Local Policies and Practices That Support Safe Pedestrian Environments (2012)

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84 APPENDIX B Interview Preparation Guide NCHRP Project 20-5: Synthesis Topic 42-11 Local Policies and Practices That Support Safe Pedestrian Environments The benefits of attractive and safe pedestrian environments are numerous and diverse. However, creating attractive and safe pedestrian environments is a complex challenge that relies on the delicate interplay between physical design and policy. Many communities around the country—like yours—have decided to face that challenge head-on and adopt a variety of regulatory, administrative, and financial practices designed to fund, require, and otherwise promote pedestrian facilities and activity. The Transportation Research Board (TRB), through its National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), is undertaking a synthesis that will document the wide array of regulatory, financial, and administrative practices used by communities to provide pedestrian-friendly environments. The synthesis will include various types of design guide- lines, land development regulations, financing mechanisms, operations, maintenance and enforcement measures. It is TRB’s intention that such a synthesis of these practices will inform and assist other communities to implement pedestrian-related improvements. In the course of conducting research for this synthesis, your name arose as contact information regarding _____________________________. If you are willing and able to discuss the initiative, the research team would like to briefly interview you to inform the synthesis report. The interview will be conducted over the phone, will last approximately thirty (30) minutes, and will be conversational in nature. Some of the themes and issues that the research team would like to discuss with you regarding the regulatory, admin- istrative, or financial practice that you utilized are: • The Goals and Objectives – What are the goals and objectives of the practice? • The Players Involved – Who initiated the implementation of the practice? What is the legal framework for the adoption of the practice? Did the practice require interagency cooperation in the planning or implementation phases? Under what authority was that cooperation enabled? Was there political support? Was there a champion for the practice? Was there community-driven support? Were other key staff involved? • Challenges – Were there legal or environmental hurdles? Was there opposition to the practice? From where? How were these challenges addressed? What was the cost of the practice and how was it funded? • Perceptions of Outcomes – Was implementation successful? Has the practice achieved the goals and objectives of the project? How do decision-makers and the general public perceive the practice? How do you measure success for the practice? Does this practice complement other initiatives and what are the perceptions of outcomes for that larger program? • Lessons Learned – What are the keys to success for implementation? Do you think this practice has applications in other municipalities? In what settings is the practice best applied? Does it have retrofit/new construction applications? Do you have any recommendations for those that would like to employ this practice elsewhere? • Other Efforts/Individuals – Are there additional efforts ongoing in your community that aim to encourage safe pedes- trian environments? Are there other individuals that you feel the research team should speak with in your community or elsewhere? The phone interview will be summarized by the researcher into a narrative document that tells the story of your initiative. This narrative may be included in the Final Synthesis Report and would provide high-level guidance for transportation profes- sionals that are interested in undertaking a similar effort. May we include your contact information in the Synthesis Report for further information? Thank you in advance for your participation.