Evaluation of Sidewalk Performance Incorporating Continuous Pedestrian Movement: Delay-Based Pedestrian Level of Service Framework

Abstract

Pedestrian infrastructure is a critical component of sustainable urban transportation systems. Conventional pedestrian level of service (PLOS) methodologies, as adopted in the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) and Indo-HCM, primarily rely on free-flow pedestrian speed and assume uninterrupted movement along sidewalks. Such assumptions fail to capture real-world sidewalk conditions, particularly in mixed land-use urban environments where pedestrian movement is frequently disrupted by obstructions, encroachments, vehicular conflicts, and climatic conditions. This study develops a delay-sensitive PLOS framework based on the concept of continuous pedestrian movement (CpM). Using extensive field data collected from mixed land-use streets in Ernakulam, India, linear regression models quantify the impact of demographic characteristics, trip attributes, and delay-inducing factors on pedestrian walking speed. The derived delay factors are integrated into a modified travel-speed-based PLOS formulation compatible with HCM procedures. The proposed PLOS-CpM framework provides a more realistic and behaviorally grounded assessment of sidewalk performance, supporting improved pedestrian facility planning, design, and policy-making in complex urban contexts.