19.3.1 Characteristics Contributing to Pedestrian Comfort and Safety Along the Roadway
A variety of roadway characteristics impact pedestrian safety and the user experience for the pedestrians walking along the roadway. Note that the impact of these characteristics on crossings are addressed in subsequent sections.
- Presence of a sidewalk. Pedestrians are approximately 2.5x more likely to be involved in a crash when there is no sidewalk provided.
- Speed of motor vehicle traffic. Pedestrian fatalities rise exponentially as vehicular crash speeds increase. Pedestrians also experience a decrease in comfort when walking adjacent to high-speed motor vehicle traffic. Pedestrian comfort and safety can be increased by increasing the width of the buffer zone and/or providing some type of vertical separation such as plantings. A row of parked vehicles between the sidewalk and the roadway also serves to improve pedestrian comfort.
- Volume of motor vehicle traffic. Higher motor vehicle volumes also decrease pedestrian comfort along the roadway, especially when operating at speeds above 20 mph. Similar options for separation as described above should be considered when designing sidewalks on higher volume roadways.
- Vehicle type. Similarly, a higher percentage of heavy vehicles on the adjacent roadway can decrease pedestrian comfort. Providing greater distance from the roadway or vertical elements may increase comfort.