PEDESTRIAN FLOW CHARACTERISTICS IN URBAN AREAS

Abstract

Walk is the most efficient and effective mode of transportation for short trips. All trips in urban areas, be it by bus, car or train, begin and end as a pedestrian movement. A study conducted in Tiruchirapalli and China observed that out of the total trips, more than 60% trips were made on foot. The study from West Perth Australia, observed that 70% of all on-farm trips and 50% of shopping trips were made on foot. Based on traffic conditions and physical characteristics of a road four locations were selected for study. Data ass collected using video graphic technique. The relationships between pedestrian flow characteristics were developed and presented in diagrammatic form. Pedestrian flow characteristics were computed. Free flow speeds were observed to be more than 80m/min which is higher than that reported form South-East Asian countries and lower than those observed in Europe and comparable to those in US. Jam density was found varying between 2.56 and 4.43 ped/m2 for mixed traffic condition and was around 2.56 ped/m2 for walkway. Maximum flow rate was found between 52.23 and 95.44 ped/m/min under mixed traffic condition and 66.82 ped/m/min for walkway. Average walking speeds declined as the age of the pedestrian increased. Male pedestrian were found walking faster than their female counterparts. The pedestrians with baggage were walking slower than those walking without baggage and those moving in platoon were slower as compared to those individual. More than 80% pedestrians were found walking within 1.0 m width from the edge of the pavement. Level of service criteria were developed for pedestrian walkway, as well as, for pedestrian movements under mixed traffic condition. All the test locations were found to be under LOS F or LOS E.