International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 05 | May 2025
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
www.irjet.net
Exploring the current condition of footpaths: a case of Pune Meghana Malve1, Monika Sharma2 1,2 Assistant Professor, College of Architecture, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pune, Maharashtra,
India ---------------------------------------------------------------------***--------------------------------------------------------------------sustainable, eco-friendly mode of transport which does not Abstract - Footpaths are one of the essential infrastructures
require any fuel or maintenance. It helps reduce traffic congestion, noise pollution due to honking of vehicles, air pollution and is an important mode of transport without the need of any external resources. Walking when compared with other means of travel has advantages of being an environment friendly option to move from one place to another may it be for shopping, recreation, work, exercise, etc. (Iravani, Sohrabi, Gheitarani, & Dehghan, 2024).
for mobility but nowadays they are in a dilapidated condition. Walking on footpaths tests our patience and tolerance. It is a zero investment exercise associated with multiple health benefits. The easiest way to remain fit and active is by walking which is an environment friendly and sustainable mode of transport. Pedestrians have to put their lives in danger while walking on footpaths. If footpaths are not properly designed then people do not feel like using them and so they remain underutilized for the purpose they are designed but are encroached by other activities. It is seen that footpaths are given the least priority in the design of roads. People do not feel safe and comfortable while using them. For pedestrians the footpath has gone from bad to worse. There are a lot of obstructions for pedestrians to walk on the footpaths. These obstructions can be due to hawkers', encroachments, parking of vehicles, uneven surface and many more. This research paper gives the current condition of footpaths and the barriers to walking on them in three different places in Pune where they are of the utmost importance for pedestrians. The existing footpaths were observed to study the condition on various parameters. A qualitative approach was followed through visual observations and photo documentation for the study.
The footpaths many times are not pedestrian friendly due to a number of reasons. Walking on footpaths is like a dodging activity and an adventure sport. Pedestrians are not given any attention even though they are the real owners of the footpaths. They always have to risk their lives as they have to use the roads because the footpaths at many places are full of obstructions in some way or the other. Pedestrian facilities are not proper in place so people have to use the road making them highly vulnerable road users (BANERJEE & MAURYA, 2019). In many places footpaths just do not exist. This research paper explores the current condition of footpaths along with the barriers that they pose while using them.
2. ABOUT FOOTPATHS
Key Words: encroachments, footpaths, pedestrians,
Footpaths are a vital and integral component of any street that should essentially serve as a dedicated space exclusively for pedestrians and should be provided on both sides of the road for safe and easy flow of the people who walk on them. Footpaths are an essential element of the urban environment and are an indispensable mode of transport built by local government authorities for pedestrian movement (Mitraa, Debbarma, & Roy, 2020). They are not just linear passages to travel from one end to the other but they are also places for people to create a sense of bonding, interaction and are crucial public spaces that define the character of streets. There are lots of people who use footpaths during their daily commute for short or long distances. Footpath separates the pedestrian traffic from the vehicular traffic (Bohara & Tiwari, 2022).
Pune, walking
1. INTRODUCTION Footpath is a dedicated space provided along the street to be used by pedestrians only for uninterrupted walking. It is an integral part of any road system (Ahmed & Islam, 2020) and is a demarcated area so that people can easily walk on them comfortably without being hurt by the regular traffic that moves on the roads. The footpath should be easily and conveniently accessible and inclusive for all. For walking, footpaths are the basic requirements. Walking on footpaths is a fundamental right of every individual. Walking is a simple, universally accepted and the most popular form of exercise. It is a fitness activity that does not require any special equipment or training (Baobeid, Koc, & AlGhamdi, 2021) which has a number of benefits which include strength of bones, increase in cardiovascular fitness, burning calories, boosting energy, helping to build stamina and many more. It is an activity which can be performed by people of all age groups as it is cost free and easily available. Walking is an accessible, affordable (Bharucha, 2017) and a
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In the current scenario, footpaths test the patience of the users while using them. People have to face a number of hurdles that come in the way. This sometimes is so irritating and frustrating that people prefer to walk on roads rather than on the footpaths. By doing this the risk of accidents becomes more as they come in the way of the fast moving vehicular traffic on road. Many times pedestrians are exposed
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