How can I Identify Problems with Walking Conditions in my Neighborhood?

After reading A Resident’s Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities online, I decided to share a bit of chapter one with my readers sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration.  The full excerpt can also be found at the following web address and is a great resource for families:

http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/ped_cmnity/ped_walkguide/ch1.cfm.

You may be afraid to cross a street to walk to a nearby store, nervous for your children to ride their bikes in your neighborhood, or face obstacles when traveling using a wheelchair or stroller. If you have concerns but are unsure what the problems are, the information in this section can help you identify and describe them.

To be able to walk safely in their community, pedestrians need:

• A safe space to walk—This includes 1) a smooth, unobstructed walking surface at least wide enough for two wheelchairs to pass each other, 2) a sidewalk or path that is separated from traffic, and 3) safe street crossings with appropriate crosswalks, signs, and signals.  In places with slow speeds or very little traffic, a paved shoulder or the roadway itself may be safe enough for walking.  Regardless of where the walkway is, it must be safe for all pedestrians, including children and those with disabilities.

• The ability to see or detect traffic—Pedestrians should also be able to be seen by oncoming vehicles, both day and night.

• Access to sidewalks and crossings—This may include having well-designed curb ramps to ease changes in elevation/grade.

• Enough time to cross streets—Pedestrians should have time to cross at intersections and crossings with or without pedestrian signals. If there are no signals at the crossing, there must be adequate gaps in traffic to safely cross.

• Signs and markings designating the pedestrian route—This includes crosswalk markings, pedestrian way-finding signs, and pedestrian detour signs in construction areas. These signs should be understandable to those with limited English language skills.

• Continuous facilities—The pedestrian network should be free from gaps, obstructions, and abrupt changes in direction or width.