PEDESTRIAN ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR IN SUBURBAN ENVIRONMENTS

Pedestrianism in suburban areas was examined from the point of view of the walking and non-walking public. Nine case studies were conducted to determine the role of walking as an exclusive mode of travel. The sites examined comprised the three major types of pedestrian facilities overpasses, tunnels, and at-grade crossings--plus locations where new pedestrian facilities are anticipated. In each case, linkages between land uses were established to define reasons for local travel. The data were then analyzed to show how pedestrian facilities act to sustain the linkages. Various pedestrian characteristics were found to be related to walking activity. For example, age has a direct bearing on walking behavior, as children constitute the largest walking group. Acceptable walking distances up to about one-quarter mile (.4 km) were given for adults, while distances up to one mile (1.6 km) offer little impedance to children. Along with distance, fear of attack is a primary impedance to the potential adult walker, especially the female. Overpasses were cited as the most desirable pedestrian accommodation to bypass traffic, while the public showed little enthusiasm for tunnels due to the mischief they attract. People have also shown that, if the reason exists, they will cross heavy traffic to travel by foot. The results of this study are ultimately interpreted to provide the Department with general principles for successful pedestrian planning in suburban areas. Finally, the survey findings support the idea of combined pedestrian and bicycle ways.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This is Volume II of "Development of Guidelines For Accommodating Safe and Desirable Pedestrian Activity within the Highway Environment".
• Corporate Authors:

  Virginia Highway and Transportation Research Council

  Charlottesville, VA  United States 
• Authors:
  • Perfater, M A
  • Demetsky, M J
• Publication Date: 1975-3

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 21 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bikeways; Crosswalks; Human characteristics; Land use; Overpasses; Pedestrian tunnels; Pedestrians; Suburbs; Trip purpose; Walking distance; Walkways
• Old TRIS Terms: Pedestrian characteristics
• Subject Areas: Highways; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; Society; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00128265
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: VHTRC 75-R31
• Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Mar 10 1976 12:00AM