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Driveway improvements
Several driveway designs may cause safety problems for pedestrians, including excessively wide and/or sloped driveways, driveways with wide turning radii, multiple adjacent driveways, driveways that are not well defined, and driveways where motorist attention is focused on finding a gap in congested traffic.
Examples of driveway improvements include narrowing or closing driveways, tightening turning radii, converting driveways to right-in/out only movements, and providing median dividers on wide driveways.
When driveways cross sidewalks, it is preferable to maintain the sidewalk level across the driveway (see sketch). This is more comfortable for pedestrians and makes it clear to motorists that they must watch for pedestrians. It is important to minimize large signs and bushes at driveways to improve the visibility between motorists and pedestrians. The sidewalk material (usually concrete) should be maintained across the driveway as well.
The driveways pictured above demonstrate how to provide driveway access across a sidewalk while maintaining a continuous, level walkway for pedestrians. The top example shows a driveway with a wide apron to accommodate a landscaped planting strip.
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The material provided on this page is from the FHWA publication
"Pedestrian Facilities User Guide." This guide is currently under review
by practicioners and others in the field. Subsequently, the material
provided on this page is subject to change in the future.
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Purpose:
• Reduce pedestrian/ motor
vehicle conflicts.
• Improve access for people with disabilities.
• Improve visibility of cars and pedestrians at driveways.
Considerations:
• It is best to design driveways well at the outset. Local regulations can require appropriate design when driveways are created.
Estimated Cost:
No additional cost if part of original construction.
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