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Sidewalks and Walkways:
Sidewalks and walkways are “pedestrian lanes” that provide people
with space to travel within the public right-of-way that is separated from roadway
vehicles. They also provide places for children to walk, run, skate, ride bikes,
and play. Sidewalks are associated with significant reductions in pedestrian
collisions with motor vehicles.(1) Such facilities also improve mobility for
pedestrians and provide access for all types of pedestrian travel: to and from
home, work, parks, schools, shopping areas, transit stops, etc. Walkways should
be part of every new and renovated facility and every effort should be made
to retrofit streets that currently do not have sidewalks.
While sidewalks are typically made of concrete, less expensive walkways may
be constructed of asphalt, crushed stone, or other materials if they are properly
maintained and accessible (firm, stable, and slip-resistant). In more rural
areas, in particular, a “side path” made of one of these materials
may be suitable. The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) guidelines
recommend a minimum width of 1.5 m (5 ft) for a sidewalk or walkway, which allows
two people to pass comfortably or to walk side-by-side. Wider sidewalks should
be installed near schools, at transit stops, in downtown areas, or anywhere
high concentrations of pedestrians exist. Sidewalks should be continuous along
both sides of a street and sidewalks should be fully accessible to all pedestrians,
including those in wheelchairs.
A buffer zone of 1.2 to 1.8 m (4 to 6 ft) is desirable and should be provided
to separate pedestrians from the street. The buffer zone will vary according
to the street type. In downtown or commercial districts, a street furniture
zone is usually appropriate. Parked cars and/or bicycle lanes can provide an
acceptable buffer zone. In more suburban or rural areas, a landscape strip is
generally most suitable. Careful planning of sidewalks and walkways is important
in a neighborhood or area in order to provide adequate safety and mobility.
For example, there should be a flat sidewalk provided in areas where driveways
slope to the roadway.
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• Create the appropriate facility for the walking area of the public right-of-way.
• Improve pedestrian safety dramatically. |
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• While continuous walkways are the goal, retrofitting areas without them
will usually occur in phases. Lack of a seamless system is no excuse not to
provide parts of the system.
• In retrofitting streets that do not have a continuous or accessible system,
locations near transit stops, schools, parks, public buildings, and other areas
with high concentrations of pedestrians should be the highest priority.
• Street furniture placement should not restrict pedestrian flow. |
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| The cost for concrete curbs and sidewalks is approximately $49/linear meter ($15/linear foot) for curbing and $118/square meter ($11/square foot) for walkways. Asphalt curbs and walkways are less costly, but require more maintenance, and are somewhat more difficult to walk and roll on for pedestrians with mobility impairments. |
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