Assist in achieving air quality standards by providing better and more functional pedestrian facilities, walkable routes to work and school, and access to transit.
Pedestrian improvements are an important air quality measure as they can reduce single occupancy vehicle trips and vehicle cold starts, two known significant causes of air pollution. The FHWA considers that "walking and bicycling (are)... part of a tripod that supports alternatives to single occupancy vehicle commuting. The other legs of the tripod are good transit, high density, and mixed use development. These three components together make it easy to get people out of their cars. Logically, it makes sense to start where one or more of these components already exist."
Over time, these components will lead to neighborhood scale services and activities that support workplace and neighborhood walking for utilitarian purposes, reducing the need for dependence on the vehicle to accomplish these errands.
Create, at a minimum, comfortable pedestrian facilities and environments that connect the pedestrian system to other transportation modes, in particular, light rail and bus.
In this region, light rail will be available by 2008. A key component of a successful light rail system is its connections with other transportation modes, in particular walking. Providing comfortable pedestrian improvements at and around light rail and bus stops, and comfortable pedestrian facilities that connect light rail and bus stops will make these types of trips more enjoyable and encourage the use of these facilities. Some of the specific types of facilities that could contribute to making pedestrian areas around light rail, bus stops, and the pedestrian connections between them comfortable include signing, shade, seating areas, lighting, and sight lines that enable the pedestrian to see the bus from the transit stop and vice-versa.
Pedestrian connections to bus and light rail are important, as are pedestrian connections between these local systems and other larger transportation systems such as interstate bus routes and other modes of transportation including train and air.
Take advantage of the inherent link between walking and economic development by creating destinations throughout the Valley that encourage pedestrian activity.
A shopping mall includes the elements of a destination pedestrian facility so it encourages walking and increases the exposure, and hence, sales opportunities to its tenants. Decorative flooring, amenities, visual corridors, and other amenities pull the shopper through the mall. The same principles can apply to outdoor pedestrian areas located throughout our region. Creating retail areas that offer similar amenities, could encourage walking and promote economic development by increasing visibility and access to them. If pedestrian facilities appeal to nearby residents, they will likely appeal to others that come from further away or from outside our region or state.
