Section 10-A410. T-2.4 PEDESTRIAN ACCESS, FACILITIES, AND SAFETY

 

410.1The District’s population density, interconnected grid of streets, wide sidewalks, and renowned park system have long contributed to a favorable environment for walking. In 2000 nearly 31,000 District residents (12 percent of the city’s labor force) walked to work. 410.1

 

410.2The District has more than 1,600 miles of sidewalks. However, there are still streets without sidewalks and a backlog of sidewalks needing repair. Pedestrian safety is also a big challenge. There are roughly 550 collisions between cars and pedestrians in the city each year. 410.2

 

410.3Improvements to pedestrian facilities can enhance the quality of the walking and public transit environments, and foster greater use of both modes. Improvements should focus on reductions in the number and severity of pedestrian-vehicle conflict points, clarified pedestrian routing, widened sidewalks, and improved aesthetic features such as landscaping. 410.3

 

410.4Encouraging walking will bring many benefits to the District. It will provide convenient and affordable transportation options, reduce vehicular-travel and related pollution, and improve the health and fitness of District residents. 410.4

 

410.5Policy T-2.4.1: Pedestrian Network

 

Develop, maintain, and improve pedestrian facilities. Improve the city’s sidewalk system to form a network that links residents across the city. 410.5

 

410.6Policy T-2.4.2: Pedestrian Safety

 

Improve safety and security at key pedestrian nodes throughout the city. Use a variety of techniques to improve pedestrian safety, including textured or clearly marked and raised pedestrian crossings, pedestrian-actuated signal push buttons, and pedestrian count-down signals. 410.6

 

See also Action T-1.1.A on developing multi-modal transportation measures of effectiveness, and the Educational Facilities Element for recommendations on the Safe Routes to School program.

 

410.7Policy T-2.4.3: Traffic Calming

 

Continue to address traffic-related safety issues through carefully considered traffic calming measures. 410.7

 

410.8Policy T-2.4.4: Sidewalk Obstructions

 

Locate sidewalk cafes and other intrusions into the sidewalk so that they do not present impediments to safe and efficient pedestrian passage. Maintain sidewalk surfaces and elevations so that disabled or elderly pedestrians can safely use them. 410.8

 

410.9Action T-2.4.A: Pedestrian Signal Timings

 

Review timing on pedestrian signals to ensure that adequate time is provided for crossing, in particular for locations with a large elderly population. 410.9

 

410.10  Action T-.2.4.B:  Sidewalks

 

Install sidewalks on streets throughout the District to improve pedestrian safety, access, and connectivity.  Continue to monitor the sidewalk network for needed improvements. Consult with ANCs and community organizations as plans for sidewalk construction are developed.  All sidewalks shall be constructed in conformance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines.

 

410.11Action T-2.4.C: Innovative Technologies for Pedestrian Movement

 

Explore the use of innovative technology to improve pedestrian movement, such as personal transportation systems and enhanced sidewalk materials. 410.11

 

410.12Action T-2.4.D: Pedestrian Access on Bridges

 

Ensure that the redesign and/or reconstruction of bridges, particularly those crossing the Anacostia River, includes improved provisions for pedestrians, including wider sidewalks, adequate separation between vehicle traffic and sidewalks, guard rails, pedestrian-scaled lighting, and easy grade transitions.

 

Encouraging walking will bring many benefits to the District. It will provide convenient and affordable transportation options, reduce vehicular travel and related pollution, and improve the health and fitness of District residents. 410.12

 

410.13 Action T-2.4.E:  Pedestrian Master Plan

 

Implement the recommendations of the Pedestrian Master Plan to improve accessibility, connectivity, and safety for pedestrians throughout the District.

 

authority

Pursuant to the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1-306.01 et seq.), the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital: District Elements of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (10 DCMR A300 through A2520) (“Comprehensive Plan”).

source

Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300) published at 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007); as amended by the Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361) published at 58 DCR 908, 913 (February 4, 2011).

notation

The provisions of Title 10, Part A of the DCMR accessible through this web interface are codification of the District Elements of the Comprehensive Plan for the National Capital. As such, they do not represent the organic provisions adopted by the Council of the District of Columbia. The official version of the District Elements only appears as a hard copy volume of Title 10, Part A published pursuant to section 9a of the District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1994, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; D.C. Official Code § 1 -301.66)) . In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions accessible through this site and the provisions contained in the published version of Title 10, Part A, the provisions contained in the published version govern. A copy of the published District Elements is available www.planning.dc.gov.