Análisis del tránsito peatonal, alternativas y soluciones a congestionamientos en la Avenida América, entre Avenida Manabí y Calle Ramón Fernández. Portoviejo-Manabí

Castillo, José Ignacio Ruiz; Zambrano, Diego Armando Vargas; Gutiérrez, Daniel Alfredo Delgado; Hernández, Eduardo Humberto Ortiz · 2020 · DOAJ

DOI: 10.33936/riemat.v5i2.2967

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Summary

This study addresses the problem of pedestrian congestion and safety in the city of Portoviejo, Ecuador, specifically along Avenida América between Avenida Manabí and Calle Ramón Fernández. Motivated by global trends toward sustainable mobility and the high vulnerability of pedestrians in urban environments, the research aims to analyze pedestrian traffic flows, identify infrastructure deficiencies, and propose solutions to mitigate congestion and improve safety. The authors argue that traditional urban planning often prioritizes vehicular traffic, leading to inadequate sidewalk conditions that force pedestrians into the street, increasing accident risks. The methodology employed a field investigation conducted during the last week of November 2019 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Data collection involved three techniques: direct observation, pedestrian counts (aforo), and surveys. Pedestrian counts were performed at five specific points along the study area from 07:00 to 19:00 in 15-minute intervals. Surveys were administered to pedestrians to assess their perception of congestion, frequency of travel, and respect for pedestrian infrastructure. The study also analyzed the level of service (LOS) of the sidewalks based on the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM, 2000), considering the average sidewalk width of 1.50 meters. The results indicated a total of 37,086 pedestrians traversed the study area during the observation period. Point N°3 recorded the highest volume (26% of total), attributed to the concentration of banks, pharmacies, and commercial establishments. Peak hours occurred between 09:15–12:30 and 14:45–17:15, with the highest single interval flow of 166 pedestrians occurring at 17:00–17:15 on Wednesday at Point N°3. The analysis determined that the sidewalks operate at Level of Service D, indicating poor conditions. Survey results revealed that 62% of respondents perceive pedestrian congestion, and while 79% believe sidewalks are respected, visual observation confirmed that pedestrians frequently walk on the street to avoid obstacles such as parked motorcycles, commercial signage, and poorly designed driveway ramps. The study concludes that the current infrastructure fails to support the high pedestrian volume, posing significant safety risks, particularly for individuals with mobility impairments. To address these issues, the authors propose six solutions: (1) implementing traffic education campaigns for citizens and municipal authorities; (2) installing standardized curb ramps (vados) at intersections to ensure accessibility; (3) creating designated parking spaces along the road margin to act as physical barriers protecting pedestrians; (4) penalizing the illegal placement of obstacles and vehicles on sidewalks; (5) constructing a signalized bicycle lane to diversify transport options; and (6) increasing traffic police presence to enforce regulations. These measures aim to create an integral mobility system that prioritizes pedestrian safety and sustainable urban development.

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• pedestrian behavior perception