Walkability Survey Guide

Walkability Survey Index

A. Walking path modal conflict This parameter determines the conflict pedestrians face when either walking along the walkway/ roadway or crossing the road. (While conflict with other NMT modes at higher speeds may be injurious, it has not been considered here)

1

Condition

Score

Significant conflict with heavy and fast vehicles which prevent walking.

0

Significant conflict with vehicles with high risk of accident, but walking possible.

1

Walking is possible, but with great inconvenience

2

Walking is possible, with some inconvenience

3

Walkability Survey Index Conflict with other slow moving NMT modes

4

No conflict with other modes

5

B. Availability of walking paths As the name suggests, the parameter checks whether walking paths are available or not; and if present their condition, cleanliness, maintenance etc.

Condition Score Walking paths essential but absent with unpleasant graffiti and or bad odour.

2

0

Walkability Survey Index

3

Walking paths in poor condition and not continuous, with graffiti on side walls and or bad odour.

1

Walking paths present, but not of sufficient width (congested). Or present but with slippery material especially under wet conditions or with graffiti / mild bad odour or conflicting with bus stands /commuters etc.

2

Walking paths present but requires cleaning and maintenance, with dislodged tiles

3

Clean well maintained walking paths present with non slippery material, with no bad odour and clean side walls or buildings

4

Walkability Survey Index Separate walking paths not required as pedestrians can walk on road safely.

5

C. Availability of crossing points (grade separated/at grade) The availability and number of crossing points to get to the other side safely Condition

4

Score

Crossing points spaced greater than 500m with vehicular speeds greater than 50 kmph

0

Crossing points , like Zebra crossings spaced around 300m with vehicular speeds greater than 40 kmph

1

Walkability Survey Index

5

Crossing points spaced around 200m with average speed of 40 kmph

2

Crossing points spaced around 100m with average speed of 30 kmph.

3

Crossing points spaced less than 100m with average speed less than 30kmph

4

There is no need for a controlled crossing, as pedestrians can cross anywhere as vehicular movements are conducive.

5

Walkability Survey Index D. Quality of crossing points Continuing with parameter C, this parameter determines the quality of space, time and grade in a crossing Condition Score

6

Crossing point is not manned, or signalized.

No road marking/sign board to warn motorists & vehicle speed greater than 50kmph, waiting time greater than 1 minute and the place is poorly lit

0

Crossing point is grade separated without escalator/elevator

1

Space available for waiting at signal is not sufficient or Waiting time is greater than 45 seconds and median/refuge island width is insufficient Time for crossing the road is less than 10 s for 2 lane and 20 s for 4 lane roads.

2

Space for waiting is just sufficient and at times congested.

Time available for crossing the road is, i) 10 to 15 s for 2 lane road ii) 20 to 30 s for 4 lane road

3

Walkability Survey Index Safe grade separated crossing with escalator, with adequate lighting. Or at- grade crossing with pedestrian pelican signal facility providing more than 15s for 2 lanes and 30 s for 4 lane road.

4

Pedestrians can safely cross the road anywhere.

5

E. Amenities This parameter enhances the quality of the walk and greatly helps in promoting walking and tourism too. Various amenities such as lighting, shade, information signs etc are measured.

Condition Score No amenities available

7

0

Walkability Survey Index

8

Trees spaced far apart, no adequate shade for pedestrians, benches not in good condition

1

Signboards, benches, shade available but obstruct pedestrian movement

2

Few sign boards, shade, lights available; but insufficient.

3

Signs, lights and shade available but can be improved with better placement and alignment

4

Walkability Survey Index Benches available every 100m with tree cover, efficient lighting and way finders.

5

F. Disability infrastructure This parameter measures the infrastructure in place to measure the friendliness or the lack of it towards people with special needs, including ramps, handrails, tactile paving, auditory pelican signals etc Condition Score

9

No amenities available, giving no access to for pedestrians with special needs

0

Disability infrastructure insufficient and poorly placed and in poor condition

1

Walkability Survey Index

10

Disability infrastructure present but not in good condition or very steep

2

Disability infrastructure in good condition but not clean

3

Disability infrastructure in good, clean condition but can be better placed and maintained.

4

Disability infrastructure well placed in excellent condition. For ex.

Auditory pelican crossing/ elevator situated at height accessible to a wheelchair.

5

Walkability Survey Index G. Safety from crime This parameter should be assessed preferably by a woman to understand their vulnerability on the streets. Elements such as setback, lighting, building frontage, speed of vehicles, vendors and others can make a street safe or unsafe.

Condition

Score

Pedestrians are extremely vulnerable to crime. Ex. Uninhabited street, no lighting – lack of activity, with very high vehicle speeds.

Pedestrians are vulnerable to crime -high setback of buildings, tinted windows of commercial spaces, high compound walls or inactive edges.

Pedestrians do not psychologically feel safe, after dark- few pedestrians on the street with not much activity and poor lighting, fewer entrance/exit to buildings Pedestrians feel marginally safewith slow traffic speed, or buildings facing away from the street with few entrance/exit, but not much active edges.

Pedestrians feel safe with presence of few vendors, other pedestrians, houses with compound walls of 1m or less, active edges, greater entrances, exists.

Pedestrians feel very safe with more eyes on the street, open building frontage, vendor zones etc- active street with reduced vehicle speeds.

0

1

2

3

4

5

A. Motorists’ behaviour Motorists’ behaviour towards pedestrians on the road shows how cultured a city is.

Condition Score

11

Walkability Survey Index

12

Motorists highly disrespect pedestrians and encroach pedestrian space

0

Motorist do not slow down for pedestrians at all

1

Motorists rarely yield to pedestrians

2

Motorists yield (only if pedestrians are in large numbers and in a group)

3

Walkability Survey Index Motorists often yield to pedestrians

4

Motorists respect pedestrians and yield always, or pedestrian priority areas.

5

B.Obstructions This measures the encroachments - parked vehicles and utilities that usually take up precious pedestrian space.

Condition Score Permanent obstructions block the walkway ex. Culverts, transformers, junction boxes, trees, light poles, sign boards, property entry exists, fences etc.

13

0

Walkability Survey Index

14

Walking width less than 1m. Ex. Hawkers or utilities occupy most of the space leaving very little space to walk.

1

Parked vehicles block the walkway (temporary)

2

Effective walkway width is about 1m

3

Effective walkway width is more than 1.5m but still not sufficient due to obstructions.

4

Walkability Survey Index There are no obstructions

15

5