Pedestrian planning and modelling

There is an almost endless list of social, economic, and environmental benefits when cities prioritise people over cars. Pedestrian planning involves unleashing these enormous benefits by challenging the traditional paradigm of car-oriented city planning and delivering urban environments that truly prioritise people and walkability. This requires an integrated and holistic approach to improve pedestrian experience while balancing the overall needs of a city.

Rather than just apply industry standards and guidelines which traditionally prioritise vehicles over pedestrians, I adopt a pragmatic and outcomes-oriented approach, meaning that:

Services - Pedestrian Planning

I do not treat pedestrian planning as:

❌ Simply accommodating, rather than prioritising, pedestrians

❌ ‘Protecting’ pedestrians in the name of maximising vehicle throughput

❌ Only a design or engineering issue

I believe truly planning for pedestrians involves:

✅ Prioritising people and places over movement of vehicles

✅ Creating a safe, comfortable, and convenient pedestrian environment

✅ Consideration of not just design but social, cultural, and political factors

My unique combination of an engineering background, user-centric mindset, and strategic focus enables me to deliver a full spectrum of pedestrian planning solutions, from street and infrastructure design through to guideline and policy review and development.

Watch my presentation below from the AITPM Online Conference to learn about an integrated street design framework for delivering better walking and pedestrian outcomes.

Pedestrian modelling is a tool for analysing crowding and movement of people. I utilise both static modelling based on first principles for rapid assessment, and dynamic microsimulation modelling software such as LEGION for detailed performance-based assessment of more complex environments.

Rather than just simply ‘do the modelling’, I apply my experience from large, complex projects to holistically and strategically analyse modelling outputs to make better-informed planning, design, and operational decisions.

I do not treat pedestrian modelling as a box-ticking or 3D visualisation exercise. Instead, I see pedestrian modelling as a crucial decision-making tool to provide value across the entire project lifecycle. For example:

Services - Pedestrian Modelling

Business case: Improvements to congestion, pedestrian flow, and connectivity can be quantified to demonstrate economic benefit and justify major investment decisions.

Risk mitigation: Proper utilisation of pedestrian modelling early in the project lifecycle can help identify and rectify risks and mitigate downstream delivery impacts, potentially saving tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars on mega-projects.

Design optimisation: The NYU-funded Transit Costs Project recommended minimising station sizes to reduce construction costs and improve value-for-money, where pedestrian modelling can help optimise and reduce facility size while improving user experience.

Construction and operations: Ensure operational continuity and inform crowd management measures during temporary conditions such as construction, special events, and perturbations.

Watch my presentation below from the AITPM Online Conference to learn how to get more value from pedestrian modelling, including potential cost savings of tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars on transport mega-projects.

Experience

I have delivered iconic and city-shaping projects for a wide range of clients across the globe including:

Redfern STation Upgrade

"The only reason the concourse is there today was the original ped modelling you did that demonstrated that the project needed to proceed urgently ahead of any overall precinct works."

"A very positive contribution to the project outcome."

– Senior Project Manager, Transport for NSW

Testimonials

What some of my clients have said:

Brisbane International Airport Expansion

"Your team has been fundamental to the successful delivery of a challenging project in a live operational airport environment. With your help we have been able to deliver a world class product to our client, creating a project which was delivered ahead of schedule and under budget"

– Project Leader, Laing O'Rourke

“Very pleased with the overall result and Ten-Zen Guh in particular for his performance and support”

– Design Leader, Laing O'Rourke

Easing Sydney's Congestion

"Pass on to the guys producing the report (Ten-Zen) my thanks for the clarity of the report. It seems rare to read an engineering based document that is so clear in guidance, outcomes and direction"

– Project Manager, Roads and Maritime Services

More Trains More Services

"Your consultants were extremely knowledgeable, courteous and provided an excellent output. The level of service was very high. If the same level of service was provided again I would be satisfied. Your project team were a pleasure to work with. I look forward to working with them again."

– Program Manager, Transport for NSW

Mandurah Line Station Analysis

"The quality of work...was to a high standard, and the findings were insightful, requiring minimal supervision/project management on the client's end. Deliverables were provided promptly, to schedule or as agreed, and were of a high quality. Further, I found it useful to have suggestions/guidance on follow up work that add value to the project/organisation's objectives."

– Project Manager, Public Transport Authority of Western Australia

City Rail Link

"I think our early interactions regarding the pedestrian modelling requirements and survey design was a very good example of how the good collaboration and coordination should be done. I actually point to that as an example of positive interactions with the CRL project and a model of how it should be done"

– Transport Modelling Manager, Link Alliance

Sydney Metro

"Definitely the smoothest modelling stream for Sydney Metro West"

– Project Manager, Sydney Metro

“Thanks Ten-Zen – a star as usual!!”

– Senior Manager, Sydney Metro

Melbourne Airport Redevelopment

"Overall very satisfied with your professionalism and reports"

– Project Manager, Melbourne Airport