a technical guide for conducting pedestrian safety assessments

24 A TECHNICAL GUIDE FOR CONDUCTING PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ASSESSMENTS FOR CALIFORNIA CITIES
B. Nighttime Audit
A Nighttime Audit is conducted when pedestrian collision data suggests that significant collisions in a Focus Area are
occurring after dark or during sunrise/sunset times. The above-mentioned Walking Audit Checklist (Tables 5 and 6) can
be followed, with particular emphasis on nighttime issues such as lighting or nighttime pedestrian generators (i.e.,
movie theaters or bars). The Audit can be conducted by observing conditions at the Focus Area from a parked vehicle.
The Audit may include observations of any impaired or distracted pedestrians and their behavior and apparel (visible at
night), as well as impaired or distracted motorists.
Materials Required: Walking Audit Checklist, Walking Audit Route Map (if multiple sites will be reviewed), aerial
photograph for each Focus Area, clipboards, pens, post its, camera, measuring tape or wheel, safety vests, safety caps,
flashlights. Safety vests must be retroreflective, and are not an optional item.
Potential Participants: The Nighttime Audit is usually conducted in addition to a daytime Walking Audit. As such, the
two evaluators or the evaluators plus a city staff member may suffice.
C. Economic Vitality Walking Audit
As a component of the standard Walking Audit, the group can identify opportunities for improving walkability and
economic vitality of the area as appropriate. This will include the identification of:
➜ Buildings which could be enhanced through façade improvement programs
➜ Redevelopment sites for mixed use development with ground floor retail
➜ Opportunities for streetscapes and street furniture
➜ Opportunities for sidewalk cafes
➜ Opportunities for relocating parking behind buildings
➜ Opportunities for increasing “eyes on the street”
➜ Parking management strategies to reduce cruising for parking and establish a “park once” environment
➜ Opportunities for connecting commercial areas to open space (waterfront, parks, etc.)
➜ Opportunities for traffic calming
➜ Opportunities for wayfinding enhancements and establishing a “sense of place”
➜ Opportunities for transit-oriented development
➜ Opportunities for bringing “feet to the pavement” in the evenings, on weekends, mid-day, etc. (land use mix of
theatres, restaurants, gyms, residential, offices, etc.)