Treatment of Pedestrian and Non-Motorised Traffic
Pedestrians and Non-Motorized Traffic vehicles (NMTs) are part of the complete transport scene and in some cases form a very important aspect of that scene. As with the motorized sector of the transport market, this sector will experience positive and negative impacts as a consequence of a transport investment and the sector therefore needs to be included within the appraisal of that investment. Wheeled NMTs (e.g. bicycles and rickshaws) can experience benefits as smoother roads reduce operating costs and journey times, whether that be in an urban or rural environment. New roads and smoother roads can also lead to mode switching from pedestrian modes to either wheeled NMTs or motorized vehicles, giving both journey time and operating cost savings. An increase in the speed of traffic on an upgraded road may result in an increase in the seriousness of road accidents (i.e. an increase in the average number of fatalities per accident), with pedestrians and NMTs being the vulnerable road user groups. In some situations increases in capacity of urban intersections or urban arterials (e.g. construction of an urban motorway or freeway) may reduce the amount of road space available for NMTs thereby imposing costs (both travel time and operating costs) on that road user group. As with motorized transport, pedestrians and NMTs may benefit from a transport investment through operating cost savings, travel time savings, and accident and safety impacts. The inclusion of benefits to pedestrians and NMTs can form a significant proportion of the total scheme benefits for investments such as low volume rural roads.
| Summary: | Pedestrians and Non-Motorized Traffic
vehicles (NMTs) are part of the complete transport scene and
in some cases form a very important aspect of that scene. As
with the motorized sector of the transport market, this
sector will experience positive and negative impacts as a
consequence of a transport investment and the sector
therefore needs to be included within the appraisal of that
investment. Wheeled NMTs (e.g. bicycles and rickshaws) can
experience benefits as smoother roads reduce operating costs
and journey times, whether that be in an urban or rural
environment. New roads and smoother roads can also lead to
mode switching from pedestrian modes to either wheeled NMTs
or motorized vehicles, giving both journey time and
operating cost savings. An increase in the speed of traffic
on an upgraded road may result in an increase in the
seriousness of road accidents (i.e. an increase in the
average number of fatalities per accident), with pedestrians
and NMTs being the vulnerable road user groups. In some
situations increases in capacity of urban intersections or
urban arterials (e.g. construction of an urban motorway or
freeway) may reduce the amount of road space available for
NMTs thereby imposing costs (both travel time and operating
costs) on that road user group. As with motorized transport,
pedestrians and NMTs may benefit from a transport investment
through operating cost savings, travel time savings, and
accident and safety impacts. The inclusion of benefits to
pedestrians and NMTs can form a significant proportion of
the total scheme benefits for investments such as low volume
rural roads. |
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