Using GIS for Evaluation of Neighborhood Pedestrian Accessibility

TLDR

Neighborhood design can reduce car use by encouraging walking, so minimizing walking distances is desirable. The study demonstrates a GIS‑based method to compare average walking accessibility across different neighborhood designs. The authors applied the method to a 23.3‑ha site with three plans—original layout, layout without walkways, and a sustainable redesign—evaluating schools, open space, and transit stops as destinations to quantify pedestrian accessibility differences. The analysis shows that adding pedestrian walkways markedly improves accessibility, yet even minor plan changes leave many residents beyond acceptable walking distances, underscoring the need for empirical evaluation of subdivision layouts.

Abstract

The neighborhood-level destination offers the potential for diversion from automobile travel to walking, and design that minimizes neighborhood walking distances should be encouraged. This paper illustrates the use of a geographic information systems (GIS) based approach to compare the average walking accessibility between alternative neighborhood designs. Three neighborhood plans for an actual 23.3-ha site are considered: the development's original layout, the original layout without pedestrian walkways, and a more “sustainable” redesign. Schools, open space, and transit stops are considered as neighborhood destinations and a difference in pedestrian accessibility for the alternative plans is documented. Results suggest that empirical evaluation of neighborhood accessibility for subdivision layouts should be undertaken; that pedestrian walkways are an excellent means to improve walking accessibility within neighborhoods; and that with only minor changes to a site plan, many residents unfortunately remain beyond currently accepted walking distances for neighborhood-level destinations.