WalkabilityIt’s a Human Issue!

Collierville, TN Seminar. Bloodworth

Why it matters.

22 out of 100

26 out of 100

DPZ

1250 Ft

Chickasaw Gardens

Permeability

The Structure of a Sponge: Many, many connections

Poor permeability increases the distance traveled.

It’s all about the Block

Top 10 Walkability Factors

• 10. Street Trees• 9. Lower Volumes• 8. Sidewalks• 7. Narrow Streets • 6. Interconnected Streets

• 5. On Street Parking• 4. Lower Traffic Speeds• 3. Mixed Land Use• 2. Buildings Fronting St. • 1. Small Block Size!

Rick Hall, P.E.

Plus Density, Vibrancy and Eyes on the Street

1000 Ft

Portland

250

1700

2850 Ft

700

2000 Ft

2250 Ft

Peabody

Vinton

4580 Ft

5050 Ft

3300 Ft 2250 Ft

2250 Ft

1250 Ft

4580 Ft

5050 Ft

3300 Ft 2250 Ft

2250 Ft

1250 Ft

1380 Ft 1380 Ft

1350 Ft

1350 Ft

1550 Ft

1350 Ft 1200 Ft

450

350

810 ft Average Block Perimeter

Block PerimeterPoundbury Block Perimeter

600-700Radius

NA ? 4500 2500 2000 1600

Fine GrainIt’s a Human Issue!

Block Face

Block length (in feet)Excellent: 250-400

Good: 400-500Acceptable: 500-600

Fair: 600-800Poor: more than 800

–TND Design Rating Standards, Version 1.5 (2005)

SafeIt’s a Human Issue!

Street Capacity

4-lane arterial @ 45mph = 2400 vph

Two 2-lane streets @ 30mph = 3600 vph

Credit: Tim Jackson

InterestingIt’s a Human Issue!

MixtureHow do you like your

Pizza?

Downtown Collierville

68 out of 100

Pizza Supreme!

Measuring Walkability

What Makes a Neighborhood Walkable

• A center: Walkable neighborhoods have a discernable center, whether it's a shopping district, a main street, or a public space.

• Density: The neighborhood is compact enough for local businesses to flourish and for public transportation to run frequently.

• Mixed income, mixed use: Housing is provided for everyone who works in the neighborhood: young and old, singles and families, rich and poor. Businesses and residences are located near each other.

• Parks and public space: There are plenty of public places to gather and play.

• On street parallel parking. The car acts as a buffer of protection.• Pedestrian-centric design: Buildings are placed close to the street

to cater to foot traffic, with parking lots relegated to the back. • Nearby schools and workplaces: Schools and workplaces are

close enough that most residents can walk from their homes. • Streets are skinny, speeds slow.

• Average Block Perimeter.• Average Block Face.• Blocks per Sq Mile• Number of intersections per Sq Mile• Number of uses within Walk Distance• Implied vehicular speeds.• Quality of frontages and fit-up.• Residential and worker density

Measures

Walk Score• Your Walk Score is a number between 0 and 100. Here are

general guidelines for interpreting your score:• 90–100 = Walkers' Paradise: Most errands can be accomplished

on foot and many people get by without owning a car. • 70–89 = Very Walkable: It's possible to get by without owning a

car. • 50–69 = Somewhat Walkable: Some stores and amenities are

within walking distance, but many everyday trips still require a bike, public transportation, or car.

• 25–49 = Car-Dependent: Only a few destinations are within easy walking range. For most errands, driving or public transportation is a must.

• 0–24 = Car-Dependent (Driving Only): Virtually no neighborhood destinations within walking range. You can walk from your house to your car!

RDI Example: Pre Neighborhood Connector

Route Directness Index can better illustrate Route Directness Index can better illustrate “before-and-after” Plan improvements“before-and-after” Plan improvements

Existing Shared-Use Path

Route Directness IndexRoute Directness Index

Crow FlightCrow Flight

Walk DistanceWalk Distance

1850 ft1850 ft

1850 ft1850 ft

RDIRDI

RDI: .20RDI: .20

.20.20

//

==

375 ft375 ft

375 ft375 ft

Transpogroup

Route Directness Index can better illustrate Route Directness Index can better illustrate “before-and-after” Plan improvements“before-and-after” Plan improvements

RDI Example: Post Neighborhood Connector

Existing Shared-Use Path

Route Directness IndexRoute Directness Index

Crow FlightCrow Flight

Walk DistanceWalk Distance

RDIRDI

==

375 ft375 ft

375 ft375 ft

RDI: .83RDI: .83

.83.83

New Neighborhood

Connectors

450 ft450 ft

450 ft450 ft

//

Transpogroup

The Regional Picture

Putting it all together

Australian Urban Model; Evan Jones

Credits: Movement for Israeli Urbanism and the J. Blaustein Institutes for Desert ResearchMICHAEL MEHAFFY, SERGIO PORTA, NIKOS SALINGAROS, YODAN ROFE

WalkabilityIt’s a Human Issue!

Additional SlidesFor discussion if needed

Block Perimeter

Block Perimeter (in feet)Excellent: 1000-1600

Good: 1600-2000Acceptable: 2000-2400

Fair: 2400-3200Poor: more than 3200

How long will it take to walk the perimeter of the block?

Streets Designed for Everyone• Complete Streets are roads are designed for everyone who

uses them, including bicyclists, pedestrians of all ages and abilities, and people getting on and off transit vehicles. These streets are:

• Accessible: There are wheelchair ramps, plenty of benches with shade, sidewalks on all streets, etc.

• Well-connected: Streets form a connected grid that improves traffic by providing many routes to any destination.

• Built for the right speed: Lanes are narrow or traffic calming is in place to control speed.

• Comfortable: Pedestrian medians at intersections, count-down crosswalk timers, bicycle lanes, protected bus shelters, etc. make the street work better for those outside of a car.