Pedestrian Plan#
The 2022 Active Modes Plan is the currently adopted pedestrian plan for the City of Fort Collins. The plan incorporates not only pedestrians, but also bicycles and micromobility devices such as skateboards and scooters. Click here to check out the Active Modes Plan.
The Pedestrian Needs Assessment priorities sidewalk and ADA improvements. Click here to check out the Pedestrian Needs Assessment.
Introduction#
Did you know Fort Collins has a Pedestrian Plan?
First developed in 1996, the Pedestrian Plan addresses citywide pedestrian needs like gaps in the sidewalk, safer ways to cross the street and better ramps at street corners. This update to the Pedestrian Plan is part of the Plan Fort Collins efforts to update City Plan and the Transportation Master Plan, and we would love to hear from you.
What is a Pedestrian Plan and why is it important?
The Pedestrian Plan outlines issues and proposes solutions to problems for pedestrians; the ultimate goal being adequate and safe pedestrian travel for our community. The Pedestrian Plan summarizes these findings and acts as a guide as our community grows and changes. This effort will also update and prioritize a list of pedestrian improvement projects and explore potential funding options.
Part of The Plan Fort Collins 2011 Update#
The updated Pedestrian Plan outlines issues and proposes solutions to problems for pedestrians; the ultimate goal is to create safe, easy, and convenient pedestrian travel for all members of our community.
Pedestrian Level of Service
The City of Fort Collins has level of service (LOS) standards for each travel mode including motor vehicle, public transit, bicycle, and pedestrian. As part of the 2010-11 update to the Pedestrian Plan, the Pedestrian Level of Service was evaluated to ensure that it still meets the needs of the City of Fort Collins. After evaluating the Pedestrian LOS against several other Pedestrian LOS methodologies, City staff determined that the majority of the existing Pedestrian LOS is still relevant and will continue to be used. The sections of the Pedestrian LOS that relate to unsignalized and mid-block crossings are being updated to more accurately reflect the City’s strategies for implementing these types of crossings. The Pedestrian LOS will retain the five criteria that were previously developed. These areas are:
1) Directness
2) Continuity
3) Street Crossings (Signalized only)
4) Visual Interest and Amenity
5) Security
Crosswalk Identification Policy
A treatment-identification policy was crafted as part of the Pedestrian Plan. Based on research from the National Cooperative Highway Research Program and Federal Highway Administration, among other best practice documents, the policy provides guidance about the type of treatments appropriate on various streets and under various conditions. Preferred and enhanced options are provided for signalized locations, stop-controlled locations, and uncontrolled locations. While the strategies reflect best practices and local priorities, the guidance is not meant to replace engineering judgment. Each situation is unique and pedestrian safety improvements must be selected on a case-by-case basis. Potential education and enforcement strategies are also included to complement the engineering strategies and provide a comprehensive approach to improving pedestrian safety in Fort Collins. The policy uses simple inputs from a field survey such as number of lanes, posted speed, and average daily traffic, to provide a candidate crosswalk treatment at mid-block and uncontrolled locations.
Pedestrian Priority Areas
As part of the 2010-2011 Pedestrian Plan update, the Pedestrian Priority Areas (PPA) was updated to reflect changes to the original map developed in the 1996 Pedestrian Plan document. This updated PPA map incorporates layers from the 1996 Plan map, the Plan Fort Collins Targeted Infill and Redevelopment Areas map, City Plan Structure Plan map, Master Street Plan Overlay map, and the Pedestrian Demand Index map. The Pedestrian Priority Areas map is used for applying the LOS standards to different locations in the City. There is one set of LOS measurements for all pedestrian facilities. However, acceptable LOS thresholds vary by type of activity area. It would not be logical to require the same LOS standards everywhere. As an example, the needs and standards for a downtown area which is highly pedestrian-dependent, is significantly different in character and need than an outlying industrial area. Therefore the Pedestrian Facilities Plan was developed to identify the existing and anticipated pedestrian activity areas from which to assign LOS Standards. There are five pedestrian activity areas defined on the map.