The AGRD Part 4A discusses an ‘average walking speed of 1.2 m/s’ and further acknowledges that ‘there are pedestrians who may walk at different rates and designers need to consider the types of pedestrians and their likely walking speeds’.
The TMR supplement expands on this statement and details different walking speeds depending on pedestrian demographics.
The risk in applying averages is generating a stereotype and failing to meet the needs of people who fall outside this specified profile. A more conservative approach would of course be applying universal design principles and adopting minimum walking speeds. What’s your experience in this space – is the average walking speed still useful?
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Cartoon Source: AITPM Pedestrian Modelling Guidelines (edited)
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