Integrated Systems Methodology for Pedestrian Traffic Flow Analysis

Abstract

A typical urban pedestrian transportation system involves three basic elements: sidewalks or walkways; midblock or intersection corner, holding, or queuing areas; and pedestrian crossings of roads, railway lines, or other physical features of the transportation network. The pedestrians on sidewalks or walkways have operating characteristics analogous to motorized vehicles on roadways. The level of service and capacity analyses of sidewalks have been documented in the literature. In a similar manner, the concept of capacity and level of service have been individually applied to the street corner area and the crosswalk. Each critical pedestrian element has been considered individually, but not as a balanced system, especially at the most critical link—the signalized urban intersection. A methodology and guidelines are presented to analyze existing pedestrian elements at a signalized intersection, that is, the sidewalk, intersection corner, and crosswalk, with a systems approach that identifies key interrelationships of the individual elements. This systems approach can guide the design of a balanced at-grade pedestrian transportation system. It can be used to evaluate existing signalized at-grade intersection pedestrian elements, and to develop decision support tools to evaluate the potential need for a grade-separated pedestrian facility.