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3 tion processes, it provides documentation of how practices have been implemented in various types of settings. Four case studies provide in-depth illustrations of how various practices can be implemented in a coordinated fashion, often aimed at different but complementary aspects of improving the pedestrian environment. This synthesis is not intended to offer recommendations or guidance on the selection of specific pedestrian safety measures. Various documents and tools that offer such a function, including PEDSAFE: Pedestrian Safety Guide and Countermeasure Selection System (U.S. Department of Transportation 2004); Guidance for Implementation of the AASHTO Strategic Highway Safety Plan. Volume 10: A Guide for Reducing Collisions Involving Pedestrians (Zegeer et al. 2004); and NCHRP Report 500 Volume 12: A Guide for Addressing Crashes at Signalized Intersections (Antonucci et al. 2004). METHODOLOGY The research approach for this synthesis featured two pri- mary components: a literature review and telephone/in-per- son interviews with key staff involved in the development or implementation of practices described as successful. The literature review included searching and reading profes- sional journals and publications from the NHTSA, TRB), American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), APTA, and other organizations involved in transportation and pedestrian issues. As practices that were described as successful were noted, additional targeted research was conducted to col- lect information on the development and implementation of these practices. Practices presented in this synthesis are distributed throughout the four AASHTO regions in com- munities of varying geographies and climates, and feature diversity among a collection of criteria including popula- tion size, demographics, and development conditions. Addi- tionally, practices were sought that fit into five qualitative categories: (1) public right-of-way engineering and design guidelines; (2) architectural and urban design guidelines; (3) planning and land development regulations; (4) financing mechanisms; and (5) operations, maintenance, and enforce- ment issues. CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND Attractive and safe pedestrian environments provide numerous benefits. Increased pedestrian activity is linked to improved health and general well-being, reduced vehi- cle emissions and greenhouse gas production, improved air quality, reduced traffic congestion, and increased eco- nomic activity, as well as difficult-to-quantify quality-of- life benefits (Komanoff 1993; Prassas 1999; Centers for Disease Control 2011). Yet creating attractive and safe pedestrian environments is a complex challenge that relies on the delicate interplay between physical design and pol- icy. The walking environment is affected by the quality of pedestrian facilities, roadway conditions, and land use patterns, as well as policy decisions that directly or indi- rectly affect the ability to fund, operate, and maintain that environment. The pedestrian environment can affect per- ceptions about walking and the acceptance of walking as a viable mode of transportation. Many communities around the country have decided to adopt various regulatory, administrative, and financial prac- tices designed to fund, require, and otherwise promote safer pedestrian facilities and activities. These practices have been packaged and branded under concepts such as livability, sus- tainability, complete streets, context-sensitive solutions, and other movements that promote comfortable access and travel for all users of a transportation system, including motorists, transit, bicyclists, and pedestrians. PURPOSE The objective of this synthesis is to document various prac- tices that municipalities use to provide pedestrian-friendly environments. The synthesis captures practices and strategies that have been reported as effective in a range of contexts and development conditions. The following pages offer diverse examples of practices undertaken by communities around the country, all looking to improve the safety, convenience, com- fort, and accessibility of the pedestrian experience. This synthesis is intended to provide information to transportation professionals interested in exploring strat- egies to promote pedestrian safety and mobility. Through narrative descriptions of the development and implementa-
4 describe the context, development, and implementation of each practice. It should be noted that these narratives focus on the documentation of practices that aim to support safe pedes- trian environments and discussion of how the needs of pedes- trians are balanced with the needs of transit; private vehicles and freight are not the primary focus of these vignettes. ORGANIZATION This synthesis contains five chapters. Chapter one is the introduction. Chapter two includes a state-of-the-practice overview wherein a sample of practices is presented in implementation narratives that provide brief vignettes of how these practices were developed and implemented and the players involved. Chapter three presents four case stud- ies to offer a detailed exploration of communities that have implemented various practices and how those practices are coordinated. Chapter four analyzes crosscutting and recur- ring themes regarding challenges, keys to success, and con- textual variation among practices. Chapter five summarizes of key findings and recommendations for further research. Telephone, and in a few cases, in-person interviews were conducted with professionals involved in the development or implementation of these practices. Interview subjects were identified through contact information listed in existing lit- erature and by calling agencies to ascertain the appropriate contact. After gauging ability and willingness to take part in an interview, subjects were provided with an Interview Prep- aration Guide that included background information on this research synthesis and provided sample questions to indicate the themes and topics of the interview. The Interview Prepa- ration Guide is in Appendix B. Interviews focused primarily on process-oriented topics such as the goals and origin of the practice, as well as any challenges and keys to success for both the development of the practice and its implementation. Subjects were also asked about other practices that would add value to the research synthesis both in their communities and elsewhere. Interviews lasted approximately 30 minutes. Documentation associated with the practices (plans, reports, brochures) was also reviewed and used in addition to the interviews to inform the practice narratives found in chapters two and three. These narratives offer vignettes that
