In the UAF all types of shared space, locations where vehicles and pedestrian can come into conflict, are simple to model.
Demonstrate the Need, Quantify the Benefits
The UAF can be used to determine if there is the need to provide a new crossing facility by evaluating delays to pedestrians, probability of conflict between vehicles and pedestrians and the queuing / packing pedestrians are subjected to while they wait to find a suitable opportunist crossing gap.
If the need for a dedicated crossing facility is proved the UAF can also be also be used to evaluate how different types of crossing and different Walk / Don’t Walk times affect traffic flows resulting in longer queues and more delays to drivers. The UAF can be used to perform balanced urban space design where the needs and quality of service provided to both vehicular and pedestrian users are evaluated in tandem.
Simple to Model
Un-signalised pedestrian crossings can be modelled using a combination of shared and vehicle aware space. Depending on the type of crossing, different types of shared space can be used to make vehicles yield to agents waiting to cross or to aggressively move through the shared space interacting with agents.
Signalised pedestrian crossings can be modelled using combinations of shared and vehicle aware space as above but additional control can be added using blocking regions connected to selected phases of signalised intersections. A typical example of an interrupted right turn would use aggressive shared space and blocking regions tied to either a fixed or call on demand phase at the signalised intersection.
UAF Technical Brochure
More detailed information about the Urban Analytics Framework is available in PDF format, downloadable and free to distribute.
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