Roadside Cafe Seating
Roadside Cafe Seating
(OP)
What kind of clear zone guidlines are there for roadside seating at a cafe? We have a 25mph posted speed limit with vertical curb face with a 12' sidewalk on the back of curb. Can we have seating on the 12' sidewalk? AASHTO says to keep a minimum of 18" from the face of the curb for clear zone but I am feeling uneasy about this. Any suggestions? Thank you for the help in advance.





RE: Roadside Cafe Seating
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FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Roadside Cafe Seating
IR's right, you need to keep an accessible route open. Say 3' for utility poles, signs, etc, and a 5 ft accessible route. That leaves 4' for tables.
How well do drivers obey the speed limit? How wide is the street? If any vehicle encroachment is likely to be low speed and low angle, I'd be fairly comfortable.
On a wide street, with higher speeds and vehicles potentially veering across the road and hitting the curb at a higher angle, there are greater chances of a vehicle hitting the diners.
Take a look at the crash history. If there are a lot of people striking the curb in the area, it may not be a good idea. If speeds are low and there is no adverse safety history, it might be a good addition to the neighborhood.
RE: Roadside Cafe Seating
http://www.ehow.com/about_5561359_ada-standards-si...
http://www.ada.gov/pcatoolkit/chap6toolkit.htm#fn3
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FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Roadside Cafe Seating
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/programadmin/clearzone.cfm
So, the clear zone would at least be 7ft. from the travel lane (up to 16 ft. depending on ADT etc). Is there delineated parking or shoulder on the street? If so, the clear zone may fall within that area.
RE: Roadside Cafe Seating
My understanding of the 18" offset between the face of curb and fixed objects is more so people can open car doors, rear view mirrors don't strike the objects, and similar practical matters, rather than safety.
As TerryScan said, a standard height curb will rarely redirect a vehicle. When it does, it's often the left side tires that actually get redirected.