable and bikeable communities

• Provide additional data for community-mobility plans from residents knowledgeable about neighborhood issuesissues

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Benefits• Promote team building between residents and

city staffy

• Public Health • promote active transportation

• Learn ways to incorporate walking and bicycling into fitness plans

• Reduce obesity rate

1998

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1990, 1998, 2008

(*BMI ≥30, or about 30 lbs. overweight for 5’4” person)

1990

2008

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%

Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention

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Health PerspectiveLong Term Long Term Health Health

ImpactsImpactsShort Term Impacts

Walking to school

Walkability and Bikeability Features

Wide sidewalksPhysical activityPhysical activityPedestrian Pedestrian safetysafety

ObesityObesityHeart diseaseHeart diseaseCancersCancers

Walking to schoolTrips on foot or bikeMotor vehicle use

Wide sidewalks

Open space and parks

Aesthetics

Close proximity of destinations

Community support

Street treesDiabetesDiabetesPremature Premature mortalitymortality

Air pollution Air pollution (asthma)(asthma)

Street trees

Buffers

Health PerspectiveHealthy Places Walk AuditsMobility Options participationMobility Options participationSafe Routes to School Partnership

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Preparation

• Develop core walk route; can be modified en routeen route

• Divide large area into smaller areas, each with their own walk

• Identify walking destinations• Talk to stakeholders • Walk route in advance• Use a checklist

Typical Mobility Checklist

• Sidewalks and curb rampsBicycle parking and bikeway facilities• Bicycle parking and bikeway facilities

• Motorized-vehicle operation and parking• Multi-use paths• Routes to schools, parks, bus stops, libraries, etc.• Street lighting and traffic signals• Street lighting and traffic signals• Traffic signage and pavement markings• Green space and trees• Benches, water fountains, pedestrian amenities

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Logistics

• Schedule on weekend, possibly in conjunction with a community event festivalconjunction with a community event, festival, etc.

• Duration of walk: 1 to 2 hours max• Consider weather; summer mornings are best• Conduct simultaneously with schoolchildren

commuting?

Publicity

• FliersPosters• Posters

• E-mails• Web site• Newsletters• Newspaper articles• Newspaper articles• Schools and churches• Civic and business associations• Changeable message signs

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Comfort & Safety Equipment• Participants

• Photo identificationPhoto identification

• Cellphone, wristwatch

• Safety vest, hat, appropriate footwear, sunscreen

• Leader• Police department contact information

• Cellphone, wristwatch

• Clipboard

• Stopwatch

• Measuring tape

• Water, first aid kit

• Pedometer

Walk Audit: Six Questions to Ask Participants

Concentrate on gathering issues, residents do not have to be mobility

• Where do you like to go and how do you get there?

• Did you have room to walk?

yexperts but they have local knowledge

• Is it easy to cross streets?• Do drivers behave well?• Could you follow safety rules?• Was your walk pleasant?

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Teaching Topics

The Five E’s

• EducationEncouragement• Encouragement

• Enforcement• Engineering• Environment

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Components of a walk audit

• Recognize all ages, abilities and modesabilities and modesof transportation

• Include exercises such as forming human traffic circle

• Demonstrate curb extension• Demonstrate curb extension• Point out “Eyes on the Street”

Destinations

• Walk Score ranks2 508 neighborhoodsods2,508 neighborhoodsodsin the 40 largest U.S. cities to help users find a potentiallywalkable place to live.

• Walk Score ratingdisregards facilities.

• Planning objective: Match facilities with demand• WalkScore.com

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Pedestrian Facilities

• Explain basics of Americans withAmericans with Disabilities Act

• Inventory missing and damaged sidewalk, ramps, street lights, street lights, traffic signs and signalstraffic signs and signalstraffic signs and signalstraffic signs and signals

•• Remind residents that property owners are Remind residents that property owners are responsible for installation and maintenance of responsible for installation and maintenance of sidewalks but not curbssidewalks but not curbs

•• Prioritize routes to school for sidewalks and rampsPrioritize routes to school for sidewalks and ramps

Bicycle Facilities

• Remind participants about cycling rulesabout cycling rules and sharing the road

• Emphasize wearing helmets and safety gear

• Inventory streets for possible• Inventory streets for possible bike lanes, paths and parking

• Inquire about boarding bikes on buses and other public transit

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Public Transit Facilities

• Identify locations of bus stopsInventory stops for curb ramps sidewalks• Inventory stops for curb ramps, sidewalks, lighting, shelter, etc.

• Contact public-transit provider to request accommodations and improvementsimprovements

Traffic Calming for All Users

•• Educate users re: mini circles, Educate users re: mini circles, roundaboutsroundabouts bumpoutsbumpoutsroundabouts, roundabouts, bumpoutsbumpouts, , medians, chicanes, chokers, medians, chicanes, chokers, neckdownsneckdowns, etc., etc.

•• Point out pros and consPoint out pros and consof different treatmentsof different treatments

•• Recognize value of brick streetsRecognize value of brick streets•• Recognize value of brick streetsRecognize value of brick streets•• Detail considerations and ramificationsDetail considerations and ramifications

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Sample Toolbox

Speed Hump Chicane Refugee Island

Mini Circle Bumpout Median

Typical Questions and Concerns

“Cars are speeding down my street.We need a four-way stop!”We need a four way stop!

“Who can fix my sidewalk?”

“The walk signal never comes on.”

Be prepared for unusual questions and comments as a City

representative

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Resources

Free 79-page PDF:www walkinginfo org/www.walkinginfo.org/residentsguide

Resources

WalkingInfo.orgBicyclingInfo orgBicyclingInfo.orgBikePed.orgPedBikeInfo.orgSafeRoutesInfo.orgSafeKids.orgAmericaWalks.orgNSC.org/walkableIWalktoSchool.orgWalkableCommunities.orgFWHA.dot.gov/environment/bikepedAccess-board.gov

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Today’s Walk Audit Neighborhood

Any questions before we go?

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Thank You!Thank You!Thank You!Thank You!

William Lewis, P.E.Chief Mobility EngineerDivision of Mobility OptionsDivision of Mobility Options

(614) 645-6086walewis @columbus.gov

Let’s Walk!