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Sidewalks <br />Design Guidelines <br />1) Sidewalks and other pedestrian improvements <br />are vital to the function of arterial and collector <br />streets designed for multi -modal use. Walking can <br />serve as a sole transportation mode or function as <br />a link in a multi -modal trip. Sidewalks promote <br />transit use by providing the link from home to bus' <br />(and vice versa). Sidewalks provide critical access <br />to all properties; commercial, residential, indus- <br />trial and public. <br />2) Sidewalks and other pedestrian improvements <br />are essential components of all new street <br />projects as well as major reconstruction projects. <br />3) Setback sidewalks on both sides of the street <br />are the preferred pedestrian design choice for <br />arterial and collector streets. Setback sidewalks: <br />a) provide for physical separation of pedestri- <br />ans from vehicle traffic, an important consid- <br />eration where pedestrians must walk next to <br />higher speed traffic, <br />b) provide a safe and comfortable environ- <br />ment for pedestrians, <br />c) provide a safe and comfortable environ- <br />ment for motorists by fully separating pedes- <br />trians from vehicles, <br />d) provide for compatibility with Americans <br />with Disability Act requirements for curb <br />ramps and driveway aprons, <br />e) provide space between the sidewalk and the - <br />curb for street trees, and landscaping plantings, <br />f) provide a distinct green edge to the street, <br />further distinguishing the different uses of the <br />street and contributing to traffic calming by <br />presenting a more attractive area of travel, <br />4) Alternating setback and curbside sidewalks or <br />meandering sidewalks are an acceptable design <br />alternative in areas where constraints (like <br />significant trees and other natural features) and <br />right-of-way limitations exist. In such places, on - <br />street parking or bicycle lanes mitigate the <br />negative impacts of curbside sidewalks. <br />5) Sidewalks should be located on both sides of <br />arterial and collector streets. Where sidewalks <br />exist on only one side of the street, access to <br />transit is difficult and pedestrian safety as well as <br />motorist comfort is compromised by requiring the <br />pedestrian to cross the street to gain access to a <br />sidewalk. This is particularly true on arterial and <br />collector streets that have higher traffic volumes <br />that move at higher speeds. <br />Missing sidewalk segment makes access to transit <br />difficult <br />