Designing for Pedestrians: Information and Resources
With so many guidelines, manuals, policies, and standards at both the state and federal level, it is sometimes difficult to sort out which of these apply to your project. This page is designed to answer the most frequently asked questions and provide a list of useful resources.
If you find that the information you need is not provided by this Web site, please contact WSDOT's Bicycle and Pedestrian Program at 360.705.258 or e-mail Reevesp@wsdot.wa.gov for additional information.
Must bicycle and pedestrian facilities be included in all projects?
Both FHWA and WSDOT require that bicycle and pedestrian facilities be included in new construction and reconstruction projects in all urbanized areas absent exceptional circumstances. For more information see FHWA Policy, WSDOT's Pedestrian Guidance (pdf 1.2 mb) and WSDOT's Bicycle Guidance (pdf 1.3 mb)
What design standards apply to projects?
The FHWA Federal-Aid Policy Guide provides that the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities (pdf 2.4 mb) or equivalent guides developed in cooperation with State and local officials, such as WSDOT's Pedestrian Design Guidance, (pdf 1.2 mb) will serve as the standard for construction and design of pedestrian facilities.
The purpose for both the AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities and WSDOT's Bicycle and Pedestrian Design Guidance is to provide uniform minimum standards and criteria for the design and construction of pedestrian and bicycle facilities. These standards also apply to local roadways. However, some local jurisdictions have adopted their own standards that add to the AASHTO or WSDOT Guidance.
List of Primary Design Resources
Context Sensitive Design
Roads and highways play a significant role in the quality of our communities, making transportation design a key component of good design and development. WSDOT provides "context-sensitive" highway and roadway design to ensure that all road design considers an area's built and natural landscape; takes into account the environmental, scenic, aesthetic, historic, community, and preservation impacts of a road project; and accomodates more than just automobiles, but other modes of transportation including bicycles, pedestrians, and mass transit.
List of Other Design Information and Resources
Links to Good Information From Other States
Additionally, bicycle related organizations and advocacy groups may have information and resources you are looking for. See the Organizations and Resources webpage for a list of these groups.
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