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Vol. 4, No. 1 | January - June 2020

Average Index Modelling of Campus Safety and Walkability:

Case Study of the University of Sindh

Irfan Ahmed Memon1 , Saima Kalwar1, Noman Sahito1, Sabeen Qureshi1, Noman

Memon1

Abstract:

A pedestrian-friendly area encourages the inhabitants to experience the place enjoyably on foot.

A pedestrian's sense of comfort is defined by the environmental qualities that encourage walking.

The city's environmental qualities also make them better for walking, encouraging both physical

and social activities. This Study focuses on safety and walkability in the University of Sindh.

According to a survey done by researchers at the University of Sindh, the important issue at the

university is lacking pedestrian facilities. Therefore, this study covers major facets of

walkability. It is envisioned for policymakers and planners who want to improve the walking

spaces for their communities with the best current information on pedestrian facilities. This

research identified basic details about the specific walking plans and project creation. It includes

trail preparation, roads, street lighting, street repairs, path and track repair, public protection,

personal security, etc. This research explores the improvement of university walkways to

accommodate pedestrians through the Average Index Model. Besides, the study presents

recommendations on the issue of pedestrian safety. Also, discusses how the University of

Sindh’s road network aspects and addresses how campus roadway system could include

sustainable transportation choices for inhabitants.

Keywords: Pedestrian safety; pedestrian walkability; average index model

1. Introduction

Universities around the world are
committed to providing their students and staff
with conducive living and learning
environments, so campus manipulators'
mobility is a problem that is faced by many
major universities and needs to tackle as part
of their environmental efforts on campuses.
Campus walkability is a significant
accessibility element of on-campus mobility.
Travelers need access to a network of routes
that are connected directly and easy to follow,
connecting the hostel, open fields, faculties,
public transit stops, and other amenities. Thus,

1Mehran University of Engineering & Technology, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan

Corresponding Author: irfan.ahmed@faculty.muet.edu.pk

it enhances their campus experience, focused
on health, safety, accessibility, enjoyment, and
learning [1, 2].

Walking is also correlated with other
benefits, varying from air quality control, road
congestion, and health problems such as
reducing obesity. It is also encouraging
neighborly interactions and a more
comfortable and healthy way to live in an
urban environment. There are enough
justifications on the association between the
built environment and walking [3, 4]. The key
aim when measuring walkability on a
university campus is to promote safe living,
reduce congestion, and sustainable alternative

Irfan Ahmed Memon (et al.), Average Index Modelling of Campus Safety and Walkability: Case Study of the University

of Sindh (pp. 37 - 44)

of mode choice. Walkability is the main
component of sustainable alternative mode
choice and offers societal advantages and
contributions to public wellbeing,
environmental prosperity, and preserving the
climate. A pedestrian-friendly environment
can decrease vehicle use and encourage
walking [1].

The University of Sindh, the oldest and the
largest university in Pakistan. The total
number of students is almost 35000 in 2020.
The total number of teachers is 800 and 65
Departments. There is insufficient space for
walking due to that accidents are common
inside the campus. Erstwhile, Sindh University
student died after being hit by campus
transport [5, 6]. Meanwhile, there is
unattractive roads, unsafe, and uncomfortable
environment. On the other hand, people use to
walk on the roads rather than pedestrians, it is
because of a lack of awareness. Therefore,
there is a need for the pedestrian in the
University of Sindh.

Therefore, this study identified the existing
condition of the campus for pedestrian
facilities and to evaluating a walkability aspect
i.e. its characteristics and potential.

2. Literature Review

2.1. Walkability

Walkability applies to the urban area that is
comfortable with a variety of activities [7].
Walkability is the degree of accessibility and
protection for pedestrians such as; lack of
casual observations, gaps between pedestrians
and automobiles as well as high-quality linked
footpaths [8].

The walkability is the degree to which
walking is readily accessible as a secure,
linked, affordable and fine form of
transportation. Walking can be a first-class
mode of travel if the surroundings provide the
quality of walking conditions, safety, remedy,
and convenience [9].

2.2. Connectivity and Accessibility

Connectivity and accessibility are
important courtesy to pedestrians [10].
Connectivity is about the easy movement from
origins to destinations and it is the key element

affecting the route assignment of pedestrians
[11].

To encourage human beings to wander
across the area, road networks need to be better
linked with appropriate sidewalks to a specific
holiday location. A well-planned road network
has streets that are well connected to other
mode choices. The streets also offer a variety
of facilities and spaces, a correct fine of paths,
sufficient walking distance, clear signs. The
drawing of the road provides artistic pastime
for the urban community. Both of these
considerations are important for ease of
walking [12].

Accessibility is an essential component of
walkability. A community is nice because
everyone can access public spaces. A regular
citizen can be impaired if connectivity is not
accessible. Simultaneously, either a user with
a wheelchair, a blind person, or an elderly is
not affected in an on-site situation. Street with
a frontage of parking makes pedestrians
difficult to get inside in any building or
structures it forces pedestrians to get involved
in the parking lot [3, 4].

2.3 Safety of Walking

Safety is one of the main factors for

walkability. Safe pedestrian environments

enable pedestrians to walk safely and reduces

incident or crime concern experiences. In

2005, Southworth believed that the

exceptional atmosphere of taking walks could

affect pedestrian intensity [12]. Pedestrian

complexity is needed to improve protection as

the places expand to be extra translucent. The

thing regarding pedestrian security and safety

is correlated with vehicle activity and crossing

visibility and protection. Good street network

virtually defines better walkability for the

pedestrian to create more comfortable and

safer circumstance.

Irfan Ahmed Memon (et al.), Average Index Modelling of Campus Safety and Walkability: Case Study of the University

of Sindh (pp. 37 - 44)

3. Methodology

This research investigated key issues

through various approaches and tools. The

survey participants posed closed-ended

questions concerning the following topics:

• walkability indicators (Sidewalk width,

Sidewalk Maintenance, Streetscape, Shading

Devices, etc.)

• Walking experience from their origin to

the faculties based on a scale as the need for

the indicators 5 (need) to 1 (no need)

indifferent aspects: safety, security, comfort,

convenience, and interestingness.

Conclusively, two major data collection

methods were used to obtain knowledge from

the identified field of research. These are

discussed as follows:

3.1. Primary Source

In this regard, the researcher selected the

Sindh University Jamshoro main campus as a

case study. From the primary source, the data

was collected through various techniques i.e.

quantitative method detailed survey,

questionnaire, personnel observation.

Moreover, the quantitative method was used

to get the detailed information regarding

pedestrian problems faced by people of the

study area.

3.1.1. Questionnaire

The requirement for analysis work has

generated a need for an effective method of

sample sizing to reflect a defined demographic

condition [13]. A new approach called "small

sample technique" published a formula for

exploring a sample size by the research

division of the National Education

Association [13]. By this approach, it shows

the connection between sample size and total

population. It should be recalled that as the

population grows the sample size will decline

and stay constant.

A sample size of 384 was chosen in this

survey out of the 33523 population. The

questionnaire was completely close-ended and

filled from respondents in the study area, i. e

Sindh University Jamshoro. The survey

questionnaire consisted of two separate

sections. The first section focused on personal

information from the respondents. The

second part was about research data which is

to be collected from the respondents about

pedestrian facilities and their interest in the

improvement of the pedestrian in the

university. A self-administered questionnaire

was filled from students from different

departments of the university This primary

data set helped the researcher to achieve the

objectives of the study.

3.1.2. Traffic and Pedestrian Count Survey

Traffic count is a count of vehicular or

pedestrian traffic. It is conducted along a

particular path or intersection. In this survey,

the researcher surveyed pedestrians and

vehicular traffic from the three different

locations of the University of Sindh Jamshoro.

As there were different main points for traffic

count that were selected such as; Main gate,

Central library (Zero-point), Hostel road. The

number of vehicles was collected on manual

sheets from 7:30 am to 8:30 am and peak

hours from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm. Traffic, as

well as pedestrian count, were done from all 3

points.

4. Average Index Model

The study applied the Average Index

model developed by Abd Majid and McCaffer

which provides means to verify the validity of

a criterion by the respondents [14, 15]. State

the expectations of the students and the

powerful physical-environmental factors.

Data analysis was carried out through content

analysis to assess the students' efficacy of

cycling and walking physical-environmental

variables and the person analysis on

encouraging students to do walking and

cycling.

Program processing tools were used for

data analysis and IBM SPSS was supported as

help applications for data interpretation and

performance categorization. Levels of the

significance of physical-environmental

variables for motivating students to bike and

Irfan Ahmed Memon (et al.), Average Index Modelling of Campus Safety and Walkability: Case Study of the University

of Sindh (pp. 37 - 44)

walk were tabled dependent on the number of

responses for every physical-environmental

attribute.

The average index was calculated based on

the frequency analyses to determine the

ranking of each factor to be considered. The

average index modeling is computed to

determine the following:

Average Index = (∑aixi)/(∑xi) (1)

Where, a = constant, weighing factor for i,

(i = 1, 2, 3.........n), Xi = frequency of

respondent. The classifications of the rating

scales are as follows to assess the degree of

significance of the constructability concepts

considered in this analysis:

Extremely effective 3.50 ≤ I ≤ 4.00 or 87.5 ≤ I ≤ 100

Very effective 2.50 ≤ I ≤ 3.50 or 62.5 ≤ I <87.5

Moderately effective 1.50 ≤ I ≤ 2.50 or 37.5 ≤ I < 62.5

Ineffective 0.50 ≤ I ≤ 1.50 or 12.5 ≤ I < 37.5

Extremely ineffective 0.00 ≤ I ≤ 0.50 or 0.00 ≤ I < 12.5

5. Results and Discussion

As researchers have analyzed the data by

using appropriate techniques according to the

nature of the study to get the most accurate and

reliable results. So, researchers have used

different techniques including traffic count

surveys, for measuring the volume of current

traffic as well as pedestrians. Descriptive

analysis, for analyzing the data in SPSS

frequency/percentage and creating graphs in

excel while the average index model was also

used as for analyzing the needs of different

elements in terms of safety and walkability in

the University of Sindh.

The traffic count survey is done in the

different timing in a day for taking the average

of the passing vehicles and pedestrians. In this

survey researchers have selected three

different points in the university of Sindh from

these points vehicles and pedestrians were

counted in peak hours from 7:30 am to 8:30

am and 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm for 3 days. Table

1 describes the traffic count survey on three

said road locations at the university. The total

number of vehicles from the main gate to

different points in university from 7:30 AM to

8:30 AM per hour is 1852.

Table 1. Peak hour traffic count from7:30

AM to 8:30 AM

Table 2 shows the traffic count survey on

the above-highlighted points of the campus.

The total number of vehicles from the main

gate to different points in university from 1:30

PM to 2: 30 PM per hour is 1212.

Table 2. Peak hour traffic count from 1:30

PM to 2:30 PM

Table 3 express the pedestrian count

survey at a different point in the University of

Sindh Jamshoro from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM,

so the number of pedestrians at the main gate

University of Sindh was larger than the other

selected points.

Date Points Time

No.

Vehicles

3/9/2019 CL (Zero

Point)

7:30 to

8: 30

504

4/9/2019 Main

Gate

7:30 to

8: 30

1121

5/9/2019 Hostel

Road

7:30 to

8: 30

227

Total 1852

Date Points Time

No.

Vehicles

3/9/2019 CL (Zero

Point)

1:30 to

2:30

302

4/9/2019 Main

Gate

1:30 to

2:30

720

5/9/2019 Hostel

Road

1:30 to

2:30

190

Total 1212

Irfan Ahmed Memon (et al.), Average Index Modelling of Campus Safety and Walkability: Case Study of the University

of Sindh (pp. 37 - 44)

Table 3. Peak hour pedestrian count from

7:30 AM to 8:30 AM

Table 4 represents the pedestrian count survey

at a different point in the campus at afternoon

peak hours from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM, so the

number of pedestrians at the central library the

University of Sindh was greater than the other

selected points.

Table 4. Peak hour traffic count from 1:30

PM to 2:30 PM

The researcher has conducted a descriptive

analysis of 384 responses by percentage and

frequency, the result shows in the data tables

and different graphs for understanding the

overall scenario of responses for the

improvement of pedestrians in the University

of Sindh Jamshoro. The number of

respondents was 384, so n=384.

The average duration of walking per day,

as 50.5% people walk one hour per day, 42.7%

walk 2-3 hours per day,22% people walk 4-5

hours per day, and 4% people walk 6 or more

than 6 hours per day. The result shows that

most people walk one hour per day as shown

in Figure 1.

Fig. 1. Duration of walking per day

According to survey it was identified that

different sort of barriers was faced by students

while walking, according to 14.6 % students

too far distance is a barrier in walking, 40.9%

roadside condition is the main barrier,15.4%

students harsh weather condition is the main

barrier in walking and according to 29.2%,

unavailability of the footpath is the barrier.

Most of the students consider roadside walk

conditions as the main barrier in walking as

discussed in Figure 2.

Fig. 2. Duration of walking per day

Likert scale 2.50 average total points mean

there is satisfaction condition. If the value

increases more than 2.50 it means, there is a

need for that factor /there is a problem. If the

Date Points Time

No.

Vehicles

18/9/2019 CL

(Zero

Point)

7:30 to

8: 30

523

19/9/2019 Main

Gate

7:30 to

8: 30

776

20/9/2019 Hostel

Road

7:30 to

8: 30

223

Total 1522

Date Points Time

No.

Vehicles

18/9/2019 CL

(Zero

Point)

1:30 to

2:30

720

19/9/2019 Main

Gate

1:30 to

2:30

320

20/9/2019 Hostel

Road

1:30 to

2:30

Total 1111

Irfan Ahmed Memon (et al.), Average Index Modelling of Campus Safety and Walkability: Case Study of the University

of Sindh (pp. 37 - 44)

A.T.P (Average Total points) decrease less

than 2.50 it means, there is no need for that

factor/there is no problem.

Simultaneously, Average Point Index analysis

in Table 5 shows the overall average

satisfaction of university student about the

factors which are mentioned below.

Furthermore, the findings of Average

Index Analysis concluded that the most

needed elements which scored as, Personal

safety (fencing between roads and footpath)

4.09, Shade 4.25, Garbage cans/ Recycling

4.11and remaining elements. According to the

survey, the majority walk around an hour per

day. From the Analysis Students always walk

with their friends on the pedestrian.

Table 5. Walkability elements average index modeling through Likert scale

Likert scale Strongly

Agree

Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly

Disagree

TP/N ATP

Points 5 4 3 2 1

Picnic tables/Benches 122 150 54 30 28 1460//384 3.80

Personal safety

(fencing between

roads and footpath)

132 133 41 47 31 1573/384 4.09

Shade 114 165 51 31 23 1633/384 4.25

Garbage cans/

Recycling

130 130 63 33 29 1582/384 4.11

Ramps and curbs 122 160 67 20 15 1506/384 3.92

Sign and road markers 119 135 52 43 35 1412/384 3.67

Gardens/flower beds 110 98 76 60 40 1330/384 3.46

Green space/ Nature /

Scenery

125 111 55 58 35 1385/384 3.60

Access to washroom 136 132 46 43 27 1459/384 3.799

Playgrounds 90 74 131 40 49 1268/384 3.30

Side walks 145 115 70 33 21 1482/384 3.85

The survey result shows that roadside

walking condition is the main barrier for

cyclists and for pedestrian, absence of

sidewalks in many areas of the University of

Sindh forces the pedestrian to walk on the road

which results in a pedestrian crash.

Consequently, the direct observation existing

sidewalks are uneven, unpaved and some are

covered with tall grasses due to poor

maintenance. Like the survey, the result shows

that people depend on university buses as

compare to pedestrians and people don’t feel

safe at peak hours. From the analysis, it has

been evaluated that most of the residents live

inside the campus i.e hostels. It was also found

that major factor for road accident is poor

enforcement by law and over speeding.
According to the survey sufficient number

of signboards, speed breakers, road marking
are not available, this item of aesthetic on

Irfan Ahmed Memon (et al.), Average Index Modelling of Campus Safety and Walkability: Case Study of the University

of Sindh (pp. 37 - 44)

roadways which help to direct the flow and
direction of traffic need to be obeyed by road
users, they could be in the form of solid white
lines used to indicate parking, pedestrian,
bicycle lanes and other features.

A survey result shows that pedestrian
safety is the responsibility of university
administration, so the university should take
measures to enhance the walkways and
footpaths, so people prefer walking instead of
using an automobile.

6. Conclusion

The research here indicates the

pedestrian’s safety and walkability in the

University of Sindh Jamshoro. The purpose of

the research is to full fill the needs of the

pedestrians and proposing the pedestrian in

the university of Sindh Jamshoro. The data

were collected from all students and staff of

the university. Different techniques were used

to analyze the data including the average index

model, in the result that shows, there is a need

for walkways, shades, ramps and curbs,

garbage cans. A traffic count survey was done

for knowing the volume of traffic as well as

pedestrians at different points. Most of the

pedestrians were facing problems while

walking as they had to use roads for walking

due to lack of walkways beside the roads on

the campus. Descriptive analysis was also

done, as a result, pedestrians were facing

barriers while walking including, maintenance

of walkways, unavailability of footpaths, too

far distance, lack of shades on walkways, etc.

Policy and investments provide

momentum to renovate public universities,

encourage pedestrianization and allow people

to enjoy better mobility and quality of life, so

there must be valid and authentic policies for

the improvement of the pedestrian at the

University of Sindh Jamshoro.

The Administration of the University of

Sindh Jamshoro must be involved in the

development/improvement of the pedestrian

under planning rules and pedestrian standards.

Pedestrians' walkability and safety can be

achieved by developing pedestrian services

including sidewalks, shades, landscaping,

Signboards, road marking, Ramps and curbs,

Garbage cans, etc.

Traffic Rules must be imposed on vehicles

that are violating the laws. Sindh university

must possess multi/short, and long walkways

between different departments for the

encouragement of people’s interest towards

pedestrians.

Develop crosswalk marking in the

university for providing easiness for

pedestrians to cross the roads inside the

university. Decrease crosswalk distance. In

the case of pedestrian safety, there must be the

installation of pedestrian lights and fencing on

footpaths.

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