Streetscape risk profiles resulting from COVID-19 challenges

Combinations of the challenges described above suggest four different risk profiles, each with a set of strategies to respond.

NOTE: a risk factor common in each of the profiles discussed below is pedestrians, people waiting, or cyclists moving into traffic lanes where vehicles are travelling in excess of 30km/h. Sites that will most urgently require a response will be where this conflict is most acute and safety concerns are obvious.

1. Congested spaces

Congested footpath, bicycle or micro-mobility traffic and vehicles travelling at speeds in excess of 30km/h.

This risk profile could exist in places popular for exercise and near arterial routes, eg, roads or streets near coastal areas or urban parks popular with joggers and walkers. Constrained footpath space means users may step into traffic lanes to pass one another.

Possible responses:

• Enable safer pedestrian movement
• Signage
• Restrict traffic speed
• Close streets

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2. Busy waiting spaces

Groups of people waiting outside essential or safe services and vehicles travelling at speeds in excess of 30km/h.

These are locations of low pedestrian activity, but heavy use by customers of essential or safe services fronting onto the footpath. Examples may include footpath areas outside banks or pharmacies in town centres. Constrained footpath space means waiting customers may step into the two metre physical distancing space or onto the road where lanes carry vehicle traffic.

Possible responses:

• Create safer waiting places
• Signage
• Restrict traffic speed
• Close streets

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3. Busy waiting spaces

Busy waiting spaces with people gathering outside essential or safe services, with heavy pedestrian and/or cycle traffic and vehicles travelling at speeds in excess of 30km/h.

Locations that might present this risk profile include town centres on arterial routes. Constrained space means people waiting and/or moving along the footpath need to either move into the two metre physical distancing space or into lanes carrying vehicle traffic .

Possible responses:

• Enable safer pedestrian movement
• Create safer waiting places
• Signage
• Restrict traffic speed
• Close streets

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4. Disconnected safe cycling corridor

Disconnected safe cycling corridors that require cyclists to temporarily move into traffic lanes carrying vehicles travelling at speeds in excess of 30km/h.

This risk profile might exist where cyclists need to travel from low-speed suburban streets to existing cycleway infrastructure, via arterial roads with no separation between bicycles and cars.

Possible responses:

• Connect cycle routes
• Signage

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