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Introduction (cont.) Previous  Index  Next Images/MAGHome.jpg

Why and How to Use This Document

IF
  1. ...the purpose is to consider whether a pedestrian facility qualifies for MAG funding?
  2. ...the purpose is for a municipal employee to use it to consider ways to improve the city or town's pedestrian environment?
  3. ...they are being used to design a pedestrian facility?

THEN
A, B and C – Read and understand Principles and Abilities of Pedestrians.

THEN
  1. Using the methodologies in the Identify Pedestrian Facility Needs, calculate the latent pedestrian demand and, if appropriate, the roadside condition to determine the need for improvements.
  2. Read through the Recommendations to determine what items can be implemented.
  3. Consult the section on Design Principles and the Specific Design Guidelines.
The second section, "Recommendations" includes policies for local governments and other entities that could result in better accommodation of pedestrians.

The final section "Design Principles" can be used by project designers, along with the "Specific Design Guidelines". The Guidelines delineate those physical improvements that are required for a facility to be safe, what can make it comfortable, or what will make it a pedestrian destination.

A glossary and bibliography follow these sections. The bibliography includes Internet links to current resources available on the subject of pedestrian facility design.

CHANGES IN THIS UPDATED DOCUMENT

This update has reorganized the information from the 1995 document. In the 1995 guidelines, the concepts of neighborhood, community, district, and campus were used to help identify the type and design of facilities for pedestrians. The guidelines suggested that areas that received little use (such as neighborhoods or communities) do not require extensive facilities to be functional. Additionally, the concepts of pedestrians by choice and necessity were introduced to assist in prioritizing investments - with the suggestion that it was most important to provide facilities for pedestrians by necessity.

These guidelines are premised on the concept that all facilities, no matter how frequently they are used, and by how many people, need to be safe. Once basic safety has been addressed, enhancements that would encourage walking should be considered. These enhancements make pedestrian facilities comfortable and areas where walking is the desired transportation mode into destinations. Additionally, since these guidelines follow the principles of universal design, all facilities are designed for maximum ease of use by any pedestrian, the concepts of pedestrians by necessity and choice have been removed. Anyone has the right to a safe pedestrian facility whenever they use it.
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