Clear Zone

[renee04]

AASHTO has guidelines for clear zones for cars before they hit something or go over an embankment. I have been searching and haven't found guidelines for a clear zone for pedestrains walking along a sidewalk. The situation is this:

Suppose a person is pushing a baby stoller along a sidewalk. One side is the 4' recommended distance before roadway but the other side has a 1:3 slope to a culvert headwall. Obviously after the headwall it's straight down to the river. In creating our department's guidelines, I am trying to establish a criteria on when a guardrail or fencing would be installed. Any experience or thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[dicksewerrat]

I always use the 42 inch fall as the point you need railings, fencing to protect the public. Remeber you are constructing an 'attractive nuisance'. Or kids will try to look over the egde. When they fall, the lawyers come out of the woodwork. I got this number from the OSHA manual for employee protection. I figured the public is also worth protecting.

 

[gbam]

I am a bit more conservative than dicksewerrat I use the two foot limit. Anything over two feet gets protection. That goes for steep slopes > 2:1.

 

[ACtrafficengr]

Check ADA and your local building codes for requirements for handrails.

 

[Grouser]

Florida Dept. of Transportation uses 10" as threshold dropoff height. I believe slopes steeper than 4:1 need protection. Usually a 1'buffer strip at 4:1 is sufficient.