Improving Pedestrian Access to Transit: An Advocacy Handbook

Author(s):

WalkBoston, Metropolitan Area Planning Council of Boston

Organization:

WalkBoston

Publisher/Date:

WalkBoston, Metropolitan Area Planning Council of Boston, 1998

Rating:

Useful

Abstract:

This handbook is written for "ordinary citizens" as well as activists. It contains personal case studies that detail advocacy techniques and strategies, as well as failures and setbacks. It looks at several transit modes in different economic and geographic communities, and discusses elements of successful advocacy.

Using examples, the book is very clear on the complexities of community process and coalition-building, recognizing that often "Conflict and community process are sometimes the same thing." In advocacy outreach to community people, it encourages the use of elders as the center of advocacy work. They often are the ones most hampered by poor design, and their deaths have often prompted changes applicable for all pedestrians.

The book includes recommended street design guidelines. Examples include minimum 8-foot sidewalks in addition to a “furnishings zone” for town centers; speed tables as especially good for persons with disabilities.

WalkBoston, the first “pedestrian advocacy” organization of its kind in the country, has been influential in the creation of pedestrian advocacy groups around the U.S. It is this position of influence that makes this handbook so relevant. Since the time of this publication, advocacy work has convinced the organization to not treat the design recommendations for people with disabilities as separate “special needs,” and to understand that accessible design is good design for everyone.