5P: Physical Projects
Physical projects are strategies to directly impact built environments, removing barriers to physical activity and enhance safety (e.g. trails, pedestrian improvements at intersections). While the built environment is heavily determined by public policies, active living partnerships should also look for opportunities to improve physical spaces that do not rely on a policy decision per se. Physical projects include a wide range of sizes from community trails to sidewalks to signage pointing out active living opportunities on taking the stairs.
5P Case Studies
- The goal of the project was to convert the Capital Crescent Trail, once a railroad bed, into a paved trail suitable for walking, bicycling, jogging and rollerblading, and to link the trail to areas of interest.
- Create a network of bicycle paths that makes bicycling a reliable and consistent form of transportation.
- Program Goals: (1) To encourage bicycle commuting, while decreasing the number of bicycles on the train. (2) To create an environment that encourages people to rent bicycles to travel around Palo Alto. (3) To increase bicycle vehicle trips within Palo Alto, California.
- Create an attractive public gathering place by using artistic features intended to foster a sense of community.
- This two-part report on pedestrian accessibility was produced for Federal Highway Administration by Beneficial Designs, Inc. Part 1, Review of Existing Guidelines and Practices, lays out the history and the practices of applying accessibility concepts to sidewalks and pedestrian trails. Part 2, Best Practices Design Guide, provides recommendations on how to design sidewalks, street crossings, intersections, shared use paths, and recreational pedestrian trails.
- It describes Collaboration Math, a tool developed to help individuals and groups representing different disciplines, organizations or constituencies work together effectively. This practical tool was designed to make key differences and similarities within groups explicit, so that they are more likely to succeed in the challenging work of building and sustaining collaborations.
