Pedestrian Planning
and Design
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Why should we accommodate
bicycles and pedestrians?
 Bicycles are legally considered to be vehicles, with
the right to use roadways
 There are 9 million bike trips and 56 million walking
trips in the U. S. everyday
 One in ten U. S. households do not own an
automobile
 1/3 of the population do not drive an automobile
References: Uniform Vehicle Code, 1995 National Personal Transportation Survey (NPTS), 1990 US Census
FHWA Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation
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Why should we accommodate
bicycles and pedestrians?
 Lifestyle
 Safety
References: Uniform Vehicle Code, 1995 National Personal Transportation Survey (NPTS), 1990 US Census
FHWA Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation
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Why Consider Pedestrians
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FHWA Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation
Pedestrian Crash Statistics
 1999 – 4906 pedestrians killed (11.8% of traffic
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fatalities)
85,000 injured or killed
Highest crash involved for pedestrian 5 to 9
year old males
Speed was contributing factor in 30% of fatal
crashes
A pedestrian struck at 40 mph has 85% chance
of being killed
45% at 30 mph
5% at 20 mph
Pedestrian Facilities Users
Guide (FHWA, 2002)
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Pedestrian Crashes
 Highest during morning and evening
(corresponds to peak period)
 Fatal crashes 5 to 11 pm – darkness and
alcohol are a factor
 86% urban, 14% rural
 65% at non intersections
Pedestrian Facilities Users
Guide (FHWA, 2002)
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ADA
 All new construction or retro fit projects
must include curb ramps that comply
with ADA requirements
 Should review existing street system to
identify barriers
Pedestrian Facilities Users
Guide (FHWA, 2002)
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Pedestrian Safety Improvements
 Provision of pedestrian facilities, such as sidewalks and
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crosswalks.
Roadway and engineering measures, such as traffic
control devices, lighting, and roadway design strategies
Programs to enforce existing traffic laws and ordinances
for motorists (e.g., obeying speed limits, yielding to
pedestrians)
Forgiving vehicle designs that minimize pedestrian injury
from vehicle impact
Education programs provided to motorists and
pedestrians.
Pedestrian Facilities Users
Guide (FHWA, 2002)
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Sidewalk Design
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Sidewalks
 Pedestrian lanes – space to travel within the public
right of way
 ITE recommend a minimum width of 5 feet for a
sidewalk (allows 2 people to comfortably pass
 Wider in high pedestrian areas
Pedestrian Facilities Users
Guide (FHWA, 2002)
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Color Images: http://www.pedbikeimages.org
Sidewalk Design
 Minimum width: 5’ recommended by AASHTO
 Minimum clear path of travel: 36”
 Desired running slope: no more than 5%
 Maximum grade of a ramp: 8.3%
 Minimum cross slope: 2%
 Firm, smooth, slip resistant surfaces
References: AASHTO Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets, Americans with Disabilities
Act Accessibility Guidelines
FHWA Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation
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Sidewalks
 Grade should be <= 5%
 Also depends on roadway alignment
 Maximum cross-slope is 2%
Pedestrian Facilities Users
Guide (FHWA, 2002)
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Sidewalks
Pedestrian Facilities Users
Guide (FHWA, 2002)
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Sidewalks
 Provide 4 to 6 foot buffer zone from street
Pedestrian Facilities Users
Guide (FHWA, 2002)
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Color Images: http://www.pedbikeimages.org
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FHWA Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation
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FHWA Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation
Crosswalk
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Marked Crosswalks
 Indicate preferred locations for
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pedestrians
Designate ROW for motorists to
yield
Be convient for pedestrian
access
Markings alone are unlikely to
benefit pedestrian safety
More effective with other
measures such as curb
extensions especially on high
volume roadways
Pedestrian Facilities Users
Guide (FHWA, 2002)
FHWA Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation
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Marked Crosswalks
Pedestrian Facilities Users
Guide (FHWA, 2002)
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Image source: Phoenix School Safety Program Update, Michael J. Cynecki, Jenny L. Grote,
and Brandon Forrey. ITE Annual Meeting, 2004.)
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Marked Crosswalks
 Should not be used:
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Speed limit > 40 mph
4 or more lane roadway with no median or
crossing island when AADT > 12,000
4 or more lane roadway with raised median
or crossing island if AADT > 15,000
Pedestrian Facilities Users
Guide (FHWA, 2002)
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Underpasses/Overpasses
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Overpasses/Underpasses
 Grade separated
crossing
 Expensive
 Pedestrians will not
use if easier route is
available
 Needs appropriate
ramps to
accommodate
disabled
Pedestrian Facilities Users
Guide (FHWA, 2002)
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FHWA Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation
Driveways
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Driveways Improvement
 Problematic
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Excessively wide or sloped driveways
Large turning radii
Multiple driveways
Driveways not well defined
Non level sidewalks
Pedestrian Facilities Users
Guide (FHWA, 2002)
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Driveway
 Narrowing or closing
driveways
 Reducing turning
radii
 Provide median
dividers for wide
driveways
 Maintain sidewalk at
no more than 2%
sideslope
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Driveway Design
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FHWA Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation
Raised Median
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Raised Medians
 Barriers serve as place of refuge
midblock
 With landscaping can calm traffic
 Replace center turn lanes and
pedestrian conflicts
Pedestrian Facilities Users
Guide (FHWA, 2002)
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FHWA Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation
Accommodating Pedestrians
with Disabilities
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FHWA Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation
Intersection Design for
Pedestrians
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FHWA Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation
Intersection Curb Radius
Reduction
 Wide radius results in high speed turn
 Longer walking distance
 Narrowing radius reduces speed for
vehicles and walking distance for
pedestrian
 For new construction – 15 ft and arterials
– 25 feet
Pedestrian Facilities Users
Guide (FHWA, 2002)
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FHWA Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation
Curb Ramps
 Provide access between
sidewalk and roadways
for mobility impaired
pedestrians
 Must be installed at
intersections and
midblock locations where
pedestrian crossing exist
 Wheelchair ramp slopes
less than 1:12 with side
slope of 1:10
Pedestrian Facilities Users
Guide (FHWA, 2002)
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Curb Ramps
 Designed with ADA
guidelines
 Texture patterns
must be detectable
to blind pedestrians
 Should provide direct
access
Pedestrian Facilities Users
Guide (FHWA, 2002)
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Shared Use Path Design
(also termed Multi-Use Trails
and Bike Paths)
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Other
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Pedestrian Facility Design Resources
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Design and Safety of Pedestrian Facilities, A Recommended Practice, 1998. Institute of
Transportation Engineers, 525 School Street, S.W, Suite 410, Washington, DC 20024-2729,
Phone: (202) 554-8050.
Pedestrian Compatible Roadways-Planning and Design Guidelines, 1995. Bicycle /
Pedestrian Transportation Master Plan, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advocate, New Jersey
Department of Transportation, 1035 Parkway Avenue, Trenton, NJ 08625, Phone: (609) 5304578.
Improving Pedestrian Access to Transit: An Advocacy Handbook, 1998. Federal Transit
Administration / WalkBoston. NTIS, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161.
Planning and Implementing Pedestrian Facilities in Suburban and Developing Rural Areas,
Report No. 294A, Transportation Research Board, Box 289, Washington, DC 20055, Phone:
(202) 334-3214.
Pedestrian Facilities Guidebook, 1997. Washington State Department of Transportation,
Bicycle and Pedestrian Program, P.O. Box 47393, Olympia, WA 98504.
Portland Pedestrian Design Guide, 1998. Portland Pedestrian Program, 1120 SW Fifth Ave,
Room 802; Portland, OR 97210. (503) 823-7004.
* Implementing Pedestrian Improvements at the Local Level, 1999. FHWA, HSR 20, 6300
Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA .
* AASHTO Guide to the Development of Pedestrian Facilities, 2000. AASHTO. (currently
under discussion)
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FHWA Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation
Bicycle and Pedestrian Design Resources
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Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, 1995. Oregon Department of Transportation, Bicycle
and Pedestrian Program, Room 210, Transportation Building, Salem, OR 97310, Phone:
(503) 986-3555
Improving Conditions for Bicyclists and Pedestrians, A Best Practices Report, 1998. FHWA,
HEP 10, 400 Seventh Street SW, Washington, DC 20590.
Traffic Calming Design Resources
Traffic Calming: State of the Practice. 1999. Institute of Transportation Engineers, 525
School Street, SW, Suite 410; Washington, DC 20024.
Florida Department of Transportation's Roundabout Guide. Florida Department of
Transportation, 605 Suwannee St., MS-82, Tallahassee, FL 23299-0450.
National Bicycling and Walking Study. Case Study # 19, Traffic Calming and Auto-Restricted
Zones and other Traffic Management Techniques-Their Effects on Bicycling and
Pedestrians, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
Traffic Calming (1995), American Planning Association, 122 South Michigan Avenue,
Chicago, IL 60603
Traditional Neighborhood Development Street Design Guidelines, 1997. Proposed
Recommended Practice, Institute of Transportation Engineers, 525 School Street, SW, Suite
410; Washington, DC 20024.
Making Streets that Work, City of Seattle, 600 Fourth Ave., 12th Floor, Seattle, WA 981041873, Phone: (206) 684-4000, Fax: (206) 684-5360.
Traffic Control Manual for In-Street Work, 1994. Seattle Engineering Department, City of
Seattle, 600 4th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104-6967, Phone: (206) 684-5108.
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Trail Design Resources
 Trails for the 21st Century, 1993. Rails to Trails Conservancy, 1100 17th
Street NW, 10th Floor, Washington DC 20036. (202) 331-9696.
 Greenways: A Guide to Planning, Design, and Development, 1993. The
Conservation Fund. Island Press, 1718 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite
300; Washington, DC 20009.
 Trail Intersection Design Guidelines, 1996. Florida Department of
Transportation, 605 Suwannee St., MS-82, Tallahassee, FL 232990450.
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FHWA Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation
ADA-related Design Resources
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Accessible Pedestrian Signals, 1998. U.S. Access Board 1331 F Street NW,
Suite 1000; Washington, DC 20004. (800) 872-2253.
Accessible Rights of Way: A Design Manual,1999. U.S. Access Board, 1331 F
Street NW, Suite 1000; Washington, DC 20004. (800) 872-2253.
Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access, Part One. 1999. FHWA, HEPH-30,
400 Seventh Street SW, Washington, DC 20590.
ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities, 1998 (ADAAG). U.S.
Access Board, 1331 F Street NW, Suite 1000; Washington, DC 20004. (800)
872-2253.
Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards, 1984 (UFAS), available from the U.S.
Access Board, 1331 F Street NW, Suite 1000; Washington, DC 20004. (800)
872-2253
Universal Access to Outdoor Recreation: A Design Guide, 1993. PLAE, Inc, MIG
Communications, 1802 Fifth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710. (510) 845-0953.
Recommended Street Design Guidelines for People Who Are Blind or Visually
Impaired. American Council of the Blind, 1155 15th Street NW, Suite 720;
Washington, DC 20005. (202) 467-5081.
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FHWA Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation