Edmonton (Alta.) - 1991 - Churchill Square pedestrian counts (1991-04)

SD LIBRARY

11744

Churchill Squa a Pedestrian Edmonton Planning an

CHURCHILL SQUARE PEDESTRIAN COUNTS

April, 1991 Downtown Planning Section Planning and Development Department City of Edmonton

4300a .E3 :1371 1991

CHURCHILL SQUARE PEDESTRIAN COUNTS In early 1991, the Downtown Planning Section of the Planning and Development Department conducted a number of pedestrian counts on Churchill Square. The purpose of these counts was to get an understanding of the change in pedestrian patterns and evaluate the use of the new Churchill Square Pedway, which opened on February 4, 1991.

For these reasons, two counts were conducted. The first count took place on January 31, 1991, a week before the pedway opened, while the second count was conducted on March 7, a month after opening of the new pedway connection.

Pedestrian counts of this type should be regarded as general indicators of pedestrian activity. Significant fluctuations can occur depending on weather conditions, day of the week, retail or special events. In order to keep these fluctuations to a minimum, the pedestrian counts were both conducted on Thursdays, with similar temperatures.

Pedestrian Count, January 31, 1991.

The pedestrian count prior to opening of the Churchill Square Pedway was conducted on Thursday January 31, 1991 (see Table 1). The temperature that day varied from -9C at 6:30 am to 0 C in the afternoon. The sidewalks were clear (except for the one north of 102 Avenue, where construction was taking place) but the roads were very slushy.

Although few conclusions can be drawn based on this single count, a previous count conducted in 1987 by the Transportation Department provides a basis for some comparisons.

Total count (7:00 am to 6:00 pm): PlannIng and Droo.prnent

1987

19911

Li bARY The City of Bilmonten

S 102 Avenue N 102 Avenue S 102A Avenue N 102A Avenue

1200 2000 2600 1800

6181 3043 3693 3165

Total

7600

16082

1 In

order to compare the 1991 data with the 1997 tallies, these 1991 figures reflect the 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM count and differ from the total count for that day (6:30 PM to 1:00 PM)

The 1991 numbers show a substantial increase over those of 1987, with the 1991 total showing an increase of 212%. This in spite of the fact that the 1991 survey was conducted during more severe weather conditions (+18 C in 1987, 0 C in 1991).

There are a number of explanations for this increase: - Since 1987 there have been additional developments in the eastern portion of the downtown which may have resulted in increased pedestrian traffic (i.e. Canada Place, Eaton Centre, City Centre).

- The 1987 count was based on a three hour sample; the final total numbers were extrapolated from this sample; this may influence the accuracy of the final figures for that day.

- The 1987 counting stations were located in different locations on Churchill Square. The 1987 counting stations were located just west of 99 Street. For the 1991 count it was decided that counting stations just east of 100 Street would be more appropriate in order to get an accurate picture of the impact of the new Pedway link. As a result of these different locations of the counting stations, higher pedestrian counts could be expected on the northside of 102A Avenue (bus stops) and on the southside of 102 Avenue (bus stops and pedestrian traffic coming and going to and from the Centennial Library). The location of the 1991 counting stations is shown on the front cover of this report.

The results of the January 31, 1991 count are displayed on Charts 1 to 3: Chart 1 displays the pedestrian traffic on the four individual sidewalks.

Chart 2, provides a comparison between the pedestrian volumes on the four monitored sidewalks. The sidewalk south of 102 Avenue is the busiest (due to library traffic and the bus stops), while the sidewalk north of 102A Avenue shows a distinctive late afternoon peak because of LRT and bus passengers. The sidewalk traffic south of 102A Avenue shows a definite increase during the lunch hour when workers from Chancery Hall, Century Place and other offices north-east of Churchill Square go for lunch.

Chart 3 shows the combined total pedestrian traffic on the four sidewalks.

Pedestrian Count, March 7, 1991.

The second pedestrian count took place on Thursday, March 7, 1991, approximately a month after the Churchill Square Pedway was opened. The temperatures ranged from -6C to +2C, and were similar to those on the first pedestrian count. From 7:00 am to approximately 3:00 pm there were light to heavy snowfalls; after 3:00 pm the accumulated snow melted, resulting in slushy conditions and the presence of large puddles along the pedestrian crossings.

In spite of these conditions, the total pedestrian count for March 7 was similar to the one of January 31 (see Table 2). The reduction of 520 pedestrians (or 3%) can largely be contributed to the following factors: - The pedestrian count was terminated at 11:00 pm, rather than 1:00 am due to the fact that the Churchill Square Pedway was closed at that time.

- Much of the remainder of the reduction appears to be due to a reduced number of people visiting the library due to the inclement weather.

Charts 4 to 10 provide a visual display of the observed pedestrian volumes: Chart 4 shows the pedestrian traffic on the individual sidewalks and in the pedway.

Chart 5 displays the pedestrian volumes of each sidewalk individually. As shown, between 11:30 am and 2:30 pm, the new pedway accommodates by far the most pedestrians, significantly reducing the lunchtime peak use of the four sidewalks. The sidewalk south of 102A Avenue, which in the first count showed heavy use during the lunch hour from office workers originating in the north-east of Churchill Square, has lost substantial traffic. The only sidewalk maintaining pedestrian traffic levels during the lunch hour is the one south of 102 Avenue; this is due in large part to library traffic.

Chart 6 shows the combined total number of pedestrians using the four sidewalks and the pedestrians using the pedway. As shown, the four sidewalks combined continue to be used by more pedestrians than the pedway, except during the crucial lunch hour, when pedestrian volumes in the pedway exceed sidewalk pedestrian volumes. With 63,750 people working downtown, lunch time is of vital importance to the downtown retail sector. Without the pedway, lunchtime pedestrian traffic would likely be reduced substantially during inclement weather conditions. The preliminary conclusion can be drawn that Edmonton Centre's connection to the Churchill Square Pedway provides them with a steady flow of lunchtime shoppers, regardless of the weather conditions.

Charts 7 to 10 show the distribution and volume of pedestrian traffic on the sidewalks before and after opening of the pedway.

The pedestrian count south of 102 Avenue dropped from 6698 to 5144 (-23.2%).

The pedestrian count north of 102 Avenue dropped from 3305 to 1346 (-59.3%).

The pedestrian count south of 102A Avenue dropped from 3861 to 1896 (-50.9%).

The pedestrian count north of 102A Avenue dropped from 3396 to 2213 (-34.8%).

The total number of pedestrians using the above ground sidewalks dropped from 17,460 to 10,559 (-39.3%) (see Table 3). The Churchill Square Pedway accommodated 6431 pedestrians.

The smallest reductions occurred south of 102 Avenue and north of 102A Avenue. The limited reduction on the southside is due largely to the fact that library traffic cannot conveniently use the pedway system to reach the library and therefore continues to utilize the sidewalk; a number of bus stops also contribute to the limited reduction on this sidewalk. The limited reduction north of 102A Avenue is due to a number of bus stops along this sidewalk and the 99 Street LRT Exit pedestrian traffic.

Condusions.

As far as use is concerned, the new Churchill Square Pedway can be regarded as an initial success. A month after its opening, it has attracted 37 % of the east-west Churchill Square pedestrian traffic. This number can be expected to grow when people become more familiar with the pedway. It is further expected to see increased use during the winter months during inclement weather.

Where the pedway appears to be the most successful and enjoys its greatest use, is from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm when the pedway usage level exceeds that of the four combined sidewalks (53% versus 47%). This high usage during the lunch hour is a positive sign for the retailers in the downtown, who can now count on a steady stream of lunchtime shoppers, even during inclement weather.

For the City, the new Pedway is an important link in the Pedway system. It is the first east-west link connecting downtown's commercial area to the cultural, administrative and convention area.

Implications for a future Library Pedway Connection.

The Centennial Library records the number of patrons by monitoring its turnstile counts on a month by month basis. Once a year for a week, hourly and daily counts are recorded to determine the visitor flow and volumes. The Centennial Library attracts more than 1.3 million visitors annually, resulting in excess of 2.6 million trips. On average 3300 people pass the turnstiles daily (6600 trips). Although a number of visitors access the library via the Library Parkade, the majority of visitors enter via the 102 Avenue entrance. The large number of people entering the library in this manner, explains the continued high pedestrian count south of 102 Avenue.

More counts will be needed to determine the exact number of library bound sidewalk users and to determine whether those numbers could justify a library pedway connection. After an initial lunchtime sample count, it is estimated that between 2500 and 3000 people (5000-6000 trips) access the library via 102 Avenue on a daily basis.

According to Centennial Library records, on an average Thursday in March, they can expect about 3800 visitors a day (Turnstile count, Centennial Library, March, 1990), which accounts for 7600 trips.

Table

Churchill Square Pedestrian Count, January 31,

(Before Pedway Opening)

Time

S 102 Ave

N 102 Ave

Subtotal

S 102A Ave

N 102A Ave

Subtotal

Total

62.72

20

11

31

8

700 • 710

37 71

48 65

33 44

67

47

140

39 114 205 187

70 199

57 71

85 136 124

31 81 161

71

142

70

66 99 74 98 119 179 309 241

184 263 283 300 412 603 910 886

57 94 143 112 178 258

175 154 207 263

317

118 164 209 202 293 424 601 645 500 379

105 97 113

205 177 181 157 121 170 315 149 75

705 556 508_ 583 374

343

252 185 171 176

505 722 558 362

177 126 205 85

57 40 45 26

223 118 131 80

13 35 11 42 9 4

76 98 81

35 2 35 21 21

72 -803 82-82 830.900 900.930 910 .102 1000 • 10:30 102.112 11:00 - 1120 1110.1200 1200 .1210 1230.100 100•130 10.20 2:00.2:30 230300 3:00 -310 330•400 42 .42 410 • 510 5:00.5:30 5:30 • 600 6:00 • 620 610-72 700 • 710 730.800

327 426 253 335 407 409 287 166 78 86 54 63

467 435

120 II 140 184 235

213 318 442 702

179 218

614 561

184 140 128 125 184 154 192 124

436 325

60 25 32 16 22 12

299 301 361 20 397 209 95 47 67 37 43 17

341 311 338 470 546 513 730 1045 1612 1500 1266 992 833 882 675 866 1002 955 571 318 165 198 117 119 115 103 105 44 42

19 18

5 15 13 6 10 4

1

5 1 1 1

6 9

3 1

10 10 9 2

19 23 16 11 10

6 6

7 7

34 21 20 16 11

,.:

3305

10203

3861

3396

7257

17460

8:00 • 82 830.900 90.930 90.100 10:00.1030 10:30 • 11:00 1100.112 1110.122 122.1210

63 70 29 16 15 9 2 5

1210 .100 Total

6

9 8 5

Source: Planning & Development Department

71 25

7 21 13 13 12

22 34

Chart 1: Churchill Square Pedestrian Count, January 31,'91 (Before Pedway Opening)

350 700 300 600 250 500 200 100

N 102 Ave • S 102 Ave 150

300 100 ?00 50 100 0 7:00 7:00

9:00

11:00

1:00

3:00

5:00

7:00

9:00

11:00

9:00

11:00

1:00

3:00

5:00

7:00

9:00

11:00

1:00

1:00

250

500 450

200

400 350

150

300 •

250

S 102A Ave

N 102A Aw, 100

200 150 100

50

50 0 700

9:00

11:00

1:00

3:00

5:00

7:00

Source: Planning & Development Department

9:00

11:00

1:00

7:00

9:00

11:00

1:00

3:00

5:00

7:00

9:00

11:00

1:00

Chart 2: Comparison of Pedestrian Traffic on Sidewalks, January 31,'91 (Before Pedway Opening)

700

600

500

400

300

200

100 S 102 Ave S 102A Ave

CA

co N-1‘=4 cr,

=p 77-

N 102 Ave

,=

• • CS,1 p•;•i

Source: Planning & Development Department

FRER ERERE

2

N 102A Ave

Chart 3; Total Pedestrian Traffic, January 31,'91 (Before Pedway Opening)

1800

1600

1400

1200

1000

800

600

400

i 1 1 i i

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

1111111111111W

IIIIIMIIIII 11111111111111

1

200

0

SR PR ER gR ER PR SR 0: ed Jd d4 dr; 6

ER A9 ER PR ER 2 e4 d4

gR ER PR SR 2 ER PR ER PR SR gR ER PR ER

.L d4 CA 41

Source: Planning & Development Department

-tr Al di

40 45

ER AR ER PR ER 2

6S 4d 6-1 6., ; 25 .ct:;

z= CA

Table 2 Churchill Square Pedestrian Count, March 7;91 (After Pedway Opening)

S 102 Ave

N 102 Ave

Subtotal

S 102A Ave

N 102A Ave

Subtotal

Pedway

Total

62 • 700

16

10

26

10

19

29

20

75_,

72.713

27

n

so

28

43

71

47

168

710.82

32

42

74

30

ea

114

125

313

80.830

70

42

112

62

104

166

177

455

810 • 910

93

29

122

44

53

97

100

319

91042

144

26

170

35

90

125

108

403

90•1000

179

40

219

es

78

147

142

508

10001030

117

48

165

64

107

171

156

492

10:30 - 112

199

62

261

66

74

140

161

562

112 -1110

204

51

255

93

102

195

198

648

1110 • 1210

214

70

284

110

103

213

453

950

1200 -1210

351

57

408

174

129

303

803

1514

122 .1:00

330

87

417

143

109

252

862

1531

1:00 -U0

260

53

313

100

106

206

546

1065

110 • 2:00

216

41

257

82

74

156

342

755

200 -2:30

250

ea

314

76

85

161

247

722

22 • 32

261

62

323

es

78

147

188

658

3:00 • 310

267

75

342

87

116

203

198

743

330.400

42

90

372

83

103

186

207

765

4:00.4:30

329

95

424

112

156

268

242

934

4:30 • 52

398

80

478

145

122

267

249

994

5:00.530

248

48

296

56

75

131

190

617

510 • 6:00

172

37

209

33

56

89

108

406

610.610

105

25

130

26

23

49

61

240

630•700

120

13

133

19

29

as

95

276

7:00.710

67

13

80

17

15

32

64

176

72.8:00

57

16

73

11

16

27

80

180

8:0083O

46

s

55

8

14

22

48

125

810.9110

38

6

44

21

7

28

39

111

903.930

20

13

33

12

19

31

59

123

9:30.10:00

5

6

11

4

8

12

12

35

10:00.10:30

21

s

so

1

10

11

12

53

1030 .112

6

4

10

6

6

12

2

24

Total

5144

1346

6490

1896

2213

4109

6341

16940

Time

Source: Planning & Development Department

Chart 4: Churchill Square Pedestrian Counts, March 7,'91 (After Pedway Opening)

I Pedway

• S 102 Ave

III S 102A Ave

Source: Planning & Development Department

•s 102 Ave

•N 102A Ave

Chart 5: Comparison of Pedestrian Traffic on Sidewalks and in Pedway, March 7, '91

900

800

700

600

500

400

300

200 Pedway 100 S 102 Ave S 102A Ave N 102A Ave

F1 ER r-

ER cq

P3

N 102 Ave

c'

141, +3 iU

th

CD

ca uo

,.:,:

410•

,

,cs

1='

64

'45 r-

Source: Planning & Development Department

Chart 6: Comparison of Pedway and Sidwalk Pedestrian Traffic Counts, March 7,'91

1800

1600

1400

1000

800

600

400

200

Pedway

0

Sidewalk Total

I -----7 7:00 8:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 1:00 2:00 3:00

---r--,

I

4:00

Source: Planning & Development Department

5:00

6:00 7:00 8:00

9:00

10:00

11:00

Chart 7: Comparison of Pedestrian Traffic South of 102 Avenue (Before and After Pedway Opening)

700

600

500

400---

.300

200

100

E

11111, 3:00

Source: Planning & Development Department

S 102 Ave (After)

1 r--1-5:00

7:00

9:00

S 102 Ave (Before)

11:00

1:00

Chart 8: Comparison of Pedestrian Traffic North of 102 Avenue (Before and After Pedway Opening)

350-i —______________

300---_,

250

200

150

100

50

N 102 Ave (Before)

o 7:00

9:00

11:00

1:00

3:00

Source: Planning & Development Department

1

5:00

1

1 1 7:00

I 1

N 102 Ave (After)

—r---r9:00

11:00

1:00

Chart 9: Comparison of Pedestrian Traffic South of 102A Avenue (Before and After Pedway Opening)

500 450 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 7:00

S 102A Ave (Before) 9:00

11:00

1:00

S 102A Ave (After) 3:00

Source: Planning & Development Department

5:00

7:00

9:00

11:00

1:00

Chart 10: Comparison of Pedestrian Traffic North of 102A Avenue (Before and After Pedway Opening)

250

200

150

106

50

0

,

7:00

N 102A Ave (Before) Iii

9:00

1

1 r--r 11

I

11:00

1:00

3:00

Source: Planning & Development Department

I

II 5:00

N 102A Ave (After)

r—T 7:00

9:00

11:00

1:00

Table 3

Churchill Square Pedestrian Counts (Before and After Pedway Opening)

Time

S 102 Ave

S 102 Ave

N 102 Ave

N 102 Ave

S 102A Ave

S 102A Ave

N 102A Ave

N 102A Ave

(Before)

(After)

(Before)

(After)

(Before)

(After)

(Before)

(After)

6:30 - 7:00

20

16

11

10

8

10

31

19

20

7:00 - 7:30

37

27

as

23

33

28

61

43

47

7:30-8:00

71

32

65

42

44

30

161

84

125

8:00 - 8:30

57

70

67

42

47

62

140

104

177

8:30 - 9:00

71

93

71

29

70

44

105

53

100

9:00 - 9:30

118

144

66

26

57

35

97

90

108

94

69

113

78

142

Pedway

9:30 - 10:00

164

179

99

40

10:00 - 10:30

209

117

74

48

143

64

120

107

156

10:30 - 11:00

202

199

98

62

112

66

101

74

161

11:00 - 11:30

293

204

119

51

178

93

140

102

198

11:30 - 12:00

424

214

179

70

258

110

184

103

453

12:00 - 12:30

601

351

309

57

467

174

235

129

803

12:30 - 1:00

645

330

241

87

435

143

179

109

862

1:00 - 1:30

500

260

205

53

343

100

218

106

546 342

216

177

41

252

82

184

74

327

250

181

64

185

76

140

85

247

2:30 - 3:00

426

261

157

62

171

69

128

78

188

3:00 - 3:30

253

267

121

75

176

87

125

116

198

3:30 - 4:00

335

282

170

so

177

83

184

103

207

4:00 - 4:30

407

329

315

95

126

112

154

156

242

4:30 - 5:00

409

398

149

80

205

145

192

122

249

5:00 - 5:30

287

248

75

48

85

56

124

75

190

5:30 - 6:00

166

172

57

37

35

33

60

56

108

6:00 - 6:30

78

105

ao

25

22

26

25

23

61

6:30 - 7:00

86

120

as

13

35

19

32

29

95

7:00 - 7:30

54

67

26

13

21

17

16

15

sa

7:30 - 8:00

63

57

13

16

21

11

22

16

80

8:00 - 8:30

63

46

35

9

5

8

12

14

48

8:30 - 9:00

70

38

11

6

15

21

7

7

39

9:00 - 9:30

29

20

42

13

13

12

21

19

59

9:30 - 10:00

16

5

9

6

6

4

13

8

12

10:00 - 10:30

15

21

4

9

10

1

13

10

12

4

6

12

6

2

2213

6341

1:30 - 2:00 2:00 - 2:30

379

10:30 - 11:00

9

6

11:00-11:30

2

8

5

6

11:30-12:00

5

5

1

9

12:00-12:30

6

3

1

6

12:30-1:00

1

1

1

6

Total

6698

5144

9

3305

Source: Planning & Development Department

4

1346

3661

1896

3396