19.11 Railings Adjacent to Steep Slopes
In some instances, there may be steep slopes adjacent to the walkway if the roadway is elevated relative to the adjacent roadside, next to an open drainage ditch, or on an approach to a highway bridge. In these situations, engineering judgment should be used to assess the need for a physical barrier such as a railing or fence to separate pedestrians from the adjacent drop-off. Depending upon the height of the embankment, the slope of the adjacent roadside, and the conditions at the bottom of the slope, barriers or rails are recommended if any of the following situations occur within 2-ft of the edge of the sidewalk (see
to
):
- Slopes between 1V:3H and 1V:2H, with a drop of 6-ft or greater ( );
- Slopes of between 1V:3H and 1V:2H, adjacent to a parallel body of water of 2-ft or greater depth, or other substantial obstacle ( );
- Slopes of between 1V:2H and 1V:1H, with a drop of 4-ft or greater ( ); or
- Slopes of 1V:1H or steeper, with a drop of 1-ft or greater ( ).
Railings used for drop-off protection should be 42-in minimum height. Railing construction should be consistent with the
per TxDOT’s
.
Figure 19-42: Slopes Between 1V: 3H and 1V:2H With a Drop of 6-ft or Greater.
Figure 19-43: Slopes of Between 1V:3H and 1V:2H, Adjacent to a Parallel Body of Water or Other Substantial Obstacle.
Figure 19-44: Slopes of Between 1V:2H and 1V:1H, with a Drop of 4-ft or Greater.
Figure 19-45: Slopes of 1V:1H or Steeper, with a Drop of 1-ft or Greater.