2010 Dollars and Sense of Walking

Abstract Remit

Best practice walking environments require a safe walking space. Poor design and low maintenance of walking surfaces and roadside furniture can reduce safety, walking ambience, and cause inefficient walking speeds. In New Zealand around 700 pedestrians are admitted to hospital each year due to slips, trips and stumbles in the road environment, with many more unreported accidents, yet little is known regarding the specific physical characteristics that foster pedestrian accidents.

Abstract Remit

The NZ Transport Agency recently announced that New Plymouth and Hastings will collectively receive funding of $7.28m to become New Zealand's first walking and cycling model communities.

The purpose of this investment is to help create an environment that will make walking and cycling easy transport choices for people in New Plymouth and Hastings. Through this funding we’re also encouraging councils to integrate walking and cycling into their transport planning and other initiatives.

Abstract Remit

This paper describes the main findings of the Auckland Self-Explaining Roads (SER) project and outlines some actions and recommendations for advancing the SER concept in New Zealand.

Abstract Remit

In seeking to optimise the use of existing infrastructure and develop more vibrant shopping centres by creating places/spaces that people want to visit, many Councils are seeking to reallocate road space.

Abstract Remit

As part of Dundin City Council's Transportation Strategy and Community Plan delivery programmes, the Council has prioritised sustainable development and transportation solutions in order to support a balanced approach to promoting social, economic and environmental well being for Dundin's existing and future generations.

Abstract Remit

Stories are part of everyone's lives and the Feet First website has chosen narrative interaction  to encourage participation in both walking and sharing ideas. The stories which are placed on line are situated in the local environment and provide inspiration and ideas that provide local solutions. The  use of the web in this instance is largely participatory, and based on open source media through the use of citizen – centric principles.

Abstract Remit

Policy discussion about walking in New Zealand tends to assume that walking to work or school will happen in cities, whereas people will only walk for pleasure in natural environments or parks. Are concepts such as passeggiata, promenade and flânerie only for Europeans, while New Zealanders prefer a bush walk? I will argue that walking in cities can and should be a pleasure, and that encouraging recreational urban walking will also encourage mode shifts for commuting.

Abstract Remit

The New Zealand Agency (NZTA) investigated the relationship, if any, between school travel plans and improved road safety, in particular for pedestrians and cyclists.  

Using crash data within a 500 m radius around eleven schools in Auckland City over a 10 year period, this assessment indicates that the following decrease in reported crashes occurred since the launch of the travel plans:

_ 57% involving cyclists and pedestrians aged five to thirteen
_ 30% involving all pedestrian and cycling

Abstract Remit

Walkable communities mean accessible communities: where economic opportunities abound and where access to opportunities is enabled via transportation.  How then are these communities created?  How can better information be provided to decision makers about the benefits of providing improved accessibility?  And how accessible are our existing communities?