Development of Composite Pedestrian Level of Service Model in Urban Milieu at Midblock Sections

Abstract

The pedestrian mode is gaining recognition as a basic building block in urban system design. Increasing attention is being given to developing vehicle-free zones to reduce urban pollution and return the inner city to its former role as a place for personal interaction. Attempts are being made to improve the walking experience, to make it more safe, convenient, and attractive especially in urban milieu to promote sustainable development. To provide the best pedestrian environment, it is necessary to understand pedestrian level of service. Conventional techniques of LOS determination consider the basic mobility characteristics of the pedestrian. The objective of this study is to develop a more accurate method of estimating level of service of pedestrians by developing composite indicators that integrate both qualitative and quantitative factors affecting both pedestrian and roadway conditions in the pedestrian movement. The relative importance of these multifaceted factors is assessed using Saaty scale and an Analytic Hierarchy Process is applied to determine the level of service. Field investigations include road network characterization and inventory studies, vehicular / pedestrian traffic characterization studies, pedestrian opinion surveys, expert opinion surveys. The approach has been applied to a major arterial road in Hyderabad city, Telangana, India in Mehdipatnam zone where pedestrian interactions are relatively high due to the commercial activity along the corridors. The stretches considered in the study exhibited Level of service "B" and "C" which implied necessary improvements to promote a good level of service.