Agenda - Public Works Committee - 09/15/2009

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PEDSA~E : recommended guidelines/priorities for sidewalks and walkways Page 7 of 12 . community for school access, shopping, and recreational trips. An off-road path-also known as a "side path"-Is a type of walkway used in some rural settings, This path may be . paved or unpaved, and Is separated from the roadway by a grass or landscaped strip without curbing. This maintains a rural look, but is safer and more comfortable than a shoulder. A paved or unpaved shoulder should be provided as a minimum along the road. Paved shoulders are preferred to . provide an all-weather walking surface, since they also serve bicyclists and improve the overall safety of the road. A 1.5-m- (5-ft-) wide shoulder Is acceptable for pedestrians along low-volume rural highways. Greater width, up to 2.4 to 3.0 m (8 to 10 ft), is desirable along high-speed highways, particularly with a large number of trucks. An edge line should be marked to separate the shoulder from the travelway. Sidewalk Width The width of a sidewalk depends primarily on the number. of pedestrians who are expected to use the sidewalk at a given time _ high-use sidewalks should be wider than low-use sidewalks. "Street furniture" and sidewalk cafes require extra width, too. A. sidewalk width of 1 ,5 m (5 ft) is needed for two adult pedestrians to comfortably walk side-by-slde, and all sidewalks shouid be constructed to be at least this width. The minimum sidewalk widths for cities large and small are: Local or collector streets 1.5 m (5 ft) Arterial or major streets 1.8 to 2.4 m (6 to 8 ft) C8D areas . 2.4 to 3.7 m (8 to 12 ft)* Along parks, schools, and other major pedestrian generators 2.4 to 3.0 m (8 to 10 ft) *2.4.m (8-ft) minimum In commercial areas with a planter strip, 3.7-m (120ft) minimum In commercial areas with no planter strip. These widths represent a clear or unobstructed width. Point obs~ructions may be acceptable as long as there Is at least 914 mm (36 In) for wheelchair maneuvering (no less than 1,219 mm (48 in) wide as a whole); however, every attempt shouid be made to locate streetlights, utility poles, signposts, fire hydrants, mail boxes, parking meters, bus benches, and other street furniture out of the sidewalk, VVhen that Is not possible, sidewalk furnishings and other obstructions should be located consistently so that there is a clear travel zone for pedestrians with vision Impairments and a wider sidewalk should be provided to accommodate this line of obstructions. Similarly, when sidewalks abut storefronts, the sidewalk should be built 0.6 m (2 ft) wider to accommodate window- shoppers and to avoid conflicts with doors opening and pedestrians entering or leaving the buildings. Many 1.2-m (4-ft) sidewalks were blJllt In the past. This width does not provide adequate clearance room or mobility for pedestrians passing in opposite directions. All new and retrofitted sidewalks should be 1.5 m (5 ft) feet or wider. Sidewalk Buffer Width Buffers between pedestrians and motor vehicle traffic are important to provide greater levels of comfort, security, and safety to pedestrians. Landscaped buffers provide a space for poles, signs, and other obstructions; they serve as a snow storage area; and they protect pedestrians from splash.' The Ideal width of a plantlng strtp Is 1.8 m (6 ft). Minimum allowable landscape buffer widths are: Local or collector streets 0.6 to 1.2 m (2 to 4 ft) Arterial or major streets 1.2 to 1.8 m (4 to 6 ft) http://www. walkinginfo. org/pedsafe/moreinfo sidewalks. cfm 8/19/2009