Why sidewalks are good

In this case, the shared use path should meet the general criteria to serve adequately as a sidewalk or pathway. The use of shoulders as a substitute for sidewalks is never justified in urban areas. Sidewalks should be delineated by a vertical and horizontal separation from moving traffic to provide an adequate buffer space and a sense of safety for pedestrians. Wide low-volume local or residential roads without sidewalks should be upgraded, but in the interim may be regulated as shared spaces or improved through the use of temporary materials where there is a potential danger to pedestrians.

Sidewalk design may be compromised by roadside design guidance that requires lateral offsets or clear zones forgiving to higher vehicle speeds. Use a lower design speed or widen the sidewalk to mitigate these impacts.

Delineation of a strict clear zone or minimum offset is not a required feature in urban environments. Where transit stops are provided, bus shelters should be placed at the left or right edge of the walkway, but never directly within the path of travel. Where insufficient space exists, consider the application of a bus bulb.

Relocation of fixed objects, such as utility poles, light fixtures, and other street furniture should not impinge on or restrict the adjacent walkway. Walkways must be clear of fixed objects in coordination with ADA accessibility guidelines.

Ensure that sidewalks are without major gaps or deformities that would make them non-traversable for wheel- chairs and other mobility devices. At driveways, sidewalks should be maintained at-grade through the conflict zone.

Any construction project that obstructs the sidewalk should be mitigated through the provision of a temporary sidewalk that affords a safe and convenient passage or clearly directs users to an equivalent nearby detour. Strategies include: Lighting scaled to the pedestrian realm in addition to overhead lighting for vehicles.

Benches and other seating platforms designed into the structure itself or placed within the frontage zone. Incentives to provide awnings, sidewalk cafes, and other elements that improve the comfort and appearance of the sidewalk. Where security concerns are present, use of permeable, rather than closed, metal shutters on storefronts at night above. Provision of adequate lighting beneath scaffolding and other construction sites.

Sidewalk cafes foster street life and have the potential to increase business along a corridor. Where provided, sidewalk cafes should not impinge upon the accessible pedestrian pathway. If a sidewalk is directly adjacent to the roadway, 2 feet should be added to the absolute minimum clear path width to ensure that there is sufficient space for roadside hardware and snow storage. Urban arterials or high- volume downtown streets directly abutting the pedestrian realm should be buffered in some capacity, whether through a street furniture zone, parking, cycle track, or other feature.

Sidewalks of minimum dimensions directly adjacent to the traveled way should be avoided. When pedestrian networks cross municipal boundaries, efforts should be made to ensure seamless continuity of the pedestrian infrastructure. In newer residential areas, many streets have been constructed without sidewalks. If traffic volumes are sufficiently low in these areas, consider designating or upgrading these areas to shared streets. This requires the addition of specific traffic calming devices and regulations that offset potential conflicts with traffic accessing local properties.

Many older residential areas have trees whose roots have compromised the integrity of the sidewalk. On low-volume roads, consider the application of a curb extension that obviates the need to remove trees or the installation of a wider sidewalk during reconstruction.

Where pedestrian volumes create congested conditions along sidewalks, cities are encouraged to pursue temporary means to ease overflow from the sidewalk onto the streets. Interim elements, such as epoxied gravel pavements or temporary lane closures, may be able to provide an interim solution until a city can widen the walkway. If special events are anticipated to significantly increase pedestrian traffic, similar strategies should be pursued to ensure pedestrians are not forced into vehicular traffic.

Clear zones are applicable on rural highways with high vehicle speeds, not in urban areas. A version of this blog was originally published on WRI Brasil. A World Resources Institute website. Login Signup. The biggest cause of There is no doubt that clean fuel will play an important role in meeting our future energy demands. And hydrogen is They seem to have reinstated the EPA and fired Road Safety.

What Makes a Complete Street? Tags: accessibility , active transport , community design , connected , crosswalks , design , green infrastructure , Hillary Smith , landscape design , mobility , natural infrastructure , Paula Manoela dos Santos , pedestrian , road safety , security , sidewalks , signage , street design , trees , WRI Brasil Sustainable Cities.

Well-designed sidewalks have three zones, helping them serve as vibrant public spaces. The material used to construct sidewalks needs to be consistent, firm, stable and slip-resistant. In order to ensure that a sidewalk functions properly, designers must be aware of how the sidewalk is being constructed and the quality of the handiwork.

On larger streets, pedestrian medians can also be designed to serve as safe, accessible sidewalks. Waterlogged streets, paths, or sidewalks are unsuitable for walking.

Sidewalks that accumulate water become useless, as pedestrians will likely end up diverting their route through car-filled roads, risking their safety. Green areas, even small ones, help drain sidewalks and keep them safe and accessible during storms.

The sidewalk, as a public space, should be accessible to a wide spectrum of users—including those with limited mobility. This means designing spaces that serve those in wheelchairs, on crutches, pregnant women, the elderly, and others with special mobility needs.

Listing out the different potential users and their mobility limitations during the design process can help ensure the final product will meet the needs of all pedestrians. Bumpy or uneven sidewalks are particularly hard to navigate for the mobility impaired. Pedestrians often transition to other modes of public transport, and need to be able to safely access stations.

Community members gain a lot from sidewalks that are well maintained and pleasant to walk. The financial, social, and health benefits are incomparable to the simple cost of maintaining these sidewalks. Feel free to call us today for more information on how you can construct and maintain your walkways. Winter in the northern parts of the United States means that the temperatures drop, the days shorten, and the snow in most areas falls relentlessly. The common understanding is that.

Pet safe ice melts are one of the best tools business owners like yourself can have when it comes to keeping pet owners happy. Learn more here. Published on: September 17, via Tyler Knott. Share on facebook Share on Facebook. Share on twitter Share on Twitter.

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Improve Pedestrian Safety. Increase Property Value. Improve Quality of Life. Make Sure Yours is Safe. Improve the Health of Residents Chronic disease rates among Americans have unfortunately been on the rise. Improve Pedestrian Safety Trails and walkways should be well maintained as they provide a safe environment for everyone to experience the town. Increase Property Value Sidewalks play a big role in increasing property values.

This helps avoid trespassing issues with pedestrians and trail users. Improve Quality of Life Sidewalks have the potential to significantly improve the quality of life within a community. Like this article? More Great Paving Information:. January 24, May 7,