Pedestrian-oriented site planning and design can contribute much to the convenience, comfort and enjoyment of daily activities. Land use and transportation planning should strive to minimize necessary auto trips by locating related activities together and developing a balanced transportation system which encourages pedestrian, bike and public transit as attractive alternatives to the automobile. The use of walkways within the installation promotes development sustainability by conserving energy, reducing air pollution, and decreasing the land requirement for parking. These walkways also provide a means to increase physical fitness while improving morale and retention as a quality of life initiative.

The following tactics may be implemented to encourage pedestrian circulation:

Pedestrians:

• Provide convenient routes, which are easy, safe and attractive to use.
• Provide clear signposting and lighting where appropriate.
• Ensure that routes are accessible to disabled people, particularly wheelchair users.
• Ensure that there is good, direct permeability throughout the site.
• Link routes to facilities, public transport nodes, open spaces and longer distance footpaths.
• Design for slow traffic speeds to improve safety and reduce noise.
• Provide conveniently located pedestrian crossing points on busy sections of road.
• Avoid steep gradients.
• Provide a pleasant microclimate through planting to provide shelter and orientation towards the sun, although care should be taken to ensure that routes are safe for all to use.
• Provide wayside seating at appropriate locations.

Figure 1. Pedestrian circulation and protection from inclement weather should be considered with design

Cyclists:

• Provide direct, safe and attractive routes that are segregated from general traffic only where cyclists cannot safely be accommodated within the carriageway.
• Joint pedestrian and cycle facilities may be considered only in circumstances where separate facilities for cyclists within the carriageway are not feasible, although pedestrian safety must not be compromised.
• Ensure that routes are as continuous as possible, avoiding frequent stops or diversions.
• Link routes within a developed campus to the wider cycle network.
• Measures to assist and ensure the safety of cyclists should be provided at major junctions.
• Provide a pleasant microclimate, particularly low-wind speeds, through landscape and site layout.
• Provide prominent, secure cycle parking which should be close to building entrances or inside buildings and should avoid the need to carry cycles on steps.
• Provide a high standard of secure long-stay cycle parking together with appropriate changing and shower facilities.

Figure 2. A Tech. Sgt. rides his bicycle
from base housing to work at
Mountain Home Air Force Base

Public transport and service vehicles:

• Adequate penetration for potential bus services and effective access for service vehicles should be provided.
• Layouts should be to the minimum possible geometric standard commensurate with safe access for buses and service vehicles in order to prevent excessive traffic speeds.
• Passenger facilities, such as bus shelters and timetable information, should be provided where appropriate.