Minneapolis Department of Public Works

Public Works

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Pedestrian Master Plan Appendix C

Priority Improvement Projects Evaluation

Methodology
Project Identification
Pedestrian Need Evaluation
Project Readiness
Project Tiers
Potential Improvements to Prioritization Methodology

See documents:
Pedestrian Needs Results Maps (pdf)
Table C-4 Detailed Evaluation Results (xls)

Methodology

Project Identification

Potential pedestrian improvement projects were identified based upon a number of sources: pedestrian needs identified in CPED small area plans and the Access Minneapolis Transportation Action Plan; project ideas submitted for the second round of Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot Program solicitation; issues identified by a Fall 2007 inquiry to neighborhood organizations; bicycle and pedestrian trails in the Bicycle Master Plan Map; and a review of the existing conditions.

Over 250 potential improvement projects were originally identified, representing the following types of improvements:

Accessibility improvements were also recognized as an important type of need, but information was not available on the existing accessibility of pedestrian facilities. Many of the locations identified as having narrow sidewalks or needing street crossing improvements may also be good candidates for accessibility improvements.

The initial project list was presented at a public meeting in September 2008 for public review. The projects were then consolidated into the current list of approximately 150 potential projects.

Pedestrian Need Evaluation

All of the potential pedestrian improvement projects were evaluated based upon number of infrastructure condition and pedestrian demand measures, including crash incidence, multi-lane roadways, pedestrian zone width, sidewalk gaps, deficient pedestrian environment, transit priority, pedestrian generators, and areas with poor pedestrian network connectivity. Each potential improvement project was given a high, medium, or low rating for each of the evaluation measures, and a total pedestrian need level calculated summing the points for each measure, as defined in Table C-2. A summary of the resulting pedestrian need levels are shown in Table C-1 and Maps C-1 to C-6. The detailed evaluation results are shown Table C-4 (xls).

Table C-1: Pedestrian Need Evaluation Results

Project Type

Number of Projects by
Pedestrian Need Level

Total
High Medium Low
Complex Intersections 9 3 6 18
Street Corridors 18 24 21 63
Freeway bridges & interchanges 8 13 12 33
River and railroad bridges 2 5 0 7
Sidewalk infill 6 9 1 16
New Connections 3 11 7 21
Other 2 0 1 3
Total 48 65 48 161

Table C-2: Pedestrian Need Evaluation Criteria

Measurement High l
2 pts		 Medium £
1 pt		 Low ¡
0 pts		 See Map
Crash Incidence (total crashes involving pedestrians 2002-2006 within 1 block of project location) Corridor: 8 or more crashes per 1/4 mile

 

Intersection: 5 or more crashes

 Corridor: 4 or more crashes per 1/4 mile

 

Intersection: 2 or more crashes

 Corridor: less than 4 crashes per 1/4 mile

 

Intersection: less than 2 crashes

 #A-19
Multi-Lane Roadway 3 or more lanes per direction or divided 4 lane roadway 2 or more lanes per direction 1 lane per direction # A-16
Pedestrian Zone Width (measured as minimum sidewalk + boulevard width on at least 1 side of the street for successive blocks) 6 or less 7-9 10 or more # A-22

# A-26
Sidewalk Gap (sidewalk gap defined as location where as sidewalk is missing on one or both sides of the street and is needed to provide access to properties or to provide a direct connection to other sidewalks) Sidewalk gap on both sides of street Sidewalk gap on one side of street Complete sidewalks # A-12
Deficient Pedestrian Environment (indicates lack of enhancements to the pedestrian environment measured by the presence of pedestrian scale lighting, trees, architectural bridge fencing, or curb extensions) No enhancements present 1 type of enhancement present 2 or more types of enhancements present # A-18

 

# A-23
Transit Priority (the level of current or future transit use) Definite Primary Transit Network or Primary Transit Network and LRT/BRT station Primary Transit Network or LRT/BRT station No Primary Transit Network of LRT/BRT station # A-4
Number of Pedestrian Generators

 

schools, parks, museums, libraries, universities, large venues, hospitals, community corridors or neighborhood commercial node, or commercial corridors/activity centers (commercial corridors and activity centers are counted as 2 generators)

 4 or more 2-3 less than 2 # A-8

 

# A-1
Areas with Low Pedestrian Network Connectivity (defined as having an effective block size created by existing pedestrian facilities that is the same size as two large city blocks or larger – perimeter of 3960 ft or more) Surrounded by areas of poor connectivity on most sides Adjacent to some areas of poor connectivity Not located in areas of poor connectivity # A-13
Overall Pedestrian Need Level 8 or more pts 6 or more pts Less than 6 pts  

Project Readiness

In order to implement pedestrian improvement projects, there needs to be not only a demonstrated need for pedestrian improvements, but also an opportunity for pedestrian improvements to occur. Some potential projects will have a high need, but there may not be an opportunity to implement an improvement for many years. Likewise, some projects may have a low need relative to other potential pedestrian projects, but an opportunity exists to integrate pedestrian improvements into another infrastructure improvement project in a short timeframe.

An overall project readiness level of high, medium, or low was assigned for each potential improvement project based upon current information available according to the following definition:

Last updated Mar. 29, 2012