Walking Classes Unite
Pedestrians
Cyclists
Public Transport
Users
Non-MotorisedTransport
Users
Walking Classes Unite
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
Walking Classes Unite
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
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