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Memphis Walkability Toolkit
Thanks to Our Partners
This Walkability Toolkit was developed through a
partnership between Livable Memphis, the Memphis
Center for Independent Living and the Memphis
Regional Design Center (now the University of
Memphis Design Collaborative) to equip community
members with a specific tool to measure the
accessibility of sidewalks to all members of society.
Funding and assistance from America Walks was integral in developing and testing of the toolkit.
Purpose of the Walkability Toolkit
This toolkit is meant to assist neighborhood
associations, CDCs, and/or community volunteers
who want to improve the conditions of sidewalks in
their communities.
The toolkit works best when the survey is followed
by a targeted campaign to advocate for sidewalk
and other pedestrian improvements.
This toolkit also contains advocacy strategies for
repairing and maintaining sidewalks in your
neighborhood.
Components of the Toolkit
Why Does Walkability Matter?
Assessing Pedestrian Infrastructure & Walkability
What to Look For
Assessment Checklist
Available Mobile Apps
See Click Fix – Memphis 311 App
Memphis Parcel Survey App (for Sidewalks)
Requires an organizational account
Advocacy Tools for Sidewalk Repair
Draft Letters to Property Owners & Reporting Tools
Property Owner’s Guide to Sidewalk Maintenance
Repair Resources
Local Contacts and Contractors
Walkability: Why?
SafetyHealth &
Well-Being
Equity &Economics
Sustainability
Walkability
&
Livability
Walkability: Safety
Every year there are between 300-400 pedestrian injuries and between 10-20 pedestrian fatalities in Memphis. Many of these injuries involve children and are preventable.
Transportation for America’s Dangerous by Design 2014 report ranks Memphis #5 of the most dangerous large metros, based on T4A’s Pedestrian Danger Index.
Walkability: Safety
The Memphis
Pedestrian &
School Safety
Action Plan,
completed in
2015,
analyzed
citywide crash
data to help
prioritize
pedestrian
improvement
projects.
Between 2007-2011, there were 1,800 pedestrian crashes in Memphis, including 75 fatalities.
Walkability: Health & Well-Being
The 2012 “F as in Fat,” a report funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, predicts
that by 2030, Tennessee will have an obesity prevalence rate of 63.4%, placing us as one of
the most obese states in the county. The financial consequence of this rate of prevalence
results in an annual additional medical cost of $3.6 billion for Tennessee.
Walkability: Equity & Economics
“Walkable urban regions in the U.S. have a
41 percent higher Gross Domestic Product
over non-walkable regions.” C. Leinberger, George Washington U. & President of Locus
“The cost of owning and operating a single
vehicle averages close to $9,000/year,
($750/month)… Given per capita income
for Memphis ($18,000- $24,000), many
people could spend the majority of their
entire incomes on housing and
transportation alone.” Mid-South Regional Greenprint
Walkability: Equity & Economics
Nearly 1/3 of
the U.S.
population is
transportation
disadvantaged
and without
reliable access
to food,
medical care,
employment or
educational
opportunities.
How to Use the Walkability Toolkit
Read through all sections of the Walkability Toolkit to
know what you’ll be looking for and why.
Choose your walk route and if possible, map it out.
Decide which assessment tool (paper or app) to use.
Start your walk. When you encounter an issue, log it
using your mobile device or survey tool, being sure to
clearly identify the property address or location.
Photograph issues if possible and note the location (the
mobile apps will associate pics with the reports).
Assessing Pedestrian Infrastructure
1. Missing Sidewalks
a. There are properties with missing sidewalks or
sidewalk panels
2. Impediments to Path of Travel
a. Permanent clear path of travel is less than 36”
b. At turning points/corners, sidewalk is not wide
enough for a wheelchair to turn 40”
c. There are trash cans, leaves, temporary structures,
or obstacles that do not leave 36” of clear travel
d. There is a height clearance less than 80”
3. Uneven Surfaces, Grates, and Gaps
a. There is a change in level over ½”
b. There is a hole, gap, or broken sidewalk – wider
than 2”
c. There is a drainage cover that is not secure
d. Grating has gaps larger than ½” running in the
direction of travel
4. Cross Slopes and Driveways
a. There is a noticeable cross slope
b. Driveway flares steeper than 1:12 or 8.33%
c. There is a compound slope (multiple slopes) in the
path of travel
d. The driveway apron (sidewalk crossing a
driveway) is steeper than a 2% slope
5. Intersections, Crosswalks, and Curb Ramps
a. Intersections did not have curb ramps for
wheelchairs, strollers and wagons
b. Crosswalk does not align with curb ramp
c. Crosswalk is not marked, is faded or
unrecognizable
Assessing: Missing Sidewalks
There are
properties
with missing
sidewalks or
sidewalk
panels
Assessing: Impediments to Travel
Permanent
clear path of
travel is less
than 36”
Turning point
is less than
40”
Obstacles do
not leave 36”
of clear travel
Height
clearance less
than 80”
Assessing: Uneven Surfaces & Gaps
There is a
change in
level over ½”
There is a
hole or gap
wider than 2”
Drainage
cover is not
secure or
grating has
gaps > ½”
There is
damage from
tree roots
Assessing: Cross Slopes & Driveways
Noticeable
cross slope or
steep
driveway
apron
Compound /
multiple slope
in the path of
travel
Assessing: Crosswalks & Ramps
No curb ramps
for
wheelchairs,
strollers and
wagons
Crosswalk does
not align with
curb ramp
Crosswalk is
not marked, is
faded or
unrecognizable
How to Use the Toolkit – The Tools
The old fashioned way!
Printable checklist
Memphis 311 App
“See-Click-Fix”
Reports to city staff and
user can track progress
Memphis Parcel Survey
Requires account to use
No auto-report to city
“Bluff City Snapshot” app
Memphis 311 App: See-Click-Fix
If “Sidewalk”
option isn’t
shown, choose
“Other.”
See-Click-Fix: Memphis 311 App
If “Sidewalk” option isn’t shown, choose “Other.”
Memphis Parcel Survey App
Select
“Sidewalk
Survey”
Memphis Parcel Survey App
Memphis Parcel Survey App
The Memphis Parcel
Survey app allows an
organization to track
multiple issues in a
neighborhood or block
over time.
However, it requires
an account and does
not currently interface
with the City of
Memphis’ reporting
system, so tracking
and reporting must be
done manually.
Memphis Parcel Survey App
Special thanks to CD Council member Binghampton Development Corp.
for creating the Memphis Parcel Survey app – contact
[email protected] to learn more.
Advocacy Tools
After conducting your Walkability Assessment, here
are a few steps you can take:
Send a letter to property owners alerting them to the
problem(s), their responsibility to maintain their sidewalks, and
assistance programs they might use.
Submit a complaint using the Memphis 311 app, online at
www.memphistn.gov/residents/311landingpage.aspx, or by
calling 311.
Reach out to your neighborhood association, community
development corporation, or other organization about
walkability, coordinating sidewalk repairs, and other neighborhood issues.
Tools: Ex. Letter to Property Owners
Date
Property Owner
Address
Dear neighbor,
Sidewalks are an important asset for our neighborhood – especially for children, seniors, and people with disabilities. In order to make our neighborhood a better place for residents, (Neighborhood Association, CDC, etc.) has been identifying hazardous sidewalk conditions and reaching out to property owners about their roles in making our neighborhood a safe place for people to walk.
Did you know that maintaining sidewalks is generally the responsibility of private property owners, as stated by Memphis City Ordinance? While the city may address things like curbs,
ramps, drains, and issues caused by utility poles, keeping the sidewalk itself in good repair is the responsibility of the home or business owner. The city does offer assistance to certain homeowners, based on their age, ability, and income.
We would sincerely appreciate your assistance with this matter. Should you have questions regarding the City’s specifications for sidewalk repair, please call the city’s 311 help line or
visit www.memphistn.gov/sidewalks.
Respectfully,
Your neighbor
Tools: Sidewalk Repair Assistance
For owner-occupied residential properties
whose owner has been notified of their
responsibility to make repairs to damaged
sidewalks in accordance with Memphis City
Code of Ordinances, Sec. 12-24-3, 100%
financial assistance is available for those
who meet certain criteria:
100% disabled & household income is $25,000 or
less
Aged 65+ & household income is $25,000 or less
Meets poverty threshold based on household size
& income
Tools: Additional Resources
City of Memphis Sidewalk Resources:
www.memphistn.gov/sidewalks
Pedestrian & School Safety Action Plan:
www.bikepedmemphis.wordpress.com/plans
-and-publications/publications/
Livable Memphis Walkability Toolkit:
www.livablememphis.org/pedestrians
List of bonded sidewalk repair contractors
www.livablememphis.org/pedestrians
Memphis Walkability Toolkit
Thanks for your interest in making your city and
neighborhood a better place for people to walk. For
questions about using the Toolkit, please contact us
at 901-725-3125 or at [email protected].
Be sure to find us online at www.livablememphis.org
and www.facebook.com/LivableMemphis.
Livable Memphis is a program of the Community
Development Council of Greater Memphis.