Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Sidewalk Buffer Zones

By: Emily Boley

Sidewalks consist of three zones:  
Sidewalk Zones



















1. Edge zone on the building side
2. Walking zone
3. Edge zone on the street side


Distinct Zones
As seen pictured above and below, sometimes these three zones are paved with different materials to make them more distinct. If created with enough width, the third, edge zone can be considered a buffer between the pedestrian on the sidewalk and the potential traffic danger and noise in the street (motor vehicles, bikes, etc.). This buffer zone can be filled various items.
 

A distinct buffer zone paved with cobble stones, separated from the walking zone with granite, wide enough to contain trees, light poles, benches and vertical separation from the street
http://g.co/maps/hke9m

Brick walking zone and concrete street side buffer zone
http://g.co/maps/hgrwn










































Trees and Planting Strips
The buffer zone can be filled with trees, which are not only beneficial to the environment, but can also offer shade to pedestrians. 
Buffer zone planted with trees
http://g.co/maps/3nu7p





















Planting strip
http://g.co/maps/7pbh8




 



















Far wider planting strips providing more green space and separation from the street
http://g.co/maps/27tqc



























Other Buffer Zone Objects
The buffer zone can be used as a planting strip for trees, but signs, poles, benches, trashcans, parking meters, and so on, can too be placed here when they might otherwise enter the walking zone.

Benches, trash cans, trees, bikes, light poles
http://g.co/maps/htb6c


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
T signs, electrical poles
http://g.co/maps/h3bte
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Parking meters, signs
http://g.co/maps/cx5t4
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trees, signs, meters
http://g.co/maps/pa9kv
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trees, hydrants, parking meters
http://g.co/maps/jgtrh
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mailboxes, signs, light poles
http://g.co/maps/y7jjf
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Driveways and Curb Ramps
This buffer zone offers space for driveway and curb ramps such that they don’t interfere with the pedestrian’s walking zone.

Sloped driveway in buffer zone
http://g.co/maps/ve28c


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sudden Turn Into The Street
The buffer zone helps to avoid a pedestrian’s ‘sudden turn’ into the street. It allows them space to stop and look before entering the street and time for the oncoming traffic to see them before they do so.

Space to stop and look before entering street
http://g.co/maps/74pxa

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bad Buffer Zones
While there are benefits to having a buffer zone, a sidewalk can be laid out such that items that might serve as protection from the street or offer shade begin to impede pedestrians.

Electrical boxes
http://g.co/maps/kumnu


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trees, poles, signs, meters
http://g.co/maps/ynj87
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
If the buffer zone is not wide enough, a pedestrian may have to walk suddenly into the street.

Skinny sidewalk without buffer zone
http://g.co/maps/zma8z


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Skinny sidewalk without buffer zone
http://g.co/maps/vyz52
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Skinny sidewalk with meter in buffer zone forces pedestrian into the street
http://g.co/maps/rc57d
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

If a sidewalk has a substantial enough buffer zone between the walking zone and street, it can offer safety, green space, shade, a place for signs, and various other objects. If not, it can pose a sometimes dangerous and unpleasant experience for pedestrians.

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