Optimizing a Pedestrian Level of Service Analysis in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA

Abstract

Urban areas across the United States have seen an increase in transportation methods beyond the private automobile. Cities such as Minneapolis, Denver, and Charlotte have added or expanded light rail transit, bike lanes, and pedestrian infrastructure to increase the accessibility to alternate transportation methods. This research aims to conduct a level of service analysis to determine the condition of a pedestrian network in Oklahoma City, OK. In the context of transportation planning, level of service (LOS) analyses are a way to describe how well a transportation facility accommodates the users of that transportation network. A pedestrian LOS analysis has been completed for elementary school children traveling to and from school in the Putnam City School District, a predominantly suburban area of Oklahoma City, OK. Preliminary LOS results indicate the locations of moderate to poor pedestrian facilities in a majority of the locations where students have the potential to walk to school. Future studies can use the results of this pedestrian LOS analysis to site high impact locations for pedestrian network improvements.