We surveyed 24 footpaths in Pune in May-June to find what % of pedestrians walk on the footpaths. We found that just little tweaks in the FP design would have accommodated virtually all pedestrians on the FPs!
This map shows their locations:
Our observations on some of the footpaths are:
F10, Wakdewadi ST stand, near PMPML stops
As many as 91% pedestrians were found using this ‘footpath’ at Wakdewadi ST Stand! What you see here is a cycle track, adjacent to a ‘footpath’ that is occupied by illegally parked vehicles. Don’t the traffic police see these vehicles parked on the footpath?
F11, Nagar Rd Opp Four Points Sheraton
With street vendors, people don’t have to drive for their needs. A managed no of vendors are good. A ‘footpath’ needs to give space to vendors+customers, and then also enough space for people to walk. This footpath on Nagar Rd. hosts 86% of the pedestrians!
F16, Bibwewadi Kondhwa north edge
This footpath on Bibwewadi-Kondhwa Rd provides a clear, uninterrupted walkway. 79% peds on FP! But it could have been easily wider by about a meter, even without affecting parking. We are sure that would have put nearly 100% pedestrians on the FP.
F18, Shivarkar Garden western edge near Venus
This footpath in Fatimanagar treats pedestrians like second class citizens. Huge space is provided for parking! Only 35% pedestrians use it. This lady + son would have walked on the FP if it were wide enough to push parking in the same line as the tree.
F19, Loop Rd near Don Bosco
Loop Rd has an example of a footpath that is not super-wide, but provides a clear, uninterrupted walkway. 79% peds are on the FP here. Yet, just one more meter would put the guy in the checkered shirt on the footpath, instead of walking next to moving vehicles.
F20, Viman Nagar Rd north edge
This Vimannagar footpath offers more obstructions to walk, than the carriageway. No wonder only 23% pedestrians were found using it! Widen it just by a meter and these ladies would walk safely. Vehicular flow wouldn’t be affected!
F21, Nehru Rd south of 7 Loves
Only 57% pedestrians walk on this footpath near 7 Loves. This FP also could have been wider by one more meter. Pedestrians must be given the space they need! Yet, if you are worried about ‘bechare vehicles’, the dirt line tells you how much space vehicles use!
F23, Shahu College Rd
A dead wall, parked vehicles, DP boxes create a claustrophobic realm for pedestrians. No wonder 49% peds were found using the carriageway of Shahu College Rd. Widen FP by a meter, remove parking. All peds will be on FP then, and traffic also will be smoother!
F24, Amrut Ganga near Ganga Bhagyoday
Barricades cut pedestrians off, and make the footpath feel unsafe, inconvenient. Only 56% pedestrians were found using this footpath at Amrut Ganga Society. Why do you need such barricades?
F26, Kharadi bypass opp Radisson
Pedestrians need to go up-n-down, but there’s huge space to park perpendicularly! Only 7% peds are on this ‘footpath’ opp Radisson, Kharadi. On the right, you can see the extent of the dirt line. There is ample scope to build a well designed JM-FC-like FP here.