Thesis (M.L.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves.

It has been acknowledged that the pedestrian environment in downtown Pittsburgh is inadequate, lacking connectivity and significant amounts of quality open space, and as a transportation system it is in direct conflict with vehicular traffic. This creative project examines the condition of the pedestrian environment relative to the other systems, places, and activities that are affected by pedestrian welfare. The intense activity within the CBD generates volumes of pedestrian and vehicular traffic that it can hardly support. The pedestrian environment lacks sufficient space, and, as a result, the pedestrian's mobility is constricted and there is excessive conflict with vehicles. Moreover, pedestrians in downtown Pittsburgh have very few opportunities to access the waterfront and spaces and buildings of particular significance within and adjacent to the CBD.The design solutions that are proposed herein include a variety of development guidelines, street adaptations and open space recommendations. Through the installation of these solutions the pedestrian environment becomes enhanced and downtown Pittsburgh is able to become a more cohesive place where history, architecture and nature are integrated into an urban environment that is truly livable. / Department of Landscape Architecture

Planners and decision-makers recognize that non-motorized transportation provides environmental, economic, and public health benefits. Recent technology advances, such as the widespread use of mobile devices and geographic information systems, enable the collection of disaggregate built environment and travel behavior data. To integrate pedestrian planning into transport operations at local and regional scales, it is necessary to develop systems to rank and prioritize zones and corridors for pedestrian infrastructure investment. Best practices for pedestrian planning suggest that jurisdictions prioritize pedestrian projects based on a variety of concerns, such as high pedestrian activity, pedestrian safety, accessibility to transit and mobility for persons with disabilities, children and older adults. Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology developed and piloted an automated system to assess the quality of sidewalks, utilizing an Android™ App that collects GPS-enabled video, accelerometer, and gyroscope data. Researchers collected pilot sidewalk data within the City of Atlanta to evaluate the accessibility and walkability of pedestrian facilities. This research proposes a weighted ranking system to prioritize pedestrian projects using App-collected pedestrian facility data collected in the field using a mobile Android application, pedestrian safety indicators, pedestrian activity data and demographic data. The ranking system uses a set of block-level pedestrian potential and deficiency indicators to prioritize planning investments within a subarea of Midtown, Atlanta, Georgia, combining available data sources with app-collected sidewalk width data. The results of these rank-order prioritization analyses indicate that blocks near rail stations and Georgia Institute of Technology/Technology Square should be prioritized for pedestrian investments. However, further refinements are needed to extend the application of this methodology to larger geographic scales. Additionally, this research did not consider the cost constraints of pedestrian project alternatives within the study area. Future availability of comprehensive pedestrian activity and pedestrian network data will enable planners and engineers to prioritize corridors and intersections for pedestrian project implementation.

This research investigates the effect of pedestrian countdown signals (PCS devices) on crossing walking speed of pedestrians at urban signalized intersections. The research considers two age groups: (1) younger pedestrians (ages 20 to 64); and (2) older pedestrians (ages 65 and older). Two pedestrian walking speeds were used for this research: (1) crossing walking speed (speed pedestrians walk crossing a signalized intersection); and (2) normal walking speed (speed pedestrians walk a segment of sidewalk). The research found that PCS devices have an effect on a pedestrians’ crossing walking speed, regardless of age, by decreasing the speed. Older pedestrians alter their walking speed after the installation of PCS devices more than younger pedestrians. Furthermore, after the installation of PCS devices the walking speed of pedestrians shifts from a faster crossing walking speed towards a slower normal walking speed.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 160-168).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 121-127).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.

Thesis (M.L.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.

Thesis (M.Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes special study report entitled : Design evolution of interior pedestrian space. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.