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Analysis Using the Pedestrian Master Plan Analysis to Define Projects
The maps on the following pages are the result of this analysis. The maps and the data are meant to be real-world, practical tools to inform decision making on a day-to-day basis and help to prioritize pedestrian projects in the short term. If the City of Seattle can only afford to build or improve a certain number of sidewalks or curb ramps each year, which ones should be built first? This analysis is also designed to help the City make long-term decisions by informing the process of selecting and programming projects. The goal is to create the tools to identify projects that serve people with the greatest needs. The maps and data can help the City pursue future funding opportunities, while also enabling it to make focused and effective decisions if funding unexpectedly becomes available and projects need to be identified quickly. It is equally applicable in times when budgets are constrained, as the City is asked to do more with less. As new data become available, they can be incorporated into the framework for prioritizing projects identified in this plan. The elements of the prioritization—vibrancy, equity, and corridor function—combine to help identify high priority areas. Detailed information about the prioritization is available in Project Prioritization. |
The plan places a high value on data to inform how decisions are made about the projects and programs that can improve and sustain walking in Seattle. To begin, the project team collected, compiled, and analyzed data related to the plan goals of safety, equity, vibrancy, and health. The analysis addressed both the quality of the pedestrian environment and anticipated pedestrian activity levels; it is meant to focus resources in areas where conditions are difficult and where people need to be able to walk the most. The analysis also considers socioeconomic and health factors, such as lower rates of automobile ownership and higher rates of diabetes and obesity.
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