PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES USING SERVICE LEVEL BENCHMARK

Abstract

To facilitate evidence-based planning and ensure accountability, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has introduced Service Level Benchmarks (SLBs) for urban services. These SLBs provide a set of measurable indicators designed to assess the quality of infrastructure services from the perspective of the end-user. For pedestrian facilities, the SLBs focus on a range of critical parameters, including footpath coverage, continuity, width adequacy, the provision of safe crossing facilities, appropriate lighting, universal accessibility, and the overall Pedestrian Level of Service (LOS). This performance-based approach enables an objective evaluation and comparison of pedestrian infrastructure across diverse urban contexts, allowing cities to identify specific areas for improvement and prioritize strategic investments. Bharatpur, a tier-2 historic city located in Rajasthan, exemplifies a context with high pedestrian dependence. Its compact urban form, mixed land use patterns, and limited public transport options naturally lead to a significant reliance on walking. Atal Path, a key urban corridor within Bharatpur, has been developed with the explicit intention of improving street conditions. Nevertheless, the actual performance of pedestrian facilities along this corridor, particularly concerning safety, accessibility, and comfort, necessitates a systematic and rigorous evaluation. This study directly addresses this need by applying the established SLB and LOS frameworks to comprehensively assess the existing pedestrian infrastructure along Atal Path, thereby identifying the discrepancies between planned provisions and the on-ground reality.