Improving Pedestrian Facilities to Support Public Mobility in Bengkulu City

Abstract

A Pedestrian facilities are a crucial component in realizing a safe, comfortable, and sustainable urban transportation system. However, the condition of pedestrian facilities in Bengkulu City still faces various problems that reduce the level of safety, comfort, and accessibility for users. These problems include damaged sidewalks, sidewalk use by street vendors and vehicle parking, and limited supporting facilities for pedestrians. This study aims to identify the existing condition of pedestrian facilities, analyze the level of accessibility, and propose a safe pedestrian facility design in accordance with Circular Letter Number 18/SE/Db/2023 concerning Guidelines for Technical Planning of Pedestrian Facilities. The study was conducted on six main roads in Bengkulu City using a mixed method through pedestrian interviews, Level of Service analysis, and Walkability Index calculations. The results showed that the condition of pedestrian facilities experienced 446.5 meters of damaged sidewalks and obstacles that reduced the effective width of pedestrian paths. The LOS analysis showed that several road sections were at level F of service, reflecting limited space for pedestrian movement. Meanwhile, the Walkability Index value on all road sections was in the inadequate category with a value range of 30.61– 49.11. Based on these results, it is necessary to improve the quality of pedestrian facilities through revitalizing sidewalks, providing safe crossing facilities, adding supporting facilities, and regulating activities that disrupt the function of sidewalks to improve the safety and comfort of pedestrians in Bengkulu City.