Sidewalks - Vision Zero Toolbox

Purpose sw1.png

Sidewalks provide space along a street for pedestrian travel that is separated from moving vehicles.

Description

Sidewalks provide the greatest benefit to people when they are wide enough for two people to walk or roll side-by-side, maintained in good condition with minimal to no bumps or cracks (and with no cracks or bumps of 1/4 inch height or greater, per ADA Standards), kept clear of debris and overgrowing plants, and are built with curbs.

Safety Benefits

  • Improves safety and comfort of people walking or rolling by separating pedestrians from people moving faster on bikes or in cars.
  • Provides space for utilities, signs, and amenities such as bus shelters or waiting areas, bicycle parking, public seating, public art, newspaper stands, trash and recycling receptacles, and landscaping elements.
  • Makes walking an easy choice between destinations by creating a network for pedestrian travel.

     

Street Types and Context

Applicable Street Types

All street types except controlled access

Other Location Guidance 

Sidewalks should be placed on both sides of the street. On local streets where right-of-way is limited, a sidewalk may be placed on only one side of the street that provides the most connectivity.

Primary User Groups

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Key Implementation Considerations

  • The design must accommodate pedestrians with disabilities and should be part of an ADA compliant pathway. All new and reconstructed sidewalks and curb ramps should comply with ADA regulations.
  • Sidewalks should be a minimum of 5 feet. Six-foot minimum width is preferred to allow for passing of people using wheelchairs. The widths of sidewalks will vary based on context and expected pedestrian volumes.
  • Most sidewalks should be designed with curbs to elevate pedestrians from the roadway.
  • When feasible include a buffer zone between the street and the sidewalk to separates drivers from pedestrians. Utilities, traffic control devices, trees, and furniture can be placed in this buffer zone. There may be no buffer zone in constrained areas.
  • Construction of new sidewalks where they are not already present is a major undertaking. There are multiple programs that implement sidewalks throughout the County, including the Neighborhood Complete Streets Program, Arlington Neighborhoods Program, the Complete Streets Capital Portfolio, and other capital programs.

Expected Crash Reduction

88% for pedestrian crashes, as compared to a site without a sidewalk (McMahon et al., 2002)

74% for pedestrian crashes, as compared to a site without a sidewalk (Gan et al., 2005)

Cost

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New sidewalks cost can vary based on the length, material, and presence of curbs. Construction of significant lengths of new sidewalks is typically among the higher cost safety treatments available.

Timeline

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Timeline varies from less than one year for simple spot sidewalk section installation or maintenance to three or more years for large or complex projects.

References

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