Datasets and tools

Building an evidence base through good data and using an appropriate tool for the scale and complexity of what is being considered are important aspects of best practice planning for walking.

Scales of delivery

Three scales of delivery are helpful to consider in terms of planning for walking. These are:

• The town/city scale – planning for growth by better integrating transport modes that are linked with walking trips.
• The neighbourhood and local scale – planning for walking as part of area wide initiatives so that people can access local amenities, town centres and employment areas by walking. New developments should be designed so that active travel is a safe and convenient choice.
• The street / local place scale – designing high quality pedestrian environments with sufficient space allocated for lingering as well as travelling through, taking into account the street function.

The following table outlines the range of datasets and tools that could be employed across different spatial scales. The table is inspired by the Planning for Walking Toolkit which provides further guidance on planning and design tools for walking.

Planning for Walking Toolkit (Transport for London, 2020)(external link)

Table: Datasets and tools that can inform planning for walking at different scales 

Notes:

• Injury data from the Ministry of Health or ACC may be more representative of all pedestrian incidents occuring on the transport network (compared with CAS data), however it is likely to lack detail on where the incidents occurred. Hence, this data is helpful at an aggregate level over a large area (ie town/city scale analysis). ACC datasets can be searched or requested from the Government’s data website.
  See ACC Datasets(external link)
• Neighbourhood scale mapping and analysis means mapping land uses and trip attractors within a walkable catchment of a centre. Locating cycle routes and bus stops/railway stations can be useful for identifying where walking trips are likely to start and finish as well as identifying opportunities and constraints. Severance and barriers to walking such as rail routes, topography, lack of crossing facilities should also be identified.
• Walk time analysis means comparing the actual walking route length with the straight line distance between two key destinations. The difference in walking time can then be calculated using a walking speed (eg 1.1m/s).One Network Framework.

One Network Framework

The One Network Framework (ONF), an evolution of the One Network Road Classification (ONRC) is a core element of the land transport management system used to provide a consistent classification system for a wide range of planning processes.  The ONF is based on Street categories within Movement and Place matrices. Further information on the ONF is available.

One Network Framework

Walking mode classification

As well as street categories, mode classifications have been developed. This allows each modal network to be considered on its own, as well as part of the overall movement function of the corridor. ONF will consider both the current and future modal networks. Refer to the Mode classification section of the One Network Framework classification guidance for information on the current walking mode classifications. In due course the ‘future network planning process’ will support the classification of the future modal layers, including that of walking. Details of the future network planning process can be found on the ONF future network planning information page.

ONF Classification Guidance [PDF, 4.7 MB]

ONF Future network planning