Changing needs in Urban Traffic Rob Methorst Chair COST 358 Pedestrians’ Quality Needs Rijkswaterstaat Centre for Transport and Navigation 27th of October 2011 27th of October 2011 Outline • Introduction • The starting point • Basic principles • Analysis – Facts – Changes – Context • Solutions • Key messages Rijkswaterstaat 2 Changing needs in Urban Traffic 27th of October 2011
Introduction • Vitality of the city depends on the pedestrian • Car-dependency becomes a burden • Sustainability of current urban systems questionable • Need for Plan B Rijkswaterstaat 3 Changing needs in Urban Traffic 27th of October 2011 Starting point [1] • Walking is basic, natural mode – Everyone is a pedestrian – Even today substantial shares, in time spent, nr. of trips, distances covered • Relatively little research on walking • COST 358 Pedestrians’ Quality Needs • OECD/ITF Working Group Pedestrian Safety, Urban Space and Health • Walking is the glue of the transport system (Sauter, Risser) • Urban traffic: It’s not rocket science, it’s much more complicated! Rijkswaterstaat 4 Changing needs in Urban Traffic 27th of October 2011
Starting point [2] Governmental tasks regarding Walking: ‘Taking care of the pedestrians is managing everyday life’s commonplace events, is having an interest for and being sensitive to the unseen. No glory nor glamour. It is all about discretion, and is nevertheless our life’s foundation ’ [Wiedmer-Dozzio – City of Genève CH] Rijkswaterstaat 5 Changing needs in Urban Traffic 27th of October 2011 Basic principles [1] 2. Design for All / Universal design / Inclusive Design – Usable by as many people as possible regardless of age, ability or situation. – A broad-spectrum solution that helps everyone, not just people with disabilities. – Recognise the importance of the look and appeal to a wide range of potential users. Normal task competence, normal risks Number of people Highly Children, capable, risk elderly, taking, handicapped agressive drivers Undergo extreme risks Set high risks Task competence Rijkswaterstaat 6 Changing needs in Urban Traffic 27th of October 2011
Basic principles [2] Trans- E Social E portation n environ- n v ment v i 1. Start with the pedestrian i Road r r user o o − Key element in the system n n m m − Needs, Abilities and e e n Opportunities as starting point n Physical t t environ- ment societal developments Needs (N) MP Behaviour OS Opportunities (O) BC Abilities (A) Rijkswaterstaat 7 Changing needs in Urban Traffic 27th of October 2011 Basic principles [3] 3. Comprehensive analysis − Quest for true figures; question official statistics − Cover all elements, relations and intervention options 4. Cascade principle – On all levels, the context sets the stage for activities, so intervene on the highest possible level. The Fundament focus on: Policy Preconditions Lifestyle - Strategic level focus on: Travel Preconditions Tactical level focus on: Latent problem causes Operational level Focus on: traffic behaviour Rijkswaterstaat 8 Changing needs in Urban Traffic 27th of October 2011
Analysis – Facts [1] • Needs relate to Ability groups and Opportunities i.e. children, elderly, limited mobility, shoppers, … • Planes of behaviour: Lifestyle > Strategic > Tactical > Operational • Comprehensive analysis: Need to uncover (partially) hidden matters • Population segmentation re. abilities and opportunities Rijkswaterstaat 9 Changing needs in Urban Traffic 27th of October 2011 Analysis – Facts [2] • Mobility – Walking: Access and Sub-access mode (mono – multi modal walking) – Inequality: 50% of people do not have choice to go by car – Elderly: essential trips = services/health, social, exercise; proximity requirement • Sojourning – an objective in itself • Safety and security – biased image: – dominant accident type: falls (4–9 x more victims than traffic accident) – Elderly: at risk, not risky; extremely risk sensitive • Satisfaction – gap in knowledge Rijkswaterstaat 10 Changing needs in Urban Traffic 27th of October 2011
Analysis – Expected changes [1] Major trends are: • Ageing of the population: – More people with limited mobility – Work force: insufficient capacity services and support – Fragility � severity of injuries increase; longer recovery periods – More people with free time � difficult for authorities… – Higher expectations regarding free time and recreation • Increasing car dependency: – Inequality of access • Increasing car and HGV traffic : – Increased crossing risk Rijkswaterstaat 11 Changing needs in Urban Traffic 27th of October 2011 Analysis – Expected changes [2] Major trends are (continued) : • Climate change : – Suppressed mobility, risk of falls, risk in emergencies • Increasing raw materials prices: – Affordability of transport • Call for healthier lifestyles – Affordability of health care • Government will lose power and influence: – Related to ageing of population and decreasing workforce – Less tax income, more expenditure ( cf. road maintenance, health care) – Lower investment budgets Rijkswaterstaat 12 Changing needs in Urban Traffic 27th of October 2011
Analysis – Context and preconditions [1] • Public opinion: – walking is a choice; not a problem, as there are good alternatives • Knowledge: – Walking receives little scientific attention; this is shifting, however. – Low data availability (no potency in arguments); data often severely biased – Absent or inadequate on work floor level • Willingness to intervene and improve: – No strong Walking Advocacy as negotiator – Stakeholders without power have most to lose – Little economic drive: no financial interest; low cost facilities Rijkswaterstaat 13 Changing needs in Urban Traffic 27th of October 2011 Analysis – Context and preconditions [2] • Walking is a solution to many urgent problems – Lack of space, Health, Environment, Raw materials shortage, Security,… • Substantial system benefits of walking: – need to be highlighted and made compelling – cf. WHO HEAT Tool for assessing financial benefits • The benefits (individuals, private bodies) do not go to the payer (government) Rijkswaterstaat 14 Changing needs in Urban Traffic 27th of October 2011
Solutions [1] • Apply Cascade principle 1. Pre-conditional measures – Organise building of awareness of (economic and social) benefits of walking and sojourning – Data collection and data management – Monitoring and evaluation of policy implementation – Knowledge management and research planning; education of practitioners – Issue National guidelines, Policy papers and ‘carrots’ Rijkswaterstaat 15 Changing needs in Urban Traffic 27th of October 2011 Solutions [2] 2. Strategic activity level measures – Enforcement of proximity of services in Land Use – Improved connectivity, accessibility, conspicuousness and information – Promotion of awareness of attractiveness and true opportunities – Road classification: separation traffic flow – sojourning – Organisation of falls prevention training 3. Tactical activity level measures – Route guidance – Supply (attractive) shortcuts – Improve network safety Rijkswaterstaat 16 Changing needs in Urban Traffic 27th of October 2011
Solutions [3] 4. Operational activity level measures – Forgiving pavements and roadsides – Safe crossing facilities – Improved convenience, conspicuousness and comfort of walking facilities – Systematic maintenance, removing obstacles and cleaning; organise winter maintenance – Control of absence of obstacles in pedestrian space – Permit policy for works in progress: free and safe walking – Monitor and evaluate usability of public space Rijkswaterstaat 17 Changing needs in Urban Traffic 27th of October 2011 Recommendations � Target on independent mobility of the elderly; tackle car dependency � Invest in positive awareness building: we can solve the matter � Evolving communities necessitate comprehensive studies: o Rule: Garbage in – garbage out o Quest for the unseen o Undetected problems are expensive � Apply the Cascade principle: ad-hoc approaches waste money Rijkswaterstaat 18 Changing needs in Urban Traffic 27th of October 2011
Thank you! Rijkswaterstaat 19 Changing needs in Urban Traffic 27th of October 2011 Colophon Author: Rob Methorst – Chair COST 358 Pedestrians’ Quality Needs Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment Rijkswaterstaat Centre for Transport and Navigation PO Box 5044 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands E-mail: rob.methorst@rws.nl Telephone: + 31 88 7982 453 Websites: www.walkeurope.org Rijkswaterstaat 20 Changing needs in Urban Traffic 27th of October 2011
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