Application of New Pedestrian Level of Service Measures - sacog

Application of New Pedestrian Level of Service Measures
SACOG
9. Potential Variables for Regional
Collection
In order to incorporate measures of pedestrian LOS into future SACOG modeling efforts, it
will be necessary to collect, at the regional level, data inputs that affect pedestrian LOS.
Because of the magnitude of such an undertaking, not all variables that affect pedestrian
LOS can be collected. To remedy this, one of the main goals of this study was to identify the
most important variables that can be collected regionally. These variables are listed and
described below. While SACOG endeavors to collect and monitor as many of these variables
as possible, the ability to do so largely depends on securing grant funding and leveraging
local partnerships. Hence, these measures represent potential variables for regional
collection.
Although some measures, such as number of conflicts with other modes, were found to be
significant determinants of pedestrian LOS, not all measures are appropriate for regional
collection. For example, the cost of identifying all of the points of conflict between
pedestrians and automobiles makes that variable all but impossible to collect at the regional
level. Therefore, the measures we have identified below are not only significant variables,
but also ones that SACOG feels would be feasible to collect regionally.
1. Presence and condition of sidewalks
The presence and condition of sidewalks was heavily weighted in both the PPM and
MMLOS models. Key considerations with this variable include: is there a sidewalk? Is the
sidewalk continuous? How wide is the sidewalk? Are there obstructions on the sidewalk
like utility poles or traffic light poles? Does the sidewalk have noticeable cracking or an
uneven surface? Does the sidewalk include curb cuts?
2. Traffic volumes
Pedestrians are more comfortable walking on streets with low traffic volumes. The
greater the number of vehicles a pedestrian encounters when crossing the street, the
greater the potential for conflict between pedestrians and vehicles. SACOG already
maintains traffic volume data for some of the region’s roadways, and many local
jurisdictions maintain this data for their own communities. Of all the significant variables
identified, traffic volume is the only one that changes throughout the day. Although
Average Daily Traffic (ADT) was used in the PPM and MMLOS models, collecting peak
hour and ADT volumes would allow for measurement of pedestrian LOS during the
highest volume times of the day (morning and evening rush hour) and during midday.
3. Buffers between vehicular traffic and pedestrian traffic
Although the PPM model and the MMLOS model defined buffers differently, it is clear
that having separation between pedestrian and vehicular traffic improved the
pedestrian LOS. Identifying where on‐street parking exists appears to be a promising
way to measure this variable, as both models considered occupied on‐street parking a
Issue Date: June 2011
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