Sidewalk Service Index (ISC)

Abstract The service offered by the pedestrian circulation infrastructure must meet local demand, providing comfort and safety to its users. This issue is particularly important in small towns, where, due to the lack of public transport and the short distances, walking is the basis of urban mobility. The aim of this research study was to propose method of evaluation of the Level-of-Service (LoS) of sidewalks in small urban centers, aiming to provide a technical resource to the management of these spaces by Municipalities. The model developed and applied in São Tomé, Paraná, Brazil, was called the Sidewalks Service Index (ISC in Portuguese), consisting of two indices that involve aspects of Space Quality and Accessibility (ISCqe and ISCa in Portuguese). The method involved three steps: technical analysis of the sidewalks (570 stretches), verification of users’ perceptions by means of opinion polls (355 citizens) and assignment of Service Levels, varying from A to F (worst situation), according to results of the indices. There was a higher occurrence of LoS F, mainly in the peripheral urban areas. The most adequate Levels-of-Service (LoS A to D) were assigned to 34.91% of the stretches. The proposed model presented adequate applicability to small towns, with adaptations possible for use in larger centers.