This paper was presented at the "Cities, towns and traffic" session. These proceedings are available on CD-ROM. The recently approved Official Plan and Transportation Master Plan of the Region of Ottawa-Carleton share the goal of significantly increasing the walk, cycle and transit share of trips in the region. In order to achieve this goal, substantial changes to the transportation infrastructure, and to the attitudes and behaviours of all road users - pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, and motor vehicle passengers and drivers - are required. The Walking Security Index (WSI) is being designed to define, measure, and evaluate the level of security (safety, comfort and convenience) that is experienced and expected by pedestrians when using signalized intersections. The Index and related research is directly pertinent to discussions and decisions about whether and how signalized intersections need to be modified, or attitudes and behaviours need to be modified in order to harmonize community and transportation goals. Further, the Index can also be used for setting priorities for intersection modifications to improve walking security. A brief overview of the WSI Project's terms of reference, and the phases, activities and publications of the research program to date is presented. The following tasks are then discussed : 1. Specifying the variables to include in the WSI; 2. Formulating an index which best represents the level of security (safety, comfort, convenience) that pedestrians experience and expect to experience at signalized intersections; and 3. Using the Index to define problems at specific intersections and set priorities for modification. (A)
Samenvatting