Building an evidence base through good data and using an appropriate tool for the scale and complexity of what is being considered are important aspects of best practice planning for walking.
Three scales of delivery are helpful to consider in terms of planning for walking. These are:
The following table outlines the range of datasets and tools that could be employed across different spatial scales. The table is inspired by the Planning for Walking Toolkit which provides further guidance on planning and design tools for walking.
Planning for Walking Toolkit (Transport for London, 2020)(external link)
Table: Datasets and tools that can inform planning for walking at different scales
Information that may be useful to collect or analyse |
Suggested datasets and tools that may assist |
Town/city-scale analysis |
|
Identify walking potential of an area (ie trips that could feasibly be walked that are being made by other modes) |
Example: Transport for London, 2016, Analysis of Walking Potential(external link) |
Identify where some pedestrian groups are under-represented due to a lack of walking access |
|
Effect of traffic volumes and speeds on walking prevalence in an area |
|
Areas where public transport uptake could be improved |
|
Understand the function of corridors in relation to both movement and place |
|
Pedestrian safety and security statistics |
|
Level of service of the walking network |
Still under development |
Neighbourhood and local scale analysis |
|
Understand walking catchments |
|
Understand neighbourhood character, land uses, destinations and attractors, walkable routes and connections, severance and barriers |
|
Understand existing and forecast future pedestrian demand |
|
Understand how pedestrians are using a space / place |
|
Identify locations with poor walking connectivity and legibility |
|
Pedestrian safety / security information |
|
Street scale analysis |
|
Audit of the quality of the street for people walking |
|
Understand where pedestrians are using the street or an area |
|
Pedestrian crowding / comfort levels |
No NZ guidance currently |
Notes:
The One Network Framework (ONF), an evolution of the One Network Road Classification (ONRC) is a core element of the land transport management system used to provide a consistent classification system for a wide range of planning processes. The ONF is based on Street categories within Movement and Place matrices. Further information on the ONF is available.
As well as street categories, mode classifications have been developed. This allows each modal network to be considered on its own, as well as part of the overall movement function of the corridor. ONF will consider both the current and future modal networks. Refer to the Mode classification section of the One Network Framework classification guidance for information on the current walking mode classifications. In due course the ‘future network planning process’ will support the classification of the future modal layers, including that of walking. Details of the future network planning process can be found on the ONF future network planning information page.