Assessing and Improving Pedestrian Level of Service at a University Campus in Babylon, Iraq

Pedestrians are one of the essential parts of the transportation system. In order to encourage walking and reduce the use of personal vehicles, pedestrian’s facilities need to be provided in the campus since they are facing many problems. Pedestrian’s level of service (LOS) is the common approach to estimate the quality of pedestrian facilities. The highway capacity manual (HCM) defines six Pedestrians (LOS) namely LOS A, B, C, D, E and F, where A shows high Levels of comfort and capacity, while F represents a poor level of comfort and capacity. Reconnaissance and Field survey measurement was done to collect and study the pedestrians and sidewalks characteristic by using video camera and Measuring tape. Walking speed also was studied to find the speed at which pedestrians appear in term of (15th, 50th, 85th, 98th) percentile speed. The study showed that LOS for study areas ranges between (B) to (E) also it was observed that pedestrians used the roadway in moving which indicate the inefficiency of sidewalk capacity. As the accident in front of university gates increased during crossing, the study suggested (4) alternatives facilities for pedestrians crossing which are: stairways, escalator, ramps and underpasses.