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Introductory techniques
View an image of a familiar local crossroads or stretch of road and ask pupils to discuss whether this is a safe place to move around for pedestrians.
In small groups, list the features helping make it safe as well as what is missing or could be added. Dropping down in to Google Street View is a good alternative to a photo.
Assessing risk
Conduct a pedestrian friendliness survey for three locations within the local area and compare findings.
The statements listed in the table can easily be adapted as can the scoring system.
Pupils should work in small groups in the field to decide on the score that they would give each of the criteria in each of the three locations. They could either colour code each location to mark on one table, or use three separate tables, one for each location.
Once they have scored each criteria, they can calculate the total score for the location by adding up all of the criteria scores. The higher the score, the more pedestrian friendly the location.
Name/ location of site |
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Feature | -2 to +2 | ||
Continuous pavement (on both sides of the road) |
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Wide pavements (two people can freely pass each other) |
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Clear curb edge separating the pavement and road |
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Clear and safe crossing points (zebra and pelican crossings) |
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Vehicle speed restricted to 20mph or 30mph |
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Car free areas (pedestrianised areas) |
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Road refuges (such as islands in the centre of wide roads) |
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Benches and rest stop points |
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Well-lit streets / pathways at night |
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Pedestrian-specific |
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Barriers and/or railings between road and |
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Possible questions to explore:
- Which location is the most pedestrian friendly? Why?
- How could each site by improved to make it safer?
- What aspects of a street environment might be dangerous?
- What features in the landscape help keep us safe?
- Should there be more / less safety features on the streets around our school?
The Geographical Association (GA) has worked closely with the Field Studies Council (FSC) to develop these resources.
