Sidewalks and Shared-Use Paths: Safety, Security, and Maintenance
Date
2008-06-18T14:24:06Z
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Abstract
Part I of this report examines the issue of security by analyzing common security incidents on
trail or sidewalk facilities, problems with perceptions of security among users and the public, and
vandalism-related facilities. As two interviewees noted, there is no way to ensure total security
on trail facilities, but governments and agencies can enhance security (Bustos; G. Smith). Secure
facilities are those that reduce the risk of security incidents and the fear of potential incidents
through educational efforts directed at users, design, and management policies that increase the
number of users on the facility and provide adequate visibility.
The issue of safety is explored through several different viewpoints in this report. Safe sidewalks
and shared-use paths are designed and managed to reduce the risk of injury to pedestrians and
other users of the facility. This means safe facilities are constructed and maintained to provide a
safe environment for all ages and skill levels. Part II of this report, the safety section, examines
common problems plaguing the current sidewalk and shared-use path system: facilities that are
not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and are difficult for older and
disabled individuals to travel on; design flaws or policies (or lack thereof) that increase the
chances of user conflicts (i.e., bicycle-on-bicycle collisions or bicycle and pedestrian collisions);
and conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians.
The issue of maintenance is related to both the security and safety of facilities. Maintained
facilities are in good repair, accessible, and regularly inspected. Part III of the paper explores
routine maintenance tasks and the use of volunteers and equipment and also specifically
addresses the problem of snow removal on sidewalks and shared-use paths. Additional attention
is given to the problem of sidewalk repairs and long-term maintenance needs. Unsurprisingly,
both the interviews and literature review revealed that the higher the quality of initial design and
construction, the less maintenance the facility will require.
Description
Keywords
sidewalks, shared-use, paths, bikepaths, pedestrian, cyclists, walkers, infrastructure, transportation, mobility