Sidewalk treatments

Where possible, sidewalks should be set back from the edge of the circulatory roadway in order to discourage pedestrians from crossing to the central island, particularly when an apron is present or a monument on the central island. Equally important, the design should help pedestrians with visual impairments to recognize that they should not attempt to cross streets from corner to corner but at designated crossing points. To achieve these goals, the sidewalk should be designed so that pedestrians will be able to clearly find the intended path to the crosswalks. A recommended set back distance of 1.5 m (5 ft) (minimum 0.6 m [2 ft]) should be used, and the area between the sidewalk and curb can be planted with low shrubs or grass (see Chapter 7). Exhibit 6-40 shows this technique.