Walking Classes Unite

Pedestrians

Cyclists

Public Transport

Users

Non-MotorisedTransport

Users

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A platform working for truly sustainable

environmentally friendly form of transportation

for the city

Walking Classes Unite

A platform

that voices the lack of pedestrian

amenities in the city.

Walking Classes Unite

A platform

that works with interested local neighborhood

groups, conducting audits to appraise access

conditions in specific areas.

A platform

that respects the hawkers right to livelihood as

outlined by the National Policy for Urban

Street Vendors. Walking Classes Unite

What is Walking Classes Unite?• It is a platform

– that acts as a pressure group to make demands for pedestrian access to city planners

Walking Classes Unite

A platform

that acts as a pressure group to make

demands for accessible pedestrian facilities in

city planning

A pressure

group that recommends measures to make the

pedestrian space more inclusive for the

elderly, persons with disability and children.

Walking Classes Unite

A pressure group

that directs attention to the needs of

pedestrians, public transport users and non-

motorized vehicle users.

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Transportation Mode %

Walking 29

Cycling 14

Public Bus 38

Commuter Rail 4

Two Wheeler 7

Car 3

Others 5Source: The World Bank

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Victims (%) Impacting Vehicle

Pedestrian/Cyclist

63 Single Vehicle 6

M2W 27 M2W 3

M3V 2 M3W 1

Cars 3 Car 23

Buses/Trucks

5Buses/Trucks

65Source: Badami 2008

Chennai is urbanizing rapidly

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Everyday, 500 new vehicles are added to the roads in Chennai (10% growth), while the

growth of road space is only 2-3%(cited Dr. KP Subramanian)

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Current road developments place priorities on increasing traffic flow at the expense of

pedestrians space.

Pedestrian Space is being encroached upon

Pedestrians and cyclists comprise the most environmentally friendly commuters in the city. 71% of air pollution in Chennai is caused by vehicles. (TNPCB 2003)

“Public transportation, pedestrianisation and non motorized transport would go a long way in energy conservation and hence promoting the same is an essential means of energy conservation.” - Mr. M Ramachandran, Ministry of Urban Development

About the Audit

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About the Audit

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Footpath: common problems

– unutilized due to the height, non-continuity and obstructions

– height: 1.3 to 1.6 feet on average

• too high for elderly and disabled people

• no ramp

– surface is uneven due to loose and dislodged pavement stones

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Obstructions on the footpathImmovable obstructions

• electric/cable poles and sign posts, electrical transformers and bus stands

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– removeable obstructions

• piles of rubbish/ commercial garbage, gravel, stones, bricks and shop materials

Obstructions on the footpath

– two-wheelers and bicycles parked on the footpath

Obstructions on the footpath

Pedestrian crossings

– three types of crossings, regulated by:

• traffic police

• light signals

• unregulated;

– inappropriate locations

• not according to pedestrian use

• chosen in accordance with increasing traffic flow;

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– Insufficient time allotted to cross intersections

Pedestrian crossings

Safety issues with the crossings– pedestrian crossing signal is on at the same time

as the free left turn signal for vehiclesWalking Classes Unite

Safety issues with the crossings

– lack of safe wait areas in the intersection for walkers crossing the street

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Safety issues with the crossings

– drivers disregarding traffic rules such as running red lights

Safety issues with the crossings– pedestrians crossing a road intersection

are at risk of vehicles making U-turns

Completely cover the open drain

Re-pave the foot path completely

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Recommendations from the Audit Put in a footpath where the Petrol Pump

and the bridge have encroached on the pedestrian space

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Height of footpath needs to be reduced to six inches

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Ramps must be installed at each curb

All transformers and telephone booths need to be modernized and relocated to the edge of the

footpath

Close the crossing at Thiruvaleshwar Nagar.

Two additional crossings need to be opened at JeevanBeema Nagar and after Thiruvaleshwar Nagar.

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Proper policing and enforcement of traffic rules at unregulated crossings

Free

left turns

at

the

Thirumangalam

Junction

should

be

eliminated.

Traffic signals at Park Road Junction and in front of the DAV Senior Boys’ Secondary school need to be

repaired.

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Proper lighting needs to be installed on the footpath.

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Advertisement boards should be removed from the footpath

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• These electric and telephone cables should be removed and put underground

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Recommendations from the auditAn effective, efficient complaint system needs to be

set up so that residents can inform the municipality of any problems or hazards existing on the streets

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Hawkers need to be moved to the side of the

footpath and regulated to three feet each. They

should pay rent for their lot.

• Walkers need to build a platform to lobby for more inclusive pedestrian space.

• City planners need to be more sensitive to the safety and needs of pedestrians. Pedestrians should get priority in the planning process.

• Government needs to promote more public transport use and walking, rather than car use.

Solutions?

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Conclusion

If you are interested in helping out, contact

Venkat: 9884706531

(happy to help)

Walking Classes Unite