Assessing Quality of the Pedestrian Environment for Differently Abled People within a Public Transport District of a City using the Pedestrian Environment Quality Index (PEQI)

This research delves into assessing the quality of the pedestrian environment within public transport districts for differently abled people. Public Transport Districts (PTD) are essential for cities to enhance mobility, reduce congestion, and promote sustainable transportation. However, the significance of these districts also lies in their need for meticulous planning and design of quality pedestrian environments that prioritize inclusivity and accommodate people with diverse abilities. The research underscores the oversight in many developing countries regarding the inclusion of people with disabilities in urban environments. As such, it is specifically centered on Pettah - a critical public transportation hub and a bustling economic centre in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This focus is driven by the research question: “How well does the current pedestrian environment facilitate differently abled individuals within the city’s public transport district?". Accordingly, the research utilizes the Pedestrian Environmental Quality Index (PEQI) as its primary evaluation tool to analyse the quality of the pedestrian environment. This involves an extensive analysis encompassing 33 intersections and 57 street segments. The outcomes reveal that 66.7% of intersections prove unsuitable, while 57.9% of street segments exhibit poor environmental conditions for differently abled individuals within the PTD. Leveraging Geographical Information Systems (GIS), the research also maps the PEQI attributes and scores, facilitating informed decisions to enhance pedestrian systems. These insights are invaluable for urban designers and policymakers to better understand the challenges faced by differently abled individuals within urban environments and pave the way for more inclusive cities in the future.