Seattle updated their Master Plan in July of 2016 and their vision is to make Seattle "the most walkable and accessible city in the nation.” Already, Seattle is recognized as one of the nation’s safest and most accessible cities for pedestrians. It is tied for the second-lowest pedestrian fatality rate in the country and is ranked 5th in the country for the percentage of people who commute to work by foot.
In their updated plan, they had objectives in place to achieve their goals such as reduce the number and severity of crashes involving pedestrians, develop a connected pedestrian environment that sustains healthy communities and supports a vibrant economy, and get more people moving to improve health and increase mobility. They made a clear walkable zone which is a horizontal and vertical space that is free of obstructions and other potential hazards. In addition, they encouraged pedestrian movement by providing improvements such as curb ramps, landscape buffers, natural drainage features, and streetscape elements such as street furniture and lighting that help create friendly pedestrian environments. They also plan to raise awareness of the important role of pedestrian movement for transportation, recreation, and in promoting health and preventing disease.
http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/pedMasterPlan.htm
This is a super interesting read. I had no idea Seattle was so big on pedestrians! Great job
ReplyDeleteThis is terrific news - Seattle is fairly walkable, but there are many areas that would benefit from significant improvement. For example, I adore Pike's Place, but I have no idea how anyone with difficulty walking could navigate the area - there are like 500 stair steps to get from the piers to the market. Making areas more walk-able, but also just more accessible for all, including children and those in wheelchairs would be wonderful. And this is a rich area - other areas a much worse off.
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