Downtown Denver Summer 2013 Pedestrian Count Report Funded by the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District Research Department • 511 16 th Street, Suite 200, Denver, CO 80202 • 303-534-6161 • www.DowntownDenver.com Downtown Denver Partnership, Inc. Research Department
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Funded by the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District
Research Department • 511 16th Street, Suite 200, Denver, CO 80202 • 303-534-6161 • www.DowntownDenver.com
Downtown DenverPartnership, Inc.
Research Department
INTRODUCTION
Since 1994, the Downtown Denver Business Improvement District (BID) has funded two pedestrian counts in Downtown Denver each year. The BID conducts a comprehensive count in the summer and a partial count in the winter. This report summarizes data collected during the summer of 2013.
Pedestrian counts allow Downtown Denver stakeholders to: • Measure pedestrian traffic for prospective Downtown Denver retailers, developers and businesses.• Determine the impact of new development.• Predict or measure success of a Downtown Denver event.• Help determine priority areas for streetscape and amenity projects.• Locate areas where increased police presence and cleaning services may be needed.
METHODOLOGY
TimeframeThe 2013 summer pedestrian counts took place from June 18th to August 21st.
ProcessThe BID hired individuals to count pedestrians as they passed a specific spot located in the middle of the block on one side of the street. Counters used automatic, handheld tally counters to count pedestrians on both weekdays and weekends during the middle of the day (11:30am-1:30pm) and the evening (5:00pm-7:00pm). BID staff entered and analyzed data collected by counters. From these two hour counts, BID staff used a tool developed by the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project to estimate daily, weekly, monthly and annual pedestrian counts. For more information on this extrapolation process, please see appendix B.
WeatherWeather can have an impact on both pedestrian activity and the ability to conduct pedestrian counts. Occasionally, the BID needs to reschedule counts due to severe weather and counters record weather conditions as they count pedestrians.
Weather conditions during the summer 2013 pedestrian counts were favorable, with average temperatures and minimal precipitation. The average mean temperature for the 18 days the counts took place was 74°. The high temperature recorded during the count time period was 89°, a little higher than the historical average of 82°. The low temperature recorded during the count time period was 58°, also higher than the historical average of 53°. During the 18 days counting occurred, 0.54 inches of precipitation fell in Denver, with one of these days having more than a trace of precipitation. While counts were conducted before historic rainfall fell over the metro area during mid-September, various Saturday counts had to be canceled due to rain. Thus, counters were not able to complete all Saturday counts in the summer of 2013.
External Influences and LimitationsIn addition to weather, a variety of other outside factors can influence pedestrian counts, including special events, conferences and/or construction. Pedestrian counters record any obvious outside influences throughout their shifts that may impact pedestrian activity and the BID takes these notes into account during data analysis. However, it is not possible to control for all external influences and thus year-to-year variation in counts is expected. Additionally, counts are subject to potential human and equipment errors. The BID carefully manages the pedestrian count process in order to minimize potential errors and is confident in the count’s results.
1
Count site selection:
Pedestrian counts occur at core sites, zone sites and timely sites. The BID counts pedestrian activity at 12 core sites at least once a year on both weekends and weekdays. Core sites are included in every summer count and are given priority consideration for off-season counts. The Pedestrian Count Program selected the following core sites based on historical counts and the vision set forth by the 2007 Downtown Area Plan:
• 16th between Tremont and Glenarm • 16th between Glenarm and Welton• 16th between Welton and California • 16th between California and Stout • 16th between Lawrence and Larimer • 16th between Blake and Wazee
• 14th between California and Stout • 14th between Arapahoe and Lawrence • Wazee between 16th and 17th • Larimer between 14th and 15th • Arapahoe between 16th and 17th • California between 15th and 16th
In addition to these core sites, pedestrian counts take place in a certain zone that covers a quarter of the blocks in the BID. With the goal of measuring pedestrian activity on every block in the BID, the Pedestrian Count Program developed a rotating zone program in 2011. The 120 blocks within the BID’s boundaries belong to one of four zones, with pedestrian counts occurring in one zone every four years. The map on this page shows the four zones within the BID. In the summer of 2013, pedestrian counts occurred throughout Zone C. Zone C includes the historic LoDo neighborhood, the area adjacent to the Union Station redevelopment, and also borders Coors Field.
In addition to core and zone sites, the BID counts pedestrians at various timely sites based on special requests, proposed investment or development, sporting or other events, or unique conditions.
CHER
RY C
REEK
TRAI
L
CHER
RY C
REEK
TRAI
L
t 7.25”375”
.
RTD LIGHT RAIL
SOUTH PLATTE RIVERGATES CRESCENT
PARK
GOVERNOR'S PARK
SUNKENGARDENS
CENTENNIALGARDENS
CITY OFCUERNAVACA
PARK
COMMONS PARK
DENVERSKATEPARK
CIVICCENTER
PARK
CONFLUENCEPARK
SKYLINEPARK
COLORADOCONVENTION
CENTER
COORSFIELD
RTDCIVIC CENTER
STATION
DENVER PERFORMING
ARTS COMPLEX
DENVER UNIONSTATION
LARIMER ST
LAWRENCE ST
W COLFAX AVE
WATER ST
OGDEN ST
WYNKOOP ST
W 23RD AVE
CENTRAL ST
E 20TH AVE
E 19TH AVE
14TH
ST
22N
D S
T
PARK
AVE
15TH
ST
19TH
ST
W 8TH AVE
15TH
ST
2 W
AY U
NTI
L W
AZE
E
SANTA FE D
R
20TH
ST
LINCOLN ST
PARK
AVE
DOWNIN
G ST
CHAMPA ST
STOUT ST
BROADWAY
SPEE
R BL
VD
SPEE
R BL
VD
CORONA ST
LINCOLN STBROADWAY
DOWNIN
G ST
25
PEDESTRIANBRIDGE
SOUTH PLATTERIVER GREENWAY
UNIONGATEWAY
BRIDGE
HIGHLAND
BRIDGE
LIGHT RAILPLAZA
7TH
ST
19TH
ST
18TH
ST
BRYANT ST
INCA ST
W 29TH AVE
W 9TH AVE
E SP
EER
BLVD
13TH
ST
CHESTNUT PL
CRESCENT DR
FOX ST
BASSETT ST
HURON ST
WEWATTA STDELGANY ST
W 10TH AVE
19TH
ST
ROCKMONT DR
WEWATTA ST
FOX STEL
ITCH CIR
LITTL
E RAVEN
ST
BANNOCK ST
CURTIS ST
COURT PL
CLEVELAND PL
HUMBOLDT ST
ELATI ST
E 12TH AVE
W 11TH AVE
PLATTE ST
MARION ST
5TH ST
TREMONT PL
DELAWARE ST
ACOMA ST
WASHINGTON ST
WALNUT ST
EMERSON ST
ELATI ST
GLENARM PL
7TH
ST
GLENARM PL
CHEROKEE ST
WAZEE ST
E 18TH AVE
WELTON ST
MARKET ST
BANNOCK ST
21ST
ST
W 14TH AVE
E 14TH AVE
E 13TH AVE
17TH
ST
MARIPOSA ST
KALAMATH ST
LIPAN ST
SANTA FE D
R
GALAPAGO ST
E 10TH AVE
E 9TH AVE
E 12TH AVE
E 11TH AVEEMERSON ST
OGDEN ST
MARION ST
HUMBOLDT ST
ARAPAHOE ST
WELTON ST
16TH
ST
MA
LL
PEARL ST
PEARL ST
PENNSYLVANIA
ST
FRANKLIN ST
PENNSYLVANIA
ST
CLARKSON STWASHIN
GTON ST
LOGAN ST
LOGAN ST
SHERMAN ST
GRANT ST
CALIFORNIA ST CALIFORNIA ST
E 16TH AVE
W COLFAX AVE
CURTIS ST
W 13TH AVE
BLAKE ST
E 13TH AVE
E 17TH AVE
E 17TH AVE
ARAPAHOE ST
TREMONT PL
WASHINGTON ST
CLARKSON ST
W 13TH AVE
SHERMAN ST
18TH
ST
41
21
40
B
22
48
67
A17 16
12 13
18 19 20
15
4243
4645
70 69
74
71
75
9899
73
47
68
76
97 96
77
23
39 38
49 50
C
66 65
78 79
95 94
D 1-H
106 107 108 109 110 111
126127128129130131
100
105
133 132
104
143142141140139138
158159160161162163
170 171 172 173 174 175 176
199 198 197 196 195 194
209208207206
137
164165
232 231 230
244
3B
2B
1B
32B
31B
30B
4B
29B
28B
36B
35B
34B
33B
37B
5B
193
210
ZONE C - 2013
ZONE A - 2011
ZONE B - 2012
ZONE D - 2014
Pedestrian Count Four Year Zone Plan
2
CHER
RY CR
EEK
TRAI
L
CHER
RY C
REEK
TRAI
L
t 7.25”375”
.
RTD LIGHT RAIL
SOUTH PLATTE RIVERGATES CRESCENT
PARK
GOVERNOR'S PARK
SUNKENGARDENS
CENTENNIALGARDENS
CITY OFCUERNAVACA
PARK
COMMONS PARK
DENVERSKATEPARK
CIVICCENTER
PARK
CONFLUENCEPARK
SKYLINEPARK
COLORADOCONVENTION
CENTER
COORSFIELD
RTDCIVIC CENTER
STATION
DENVER PERFORMING
ARTS COMPLEX
MARKET STREETSTATION
DENVER UNIONSTATION
LARIMER ST
LAWRENCE ST
W COLFAX AVE
WATER ST
OGDEN ST
WYNKOOP ST
W 23RD AVECENTRAL ST
E 20TH AVE
E 19TH AVE
14TH
ST
22N
D S
T
PARK
AVE
15TH
ST
19TH
ST
W 8TH AVE
15TH
ST
2 W
AY U
NTIL
WAZ
EE
SANTA
FE DR
20TH
ST
LINCOLN ST
PARK
AVE
DOWNING ST
CHAMPA ST
STOUT ST
BROADWAY
SPEE
R BL
VD
SPEE
R BL
VD
CORONA ST
LINCOLN STBROADWAY
DOWNING ST
25
7TH
ST
19TH
ST
18TH
ST
BRYANT S
T
INCA ST
W 29TH AVE
W 9TH AVE
E SP
EER
BLVD
13TH
ST
CHESTNUT PL
CRESCENT DR
FOX ST
BASSETT ST
HURON ST
WEWATTA STDELGANY ST
W 10TH AVE
19TH
ST
ROCKMONT DR
WEWATTA ST
FOX STEL
ITCH CIR
LITTL
E RAVEN ST
BANNOCK ST
CURTIS ST
COURT PL
CLEVELAND PL
HUMBOLDT S
T
ELATI ST
E 12TH AVE
W 11TH AVE
PLATTE ST
MARION ST
5TH STTREMONT PL
DELAWARE ST
ACOMA ST
WASHINGTO
N ST
WALNUT ST
EMERSON ST
ELATI ST
GLENARM PL
7TH
ST
GLENARM PL
CHEROKEE ST
WAZEE ST
E 18TH AVE
WELTON ST
MARKET ST
BANNOCK ST
21ST
ST
W 14TH AVE
E 14TH AVE
E 13TH AVE
17TH
ST
MARIPOSA ST
KALAMATH ST
LIPAN ST
SANTA FE D
R
GALAPAGO ST
E 10TH AVE
E 9TH AVE
E 12TH AVE
E 11TH AVEEMER
SON ST
OGDEN ST
MARION ST
HUMBOLDT S
T
ARAPAHOE ST
WELTON ST
16TH
ST
MAL
L
PEARL S
T
PEARL ST
PENNSYLVANIA ST
FRANKLIN
ST
PENNSY
LVANIA ST
CLARKSON STWASHIN
GTON ST
LOGAN ST
LOGAN ST
SHERMAN ST
GRANT ST
CALIFORNIA ST CALIFORNIA ST
E 16TH AVE
W COLFAX AVE
CURTIS ST
W 13TH AVE
BLAKE ST
E 13TH AVE
E 17TH AVE
E 17TH AVE
ARAPAHOE ST
TREMONT PL
WASHINGTO
N ST
CLARKSO
N ST
W 13TH AVE
SHERMAN ST
18TH
ST
1,169
3,681
1,321
1,015
7,491
1,728 9,013 7,287 5,965 4,128 2,796
7,235
5,4921,705
4,957 6,514 3,212 2,040 2,658
1,792
4,753 9,271 3,395 1,711 1,2662,228
PEDESTRIANBRIDGE
SOUTH PLATTERIVER GREENWAY
UNIONGATEWAYBRIDGE
HIGHLANDBRIDGE
LIGHT RAILPLAZA
277
653
1,857
672
531
5,547
5,851
3,791
3,496
1592
14,218
14,539
26,115
12,148
15,597
29,582
28,270
22,545
23,857
4,690
6,057
4,876
5,871
4,607
3,333
3,081
4,445
2,754
3,954
10,000 - 12,499
7,500 - 9,999
2,500 - 4,999
0-2,499
5,000 - 7,499
Average Daily Pedestrian Tra�c
12,500 - 14,999
15,000 +
AVERAGE DAILY PEDESTRIAN ACTIVITYThe following map shows the estimated number of pedestrians that walk on a specific block in Downtown Denver on an average day. The numbers on this map are extrapolated from two-hour counts. See Appendix A and B for more information about the extrapolation process.
3
ADDITIONAL ANALYSISPedestrian Traffic Changes Throughout the Day
Most blocks in the BID have slightly higher pedestrian traffic during the middle of the day than during the evening, however counts on some blocks show more extreme pattens. On average, mid-day pedestrian traffic is 14% higher than evening pedestrian traffic. The following table shows blocks that have the largest difference between mid-day and evening pedestrian traffic. For a full list of counts, see appendix A.
Blocks with higher mid-day pedestrian traffic Blocks with higher evening pedestrian trafficSpeer between Blake and Market* Market between 18th and 19thArapahoe between 16th & 17th 14th Court between Blake and MarketBlake between 17th and 18th 20th between Blake and MarketLarimer between 18th and 19th* 20th between Market and Larimer*Larimer between 14th & 15th 20th between Wazee and Blake*Wazee between 16th and 17th Speer between Wewatta and Wazee*Wynkoop between 14th and 15th* Speer between Larimer and Lawrence*Wynkoop between 18th and 19th Market between 19th and 20th14th St. between Larimer and Lawrence* Blake between 16th and 17thLawrence between 13th/Speer and 14th* Market between 14th and 15th*Denotes block where only one side of the street was counted because other side is outside of BID and Zone boundaries
16th Street MallAs the main pedestrian thoroughfare in the BID, measuring pedestrian activity on the 16th Street Mall is a major goal of the Pedestrian Count Program. Count sites along the 16th Street Mall have the highest amount of pedestrian traffic in Downtown Denver. In fact, the top ten highest counts were all on the 16th Street Mall. The BID estimates that the average daily pedestrian activity for a block on the 16th Street Mall ranges from a low of 14,218 pedestrians to a high of 29,582 pedestrians. (note: these numbers are extrapolated from two-hour counts; see appendices for more information about the extrapolation process.)
Block Estimated Annual Pedestrian Traffic
Estimated Ave. Weekly Pedestrian Traffic
Estimated Ave. Daily Pedestrian Traffic
16th between Tremont and Glenarm 7,753,601 149,108 23,857 16th between Glenarm and Welton 7,327,264 140,909 22,545 16th between Welton and California 9,187,769 176,688 28,270 16th between California and Stout 9,614,111 184,887 29,582 16th between Lawrence and Larimer 5,069,169 97,484 15,597 16th between Blake and Market 8,487,476 163,221 26,115 16th between Wazee and Blake 4,725,033 90,866 14,539 16th between Wynkoop and Wazee 4,620,935 88,864 14,218 16th Street Mall AVERAGE 7,098,170 136,503 21,841
16th between Wewatta and Wynkoop* 3,521,272 67,717 10,835 16th between Market and Larimer* 3,948,126 75,926 12,148*Count impacted by construction on block. Not included in average.
7
Special EventsThe BID counted pedestrian activity on the 16th Street Mall during a special event, Make Music Denver, in June 2013. Make Music Denver resulted in a 45% increase in pedestrian activity between 11:30am and 1:30pm and a 106% increase between 5:00pm and 7:00pm on 16th Street between Glenarm and Welton.
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
4,000
4,500
Mid-Day Evening
Event Weekday
Event Weekday Non-event Weekday
Event Weekday
Total Pedestrians (16th between
Glenarm and Welton)
CONCLUSION
Outlook for 2014In 2014, the BID will count pedestrians in the Broadway and Lincoln area within Zone D of the BID. This count will provide important baseline data for the area near the Civic Center Park as well as the RTD Civic Center Transit Station. After next summer’s counts, the BID will have completed its four-year rotation and thus, will have a pedestrian count for every block in the BID. In early 2014, the BID will install automatic pedestrian counters at several locations in Downtown Denver. The BID will re-evaluate the pedestrian count program after the 2014 counts, taking into consideration the results from and experience with the automatic pedestrian counters.
AcknowledgmentsThe Downtown Denver Business Improvement District thanks the Summer 2013 pedestrian counters who spent hours counting pedestrians around Downtown Denver. The BID also thanks the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project and Alta Planning and Design for providing a model for pedestrian extrapolations.
About this ReportThe Summer Pedestrian Count report is created by the Downtown Denver Research Department. Staff contributors and editors include: Riley LaMie, Emily Brett, Aylene McCallum and John Desmond.
Please direct any questions about this report to Emily Brett at [email protected] or 303-571-8216.
Pedestrian count sheets and counter instructions are available upon request.
8
Impact of Make Music Denver Event on Pedestrian Activity
Market between 14th and 15th 554 1,498,197 4,105 686 2,120,192 5,809 4,957 -29%
Market between 15th and 16th* 516 1,511,719 4,142 355 1,188,616 3,256 3,699 27%
Market between 16th and 17th 1,257 2,874,244 7,875 720 1,880,979 5,153 6,514 53%
Market between 17th and 18th 593 1,172,385 3,212 3,212 n/a
Market between 18th and 19th 212 427,865 1,172 317 1,061,384 2,908 2,040 -60%
Market between 19th and 20th 385 745,938 2,044 561 1,194,437 3,272 2,658 -38%
Speer between Blake and Market* 142 264,543 725 41 87,294 239 482 203%
Speer between Larimer and Lawrence* 273 550,977 1,510 390 899,554 2,465 1,987 -39%
Speer between Market and Larimer* 21 42,383 116 23 53,051 145 131 -20%
Speer between Wewatta and Wazee* 56 78,245 214 89 142,119 389 302 -45%
Stout between 14th and 15th 730 1,443,240 3,954 3,954 n/a
Wazee between 15th and 16th 708 1,991,250 5,455 460 1,478,571 4,051 4,753 35%
Wazee between 16th and 17th 1,429 4,186,523 11,470 771 2,581,473 7,073 9,271 62%
Wazee between 17th and 18th 423 1,239,258 3,395 370 1,238,839 3,394 3,395 0%
Wazee between 18th and 19th 247 723,633 1,983 157 525,670 1,440 1,711 38%
Wazee between 19th and 20th 147 413,438 1,133 159 511,071 1,400 1,266 -19%
Wazee between Cherry Creek and 15th 274 770,625 2,111 277 856,113 2,346 2,228 -10%
Wewatta between 14th and 15th* 239 646,334 1,771 156 482,143 1,321 1,546 34%
Wynkoop between 14th and 15th* 548 1,541,250 4,223 309 955,014 2,616 3,420 61%
Wynkoop between 15th and 16th* 1,511 4,249,688 11,643 1,104 3,548,571 9,722 10,683 20%
Wynkoop between 16th and 17th* 737 1,993,089 5,461 481 1,486,607 4,073 4,767 34%Wynkoop between 17th and 18th* 569 1,538,762 4,216 413 1,276,442 3,497 3,856 21%Wynkoop between 18th and 19th 602 1,693,125 4,639 316 1,058,036 2,899 3,769 60%
* Count reflects pedestrians on one side of the street (vs. the typical two-sided count) due to various factors including BID or zone boundaries, construction, or missing count** Average between average based on AM count and average based on PM count*** Percent change between average daily traffic based on AM count and average daily traffic based on PM count
APPENDIX B: EXPLANATION OF NBPD EXTRAPOLATION PROCESS
The National Bicycle and Pedestrian Documentation Project, along with Alta Planning and Design and the In-stitute of Transportation Engineers, developed a tool to estimate daily, weekly, monthly, and annual pedestrian activity from 2-hour pedestrian counts. This model takes into account the time of day, day of the week, climate, and type of pedestrian environment. Extrapolated numbers are based on the following adjustments. Contact DDP or visit bikepeddocumentation.org for more information.
Table 1: Hourly AdjustmentsModel assumes 95% of pedestrian traffic occurs between 6am and 10pm; Downtown is considered a “PED District”
APR-SEP OCT-MAR PED District PED Districtwkdy wkend wkdy wkend