Chapter 3: PEDESTRIAN FACILITY

Chapter 3. : PEDESTRIAN FACILITY

3.1 WHAT IS A PEDESTRIAN FACILITY

Pedestrian facilities refer to improvements to the flow of public pedestrians, including sidewalks, crosswalks, and other improvements, such as lighting equipment and benches, that can make them safe or convenient for walking. Pedestrian facilities must be planned holistically to ensure the continuous flow of people. Therefore, it should be useful to consider the needs of the pedestrians of the entire area as a whole and to develop an overall strategic plan. Pedestrian facilities are a key element in creating a pedestrian-friendly environment. Some solutions to improve the quality of the pedestrian network should consider the following groups: children, families with young children, the elders, the disabled, and people with heavy objects.

Pedestrian facilities can consist of various components such as: ·

• Footpath/ Sidewalk;

• A pedestrian crossing (crosswalk);

• Street corners;

• Median refuge;

• Pedestrian-only-streets;

• Street furniture;

• Shading devices.

Figure 20. Complete street design (source: www.itdp.in/complete streets policy framework) (Date: April 14,2021)

3.2 PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES DESIGN STANDARDS

Design standards for pedestrian facilities are used by urban planners, architects, and civil engineers to design street design in cities. From design standards, one can get a reference of a footpath, street corners, crossings, parking design, cycle track, street vendors, social infrastructure, and many more. There are many street design standards are available in India as well as in other countries. There are some examples of standards, which are mostly used by designers of India.

• ITDP: Institute for Transportation and Development Policy • UTTIPEC: Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure Planning &

Engineering Centre • IRC: Indian Road Congress • NACTO: National Association of City Transportation Officials

In this report, ITDP standards are used as it gives region wise detailed information with a sustainable approach. In these standards, they consider the climate of different cities and give proper dimensions for various street types. The standards are taken from these two books:

• Complete Streets Design Workbook • Complete Streets Policy Workbook

Figure 11.. Complete Streets Design Workbook (source: www.itdp.in) (Date: April 14,2021) Figure 12. Complete Streets Policy Workbook. (source: www.itdp.in) (Date: April 14,2021)

3.3 FOOTPATH

3.3.1 WHAT GOOD FOOTPATHS ACHIEVE

Footpaths that are well-maintained encourage pedestrian movement that is both safe and comfortable. All users, including women, children, the elderly, and the differently-abled, can utilise them. People may sit, meet, chat, and dine on good pathways, which are the city's principal public area.

3.3.2 CHALLENGES

The walkway is generally specified as the area left over after building the road and parking. Utilities become a stumbling block to walking. A sidewalk may be difficult to use even if it is wide enough if it is not continuous or has excessive curb heights and stairs.

Figure13. Patulas Road, Chennai (source:www.itdp.in) (Date: April 14,2021)

3.3.3 DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS

Pedestrian zone: Continuous walking space for pedestrians, clear of any obstructions.

Frontage/dead zone: Provides a buffer between the pedestrian zone and the property edge.

Multi-utility zone (MUZ): Space for vending, street furniture, landscape, bus stops, and property access ramps; location and size of MUZ depends on the width of the footpath.

Figure 14. Different zones of footpath (source: www.itdp.in) (Date: April 14,2021)

Figure 15. Besant Nagar second Avenue, Chennai (source: www.itdp.in) (Date: April 14,2021)

3.3.4 WIDTH

(source: www.itdp.in) (Date: April 14,2021)

3.3.5 HEIGHT 3.3.6 GRADIENT

(source: www.itdp.in) (Date: April 14,2021)

3.3.7 CONTINUITY

(source: www.itdp.in) (Date: April 14,2021)

Figure 16. Footpath continuing acroos a side street in Chennai (source: www.itdp.in) (Date: April 14,2021)

3.3.8 OBSTRUCTIONS

(source: www.itdp.in) (Date: April 14,2021)

Figure 17. Church Street, Bangalore (source: www.itdp.in) (Date: April 14,2021)

3.4 STREET FURNITURE

3.4.1 WHAT GOOD STREET FURNITURE ACHIEVES

People may relax, rest, and connect in a secure and comfortable environment with good street furniture. It contains infrastructure for services such as dustbins, benches, street lighting, signs, and bollards.

3.4.2 CHALLENGES

Poorly placed street furniture frequently becomes a stumbling block for pedestrians. The upkeep of street furniture is frequently deficient. Broken seats, for example, are not fixed immediately, and overflowing rubbish bins are not collected regularly. A maintenance plan including local partners must accompany the installation of street furniture.

Figure 18. JM Road,Pune (source: www.itdp.in) (Date: April 16,2021)

3.4.3 DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS

All street furniture should be placed in such a way that it is easy to use, universally accessible, does not hinder traffic, and allows for easy street maintenance. The materials used to construct the street furniture should be long-lasting, simple and inexpensive to maintain, safe, visually attractive, readily available for repairs and/or replacement, and have a low resale value.

Figure 19. Street furniture (source: www.itdp.in) (Date: April 16,2021)

Figure 20. DP Road, Pune (source: www.itdp.in) (Date: April 16,2021)

3.4.4 SEATING

(source: www.itdp.in) (Date: April 16,2021)

Figure 21. Shaded seating under tree DP Road, Pune (source: www.itdp.in) (Date: April 16,2021)

3.4.5 DUSTBINS

(Source: www.itdp.in) (Date: April 16,2021)

3.4.6 GARBAGE CONTAINERS

(source: www.itdp.in) (Date: April 16,2021)

Figure 22. Harrington Road, Chennai (source: www.itdp.in) (Date: April 16,2021)

3.4.7 SIGNAGE

(source: www.itdp.in) (Date: April 16,2021)

Figure 23. Harrington Road, Chennai (source: www.itdp.in) (Date: April 16,2021)

3.5 LANDSCAPING

(source: www.itdp.in) (Date: April 16,2021)

3.5.1 SAFETY AND COMFORT

(source: www.itdp.in) (Date: April 16,2021)

3.6 OTHER STREET ELEMENTS

There are many other street design elements designers have to consider while design pedestrian-friendly streets. These are as important as the above elements.

Figure 24. Utilities design

Figure 26. Street vending

Figure 28. On street parking Figure 25. Bus stop design

Figure 27. Cycle track

Figure 29. Medians

Figure 30. Traffic calming Figure 31. Pedestrian crossing

Figure 24-31 . (Source: www.itdp.in/design workbook) (Date: April 16,2021)

3.7 SUSTAINABLE APPROACH TO STREET

Sustainable streetscape is one of the most significant aspects that contribute to city success and tourism attractions, and it plays an important part in establishing the visual image of sustainable cities. The greatest approach to make streets more sustainable is to enhance the streetscape while keeping environmental factors in mind.

3.7.1 DEFINITION OF SUSTAINABLE STREETSCAPE

The natural and built fabric of the street is referred to as streetscape, and it is described as the design quality of the street and its aesthetic effect, particularly how the paved area is planned out and maintained. Buildings, the roadway surface, and the fixtures and fittings that make it easier to use, such as bus shelters and signage, are all included. The unity of streetscape components can aid in the visual experience's success. Using technology that controls storm-water runoff and decreases carbon footprint, a sustainable streetscape guarantees that places are long-lasting and operate as a part of the larger ecosystem. It also aided in the creation of better environments for current and future people.As a result, one of the decisive aspects of the city's success is the sustainable design of the streetscape.

3.7.2 OBJECTIVES OF SUSTAINABLE STREETSCAPE

People should be able to visit and assemble in a pleasant atmosphere created by the streetscape. A good streetscape design aims to promote social and economic connections. As a result, a sustainable streetscape aspires to: - Enhance air quality, decrease heat island effects, improve water quality, and reduce light pollution to improve environmental quality. - Promote social well-being by making streets safe for public strolling and meeting areas where people may connect regularly, as well as encouraging outdoor activities. - Maintain economic viability by lowering material resource use. - Protect regional natural resources by reducing energy consumption, water consumption, and storm-water runoff by increasing permeable surface area and landscaping. - Maintain urban fabric through improving a city's visual appearance. - Assist in the improvement of public health by enabling and encouraging community walking and other leisure activities.

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3.7.3 ELEMENTS OF SUSTAINABLE STREETSCAPE

• Sidewalks • Street corners • Trees • Planters • Benches • Lighting • Trash receptacles • Signage • Bus shelter • Medians

3.8 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE STREET

To make a sustainable street, the following principle and elements of the sustainable streetscape are applied.

3.8.1 SIDEWALKS

Paving materials should be selected for sustainable manufacturing and permeability.

- All stone, metal, and concrete items that have been damaged should be replaced as soon as possible. Graffiti should be removed in its entirety. Using long-lasting materials will help you save money on upkeep. - Creating a barrier between the walkways and the street channels. - Material and texture should add to the area's individuality while also improving its look. - To minimise the Urban Heat Island Effect, use Cool Pavements wherever practical. - To decrease life-cycle environmental consequences, choose locally produced paving materials made with sustainable techniques.

3.8.2 STREET CORNERS

- Each street crossing should have a barrier-free ramp. - Street corners should provide amenities such as landscaping, trash receptacles, seating, and lighting.

3.8.3 TREES

- Street trees should be large enough to offer shade for pedestrians as well as parked vehicles. - Street trees should be resistant to pollution, heat, glare, and other urban environments. - Clear boundaries between the pedestrian and automobile sectors. - Align tree placement with street lights, subsurface utilities, and other components of the streetscape.

3.8.4 PLANTER

- All other streetscape features, such as street lights, subsurface utilities, and benches, should be considered while placing planters. Planting too near to buildings and walkways should be avoided.

3.8.5 BENCHES

- Benches should provide sitting that is both pleasant and low-maintenance. It should be made of long-lasting, non-abrasive materials that are resistant to cracking. In the building or maintenance of streetscape benches, nails or wire should be avoided. - Make seats more useful by placing them near lighting and plants.

3.8.6 LIGHTING

- To achieve sustainability, solar illumination should be employed. - The effects of light pollution, energy efficiency, and any potential negative effects should all be considered when placing and designing light fixtures. - The notion of "black sky" should be explored since it reduces unnecessary light and directs it to places and surfaces that need to be lighted. - All power outages should be fixed. Metal elements should be reviewed yearly.

3.8.7 TRASH RECEPTACLES

- To achieve sustainability, post-consumer, post-industrial recycled scrap steel, or sustainable material should be used in steel bar manufacture. - Receptacles should be secured to the ground and placed near outlets and lighting. - Containers should be maintained and emptied regularly.

3.8.8 SIGNAGE

- Signage should be made of sustainable material. It should not be located in the walkway zone.

3.8.9 BUS SHELTER

- Material sustainability: recyclable materials should be used. - Each bus shelter should have a green roof or a solar roof, according to the research. - Standard signage should be placed at all bus stops. Signs should be well-designed and maintained, and they should have a bench, illumination, and trash can.

3.8.10 MEDIANS

- To achieve sustainability, irrigation should be using greywater. - Consider using pavers in the median surface with sustainable materials or recycled materials. - Medians should use materials that do not require irrigation.