Developing an index to evaluate the quality of pedestrian environment: Case study application in an Indian metro

Abstract

Research shows that, lack of ideal pedestrian environment along with increase in number of vehicles is responsible for declination in walking. This paper formulates an index with five main domains which have also been used to outline the phrase “Pedestrian environment”. The domains and subsequent indicators were identified through meta-analysis of literature studies as well as reconnaissance surveys in the chosen city of Bengaluru. The major aim of this research is to prioritize and emphasize the shaping parameters, contributing to pedestrian environment and steering future investments in that direction to eventually benefit the pedestrians and to encourage pedestrian activity. The index will be utilized in assessing the pedestrian environmental scenario at a street level for different land uses. As part of a pilot study, observation surveys in streets with high pedestrian activity in 3 Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Corporation wards with different land uses, were carried out. Subsequently the index scores for each of the streets were calculated. By availing quantitative results, we were able to conduct intensive comparative studies between roads of similar hierarchies and different land uses. Through the pilot study result, we could identify those streets which require prompt attention and the sequence in which the investments can be directed. This index will aid the governing bodies in progressive decision making, as well as help prioritize and schedule pedestrian-oriented investments. The output of the entire research entails in the documentation of the study into a useful model to planners.