BY P.FURTH · PUBLISHED APRIL 25, 2012 · UPDATED DECEMBER 8, 2020
By: Emily Boley.
Sidewalks consist of three zones:
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| Sidewalk Zoneshttp://g.co/maps/pzzst |
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.