Nicholas,
While I don't have a 'scoring system' for this sort of process I would look at continuity and feeds. Making footpath a continuous link thereby filling in the gaps of the network while looking at the feeders or more importantly the destinations or traffic generators. People usually walk to a bus stop but drive to shops. What is council policy regarding allowance for footpath, one side of road, both sides of road, shared networks? This should not be a problem with new subdivisions if the developer is doing the work I guess your problem is linking their work to your network.
At a TAFE many years ago I observed that no footpaths were built in the first year and an analysis of where students walked evidenced by the path they trod became the footpaths. You could look at where evidence of foot traffic exists and footpaths don't. As for prioritising, you need to look at the traffic, no good building a footpath every one wants but no one uses. Traffic counting people may not be successful! Staged development might be an option where one side of a road is done and if demand is there the other side gets done.
I don't think there is a simple answer here as politics will no doubt interfere with good science. You need a clear strategic plan or policy as to why you need footpaths and what they will do before you look at the tactical problems of where to build them. Not everything in life can be reduced to metrics.
good luck.
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Ashley Bishop
Asset Management Officer
Benalla Rural City Council
BENALLA VIC
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Original Message:
Sent: 27-08-2013 23:25
From: Nicholas Green
Subject: Footpath Scoring System
Good Afternoon Chris & Wayne.
Sorry for the misconception but what I was referring to is rather scoring of future footpath projects and the prioritizing behind determining the need for footpaths, as opposed to the condition assessment scoring of current footpaths, i.e. what volumes of foot traffic would we expect to use this footpath? What benefits are foreseeable if a certain footpath was introduced etc. Then referencing this with other options to then determine priorities.
Thanks.
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Nicholas Green
Graduate Planning Engineer
Bittern VIC
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Original Message:
Sent: 26-08-2013 06:27
From: Nicholas Green
Subject: Footpath Scoring System
Good Evening All,
I'm Nicholas Green, A Graduate Planning Engineer at Baw Baw Shire Council. I've been directed here from Kurt Pitts my wonderful team leader. At the moment I've just taken over our Footpath Request & Scoring System. We are looking to overhaul the way in which we score our footpaths in order to determine priorities for future works etc efficiently. Kurt suggested that this forum would be a great place to start.
Obviously there is no need to reinvent the wheel here, so I have made my first post on here to ask what other Engineers in similar positions have done. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks All,
[IPWEA CEO Note: Nicholas, check out the IPWEA Practice Note on Condition Assessment of Footpaths & Cycleways at www.ipwea.org/PracticeNotes.]
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Nicholas Green
Bittern VIC
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