2-1 Module 3 Walking Along the Road Crashes. 2-2 Walking Along the Road Crashes Learning Outcomes: Describe the Operational and Safety Benefits of Shoulders.

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Module 3Module 3

Walking Along the Road CrashesWalking Along the Road Crashes

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Walking Along the Road Crashes Walking Along the Road Crashes Learning Outcomes:Learning Outcomes:

Describe the Operational and Safety Describe the Operational and Safety Benefits of Shoulders and Benefits of Shoulders and SidewalksSidewalks

Define the Design Requirements for Define the Design Requirements for SidewalksSidewalks

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Strategic Highway Safety Plan• Statewide-coordinated safety plan that

provides:• comprehensive framework to reduce

highway fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads.

• Establishes statewide goals, objectives, and key emphasis areas

• Stakeholder involvement• 2 Challenge Areas – Bikes, Pedestrians

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Walking along the road crashes account Walking along the road crashes account for 10-15% of all pedestrian crashes:for 10-15% of all pedestrian crashes:

- Less in urban areas- Less in urban areas- More in rural areas- More in rural areas

They are easily preventable by Shoulders They are easily preventable by Shoulders & Sidewalks.& Sidewalks.

NCHRP 500, Strategy 9.1 A1:

Provide Sidewalks/Walkways and Curb Ramps

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Shoulders & Sidewalks:Shoulders & Sidewalks:

Crash Reduction Factors (CRF):Crash Reduction Factors (CRF): Paved Paved shouldersshoulders reduce pedestrian reduce pedestrian

crashes up to crashes up to 80%80%

SidewalksSidewalks reduce pedestrian crashes up to reduce pedestrian crashes up to 88%88%

(most sidewalk crashes occur at (most sidewalk crashes occur at driveways)driveways)

NCHRP 500, Strategy 9.1 A1:

Provide Sidewalks/Walkways and Curb Ramps

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Shoulders serve pedestrians in rural areasShoulders serve pedestrians in rural areasBenton County OR

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For motorists:For motorists: Room to avoid crashesRoom to avoid crashes

Benton County OR

Shoulders improve safety for all Shoulders improve safety for all usersusers

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For bicyclists:For bicyclists: A place to rideA place to ride

Benton County OR

Shoulders improve safety for all Shoulders improve safety for all usersusers

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Shoulders improve safety for all Shoulders improve safety for all usersusers

Benton County OR

For pedestrians:For pedestrians: A place to walkA place to walk

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At a certain point, sidewalks are neededAt a certain point, sidewalks are neededCanyonville OR

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““Goat trail” indicates sidewalks are neededGoat trail” indicates sidewalks are neededRedmond OR

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The AASHTO “Green Book” states:The AASHTO “Green Book” states:

““Sidewalks are integral parts of city Sidewalks are integral parts of city streets”streets”

Sidewalks are not added to streets, Sidewalks are not added to streets, they are they are part of the streetpart of the street

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Sidewalks reduce the risk of pedestrian crashesSidewalks reduce the risk of pedestrian crashes

Salem OR

Proven CRF = 88% Proven CRF = 88%

CRF = Crash Reduction FactorCRF = Crash Reduction Factor

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Curbs & sidewalks are more likely Curbs & sidewalks are more likely to slow traffic than a speed signto slow traffic than a speed sign

Sidewalks define an urban streetSidewalks define an urban streetCoburg OR

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Sidewalks should not end midblockSidewalks should not end midblockFredericksburg VA

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A sidewalk on one side only is not OKA sidewalk on one side only is not OK

Discussion:Discussion:

Why are sidewalks on 1 side not OK?Why are sidewalks on 1 side not OK?

Answer:Answer:

Pedestrians walk in street, or cross twicePedestrians walk in street, or cross twice

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Characteristics of good sidewalk designCharacteristics of good sidewalk design

1.1. Proper widthProper width

2.2. Clear of obstaclesClear of obstacles

3.3. Smooth & level surfacesSmooth & level surfaces

4.4. Separated from trafficSeparated from traffic

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Sidewalk Corridor - The Zone SystemSidewalk Corridor - The Zone System

Sidewalk corridor Sidewalk corridor extends from the edge extends from the edge of roadway to the of roadway to the edge of right-of-way:edge of right-of-way:

Curb zoneCurb zone Furniture zoneFurniture zone Pedestrian zonePedestrian zone Frontage zoneFrontage zone

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ADA requirements for sidewalksADA requirements for sidewalks

Well-designed sidewalks meet ADA requirements:Well-designed sidewalks meet ADA requirements: Sidewalks should be wide & clear of obstructions (4’ Sidewalks should be wide & clear of obstructions (4’

minimum clearance);minimum clearance); Sidewalk surface should be smooth;Sidewalk surface should be smooth; Sidewalk surface should be at 2% max cross-slope;Sidewalk surface should be at 2% max cross-slope; Sidewalk surface should be level across driveways.Sidewalk surface should be level across driveways.

Using the zone system creates a safer and more Using the zone system creates a safer and more pleasant place to walk, pleasant place to walk, and and makes it easier to makes it easier to meet all ADA requirements.meet all ADA requirements.

Note: many slides include older photos that show non-compliant sidewalk features, especially ramps without the truncated domes

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http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/sidewalk2/index.htm

Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access – Best Practices Design Guide

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Curb ZoneCurb Zone

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Furniture ZoneFurniture Zone

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Planting Strip

Boulevard Buffer

Buffer Zone

Collector Strip

Devil’s Strip

Idiot Strip

Furnishing Zone

Furniture Zone

Government Grass

Grass Lawn

Greenway

Hell Strip

Kill Strip

Landscape Area

Park Strip

The Parking

Landscape Strip

Lawn Extension

Parking Strip

Parkway

Parkway Strip

Planter Strip

Snow Zone

Terrace

Tree Lawn

Utility Strip

Verge

Boulevard Strip

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The furniture zone matters:The furniture zone matters:

It keeps the sidewalk clearIt keeps the sidewalk clear

Ashland OR

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Randomly arranged street furniture clutters sidewalkRandomly arranged street furniture clutters sidewalk

Silverton OR

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Carefully arranged street furniture leaves sidewalk clearCarefully arranged street furniture leaves sidewalk clear

Washington DC

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The furniture zone matters:The furniture zone matters:

Without it, obstructions block the sidewalkWithout it, obstructions block the sidewalk

Ashland OR

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All the “stuff” goes in the furniture zoneAll the “stuff” goes in the furniture zone

All these things go here!

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Planter strip also helps define driveways, making Planter strip also helps define driveways, making them easier for drivers to findthem easier for drivers to find

Corvallis OR

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Parked cars create a good bufferParked cars create a good buffer(especially on narrow sidewalks)(especially on narrow sidewalks)

Philadelphia PA

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Pedestrian ZonePedestrian Zone

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5 feet (1.5 m) necessary for two people to walk 5 feet (1.5 m) necessary for two people to walk comfortably side by side (or to pass each other)comfortably side by side (or to pass each other)

Henderson, NV

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Width of curbside sidewalk (least desirable) should be measured from back of curb (not face of curb)

A 6’ curbtight sidewalk is nominally a 4’ sidewalk according to AASHTO

Measure from back of curb

AASHTO recommends an extra 2’ buffer6’

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Measure from hereMeasure from here

Independence OR

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““Nominal” Nominal” sw widthsw width

Narrow curbside sidewalk Narrow curbside sidewalk loses part of its usable loses part of its usable

width width Augusta ME

Narrow curbside Narrow curbside sidewalk provides sidewalk provides

no buffer no buffer

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ADA 3’ min clearance is NOT an acceptable S/W widthADA 3’ min clearance is NOT an acceptable S/W width* New guidelines min. clearance = 4’* New guidelines min. clearance = 4’

Salem OR

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Narrow curbside sidewalks are inadequate in commercial Narrow curbside sidewalks are inadequate in commercial areasareas

Reno NV

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A sidewalk should be as wide as needed to serve A sidewalk should be as wide as needed to serve anticipated pedestrian use anticipated pedestrian use (use HCM ped LOS)(use HCM ped LOS)

Salem OR

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Frontage ZoneFrontage Zone

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Shy distance concept applies to pedestrians, who will Shy distance concept applies to pedestrians, who will shy away from a vertical face; extra width is neededshy away from a vertical face; extra width is needed

Reno NV

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The type of fence material impacts pedestrian The type of fence material impacts pedestrian comfort: the sidewalk on the left is wider, but feels comfort: the sidewalk on the left is wider, but feels

constrained because of high chain link fenceconstrained because of high chain link fence

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StreetStreet

ParkingParkingCurb

Zon

e

Curb Z

one

FurnitureFurnitureZoneZone

PedestrianPedestrianZoneZone

Frontage Zone

Frontage Zone

The Zone System - SummaryThe Zone System - Summary

11stst example: residential street example: residential street

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StreetStreet

ParkingParkingCurb Zone

Curb Zone

FurnitureFurnitureZoneZone

PedestrianPedestrianZoneZone

Frontage Zone

Frontage Zone

Washington DC

The Zone System - SummaryThe Zone System - Summary

22ndnd example: commercial street example: commercial street

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Desired clearances should be specified in specsDesired clearances should be specified in specs

2’ recommended

Specifying sidewalk width is not enough:

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Utilities & poles should not obstruct sidewalkUtilities & poles should not obstruct sidewalkLas Vegas NV

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There are simple solutionsThere are simple solutionsSalem OR

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Sidewalk can wrap around poleSidewalk can wrap around pole

Amity OR

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Curbs & drainage are the greatest sidewalk costCurbs & drainage are the greatest sidewalk costGrants Pass OR

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Curbless sidewalks are possibleCurbless sidewalks are possibleAmity OR

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Sidewalk can be placed behind a ditch or Sidewalk can be placed behind a ditch or swaleswale

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This sidewalk cost little to install w/o curbThis sidewalk cost little to install w/o curb

Amity OR

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DrivewaysDriveways

Driveways are the source of Driveways are the source of most conflicts with motor most conflicts with motor

vehicles on sidewalksvehicles on sidewalks

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Driveways built like intersections Driveways built like intersections encourage high-speed turnsencourage high-speed turns

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Driveways built like driveways Driveways built like driveways encourage slow-speed turnsencourage slow-speed turns

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This driveway was built like an intersectionThis driveway was built like an intersectionReno NV

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Driver exits at high speed, not looking at pedestriansDriver exits at high speed, not looking at pedestrians

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ADA requirements for ADA requirements for drivewaysdriveways

A minimum passage of 3’ (soon to be 4’) at 2% A minimum passage of 3’ (soon to be 4’) at 2% max cross-slope must be maintained across max cross-slope must be maintained across drivewaysdriveways

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On wide curbside sidewalks, a level area (3’ min.) behind On wide curbside sidewalks, a level area (3’ min.) behind driveway is maintained driveway is maintained (will increase to 4’)(will increase to 4’)

3’

Portland OR

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Easiest way to maintain level passage

With separated sidewalks

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Separated sidewalk keeps sidewalk level at drivewaysSeparated sidewalk keeps sidewalk level at driveways

Salem OR

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Walking Along the Road Crashes Walking Along the Road Crashes Learning Outcomes:Learning Outcomes:

1.1. Crash Reduction Factors: Crash Reduction Factors:

Rural environmentsRural environments::

Paved shoulders reduce ped crashes up to Paved shoulders reduce ped crashes up to 80%80%

Urban environmentsUrban environments::

Sidewalks reduce ped crashes up to 88%Sidewalks reduce ped crashes up to 88%

(most sidewalk crashes occur at (most sidewalk crashes occur at driveways)driveways)

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Walking Along the Road Crashes Walking Along the Road Crashes Learning Outcomes:Learning Outcomes:

2.2. Sidewalk Design: The zone systemSidewalk Design: The zone system What are the 4 zones?What are the 4 zones?

1. The curb zone

2. The furniture/planter/buffer zone

3. The pedestrian/walking zone

4. The frontage zone

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Walking Along the Road Crashes Walking Along the Road Crashes Learning Outcomes:Learning Outcomes:

3.3. Sidewalk Design: Essential Sidewalk Design: Essential characteristicscharacteristics

How should the walking zone be How should the walking zone be designed?designed?

SmoothSmooth Separated from trafficSeparated from traffic Clear of obstructionsClear of obstructions Level cross-slope (max 2%)Level cross-slope (max 2%)

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Bicyclist Behavior:Bicyclist Behavior:

3 Biking Behaviors:3 Biking Behaviors:• Integrated (vehicular cycling in shared

lanes following same rules as other vehicles)

• Separated (cycling in bike lanes)• Segregated (cycling on facilities

separated from the roadway by curb or other barrier, or on independent path)

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Questions?Questions?