Planning for pedestrians

The Providing for Pedestrians report has been produced for use by a range of professionals. It is designed to facilitate and encourage the development of policy, planning practices and infrastructure provision that support the interests of pedestrians and people with disabilities who travel on footpaths and streets.

Information on this page

• Overview
• Major issue areas and settings

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Overview

The Providing for Pedestrians report (PDF, 295 KB, 65 pp.) explains the principles of providing for pedestrians, the reasons why we should devote more attention to walking and the needs of pedestrians. Walking is important as a sustainable travel mode in its own right, it provides access to most public transport trips, it is the most popular leisure activity and is an essential "exchange mode" for shopping and related activities. Walking is thus an essential part of our use of public space.

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Major issue areas and settings

The following is a quick summary of the eleven major factors affecting whether people walk or not and settings which are important in enabling and encouraging more people to walk more often, either as a means of transport or just for the pleasure of walking. The report goes in to further detail on each of the following:

Personal safety. Crime - or the perception of crime - is a major deterrent to walking, especially for women and older people. Surveys of pedestrians and their fears should be used to develop strategies to make places safer for all users.

Road safety. Rather than restrict the movement of pedestrians a “Road danger reduction approach” is promoted, which seeks to provide a safer environment for all users. Vehicle speed control has been widely adopted in Victoria as a means of making local streets safer.

Health issues. Increasing obesity and related health problems call for the development of urban environments that encourage activity. The Australian Heart Foundation SEPA (Sustainable Environments for Physical Activity) Guidelines are referenced as a model solution.

Social exclusion. This occurs when the residents of an area suffer from a range of linked problems: high unemployment, poor local facilities, limited public transport and poor walking environments. Many problems are associated with poor accessibility, and the solution involves a mix of better land use planning and the capacity for people to access what they need - preferably at low cost, in safe environments and on foot.

Walking adds value to our environment. Places that provide good walking environments are attractive to participants in the “new economy” and improvements to walking can positively impact on property values, liveability, the environment and efficient land use patterns.

Walking and the public transport system. Public transport services rely on a supportive walking environment. The location of stops, the quality of waiting places and the safety of passengers at their stops and on their journeys to/from stops are important.

Walking to school. School Travel Plans can provide safe solutions to provide children with exercise and reduce the need for car trips that cause local congestion.

Walking to Activity Centres and local shops. Almost a quarter of the trips for shopping and related activities are walked in Melbourne, but there are many gaps in the links between home and the centres. There is scope to reduce the use of the car for short trips and to improve the environment and the economic performance of centres.

Walking to work. The extent of walking to work can be increased through a variety of campaigns - (such as TravelSmart in Victoria). Walking is often part of a public transport trip to work.

Design for disability. Good design that assists pedestrians can go a long way to satisfying the needs of those with disabilities. However, when special needs are met (such as providing for the visually impaired) the general population benefits as well.

Engineering standards. It is important to design streets for people. The "5C's checklist" provides basic guidance on making all walking routes "Connected, Comfortable, Convenient, Convivial and Conspicuous". This section also provides advice on pedestrian facility audits.