Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access: Part I of II: Review of Existing Guidelines and Practices

Author(s):

United States Department of Transportation

Organization:

United States Department of Transportation

Rating:

Useful

Abstract:

A 5-chapter preparatory volume for the guidelines, Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access, Part 2, developed by FHWA. As well as background material, the book has an extensive bibliography and glossary. From this book the authors have gleaned the information pertinent for Volume 2, Best Practices and Guidelines. However, Chapter 2 of this book, Characteristics of Pedestrians, gives an excellent overview of sidewalk users based on a variety of ability and demographic categories, and in some respects, presents a more accessible description of sidewalk users. The chapter takes a catalogue approach: first you list the category with the common attributes of the group, then list the sub groups with the common attributes of the members of that particular subgroup. For example, Paragraph 2.3. is People with Mobility Impairments. Within that paragraph, Sub-Paragraph 2.3.1.1 is Wheelchair and Scooter Users; Sub-Paragraph 2.3.1.2 is Walking-Aid Users; and 2.3.1.3 is Prosthesis users. Within each sub-section you are told dimensional requirements, functional limitations, etcetera. This cataloguing can be very useful when interested in specific information, and likely of value to designers. The other chapters could be of academic interest to designers, but are presented much better in Volume 2.

Illustrations?

Yes

Material Type:

Book

Key Document?

No

Categories:

Guidelines, Policy, Educational, Advocacy, Planning, Schematic Design

Keywords:

National Design, Existing Practices

Strengths:

• Not a Key Resource, but still recommended for designers, especially Chapter 2.
• Extensive bibliography and glossary.
• Most criteria are given as performance criteria with rationale a part of the accompanying information.

Record Last Updated:

July 2006