Sidewalk
Sidewalk Recommendations
SIDEWALK ZONES (CONTINUED)
Sidewalks are desirable to support pedestrian safety and comfort in areas with a mix of land uses and also in areas of the community where the roadway network connections have generally high traffic volumes or speeds. In lower density areas, there are less
SIDEWALK ZONES
Pedestrian Through Zone The pedestrian through zone is the clear width needed for pedestrian travel activity and should be wide enough for two people to walk side-by- side. • The pedestrian through zone should be at least 5 ft wide. This permits side-by-side walking and meets accessibility guidelines for turning and maneuvering. Furnishing Zone The furnishing zone is closest to the street and provides space for mailboxes, signs, street lighting, and other utilities. This area serves as snow storage areas in winter climates and protects pedestrians from splash during rain events. • A furnishing zone of 4–8 ft is preferred for comfort and aesthetics. This width allows for trees, benches, and other large furnishing items.
competing uses (generally) and may have smaller dimensions than a downtown context. Sidewalks should be physically separated from the roadway by an unpaved buffer separation, barrier or curb edge.
Sidewalks are desirable to support pedestrian safety and comfort in areas with a mix of land uses and also in areas of the community where the roadway network connections have generally high traffic volumes or speeds. Sidewalks serve multiple important functions and should be designed with distinct zones to accommodate these uses. The tables on the following page provide recommended and constrained minimum dimensions for sidewalk elements in lower density areas and the downtown context. Frontage Zone The frontage zone is a shy zone* adjacent to the property line and provides space for people to enter and exit buildings. • Next to buildings with active ground floor uses, the frontage zone may be widened to 2–8 ft to provide room for door swing, café seating, product display, and window shopping. • On most sidewalks, a frontage zone of 1–2 ft allows for shy distance* to fences and building walls. No frontage zone is necessary adjacent to parks or open space.
Frontage Zone
Pedestrian Through Zone 5 ft (1.5 m) min.
Furnishing Zone
Figure 4-14. Sidewalks should be physically separated from the roadway by an unpaved buffer separation, barrier or curb edge.
GEOMETRIC DESIGN
Table 4-3. Minimum recommended dimensions for sidewalks Minimum recommended dimensions for sidewalks in lower density areas from the Small Town and Rural Multimodal Network Design Guide)
Sidewalks serve multiple important functions and should be designed with three distinct zones to accommodate these uses. Table 4-3 provides recommended and constrained minimum dimensions for a sidewalk elements. FRONTAGE ZONE The frontage zone is a shy zone adjacent to the property line and provides space for people to enter and exit buildings. • Next to buildings with active ground floor uses, the frontage zone may be widened to 4–6 ft to provide room for door swing, café seating, product display, and window shopping. • On most sidewalks, a frontage zone of 1–2 ft (0.3–0.6 m) allows for shy distance to fences and building walls.
Volume And User Mix
Frontage Zone
Pedestrian Through Zone
Furnishing Zone Total Width
Constrained Minimum
1 ft (0.3 m) 5 ft (1.2 m)
2 ft (0.6 m)
8 ft (2.4 m)
Recommended Minimum
2 ft (0.6 m) 6 ft (1.5 m)
4 ft (1.2 m)
12 ft (3.6 m)
PEDESTRIAN THROUGH ZONE The pedestrian through zone is the clear width needed for pedestrian travel activity and should be wide enough for two people to walk side-by- side. • The pedestrian through zone should be at least 5 ft (1.5 m) wide. This permits side-by-side walking and meets accessibility guidelines for turning and maneuvering. (ii)
FURNISHING ZONE The furnishing zone is closest to the street and provides space for mailboxes, signs, street lighting, and other utilities. This area serves as snow storage areas in winter climates and protects pedestrians from splash during rain events. • A furnishing zone of 4–6 ft (1.2–1.8 m) is preferred for comfort and aesthetics. This width allows for trees, benches, and other large furnishing items. (iii)
In commercial areas or a denser environment such as downtown Fuquay and downtown Varina, sidewalk zones can also vary. The graphic/table below and to the right highlight general parameters.
Parking Lane/Enhancement Zone In a downtown context, the enhancement zone may add additional space to the pedestrian realm in the form of curb extensions, parklets, bicycle corrals or other features. The enhancement zone may occupy a parking lane or shoulder.
No frontage zone is necessary adjacent to parks or open space.
*Shy zone/distance refers to the space that pedestrians instinctively avoid along fixed objects or curb that is adjacent to a sidewalk.
Parking Lane/ Enhancement Zone
Street Classification
Furnishing Zone
Pedestrian Through Zone
Frontage Zone
Figure 4-15. Sidewalks on roads with curbs may feature an unpaved or paved furnishing zone separation (left), or may be constructed with curb a gutter, immediately adjacent to the roadway (right). Offering separation from the roadway is preferred in most areas for user comfort and design flexibility at intersections.
Downtown commercial areas
7-10 feet
6-8 feet
6-12 ft
2 - 8 ft
4-21
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FUQUAY-VARINA PEDESTRIAN PLAN
CHAPTER 3: INFRASTRUCTURE RECOMMENDATIONS
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