Promoting Non-motorised Transport in Asian Cities

• Pedestrian crossings would include
• Removing the slight drop (25 mm) from the
footpath to the road and providing tactile to
indicate the edge of the road for the visually
impaired
• Thickening road crossing lines to guide the
visually impaired to walk within the designated
crossings
• Installing vibrating push button (with audio
alert) at traffic signal posts to help the visually
impaired
• Providing at grade road level crossings where
traffic conditions permit
5. In Hong Kong, the provision of pedestrian facilities
and the prioritization of pedestrians have both
been integrated in the determination of the scale,
location and site requirements of various land uses
and facilities. The Hong Kong Planning Standards
and Guidelines provide guidance on how pedestrian
facilities should be integrated in planning structures,
such as industrial estates, science parks, shopping
areas, public transport facilities and interchanges,
ferry terminals and even roads and highways.
These also provide specific guidelines on how to
determine the streets suitable for pedestrianization.
The guidelines for cycling, vehicle parking and for
general urban design are centered on pedestrians.
Design codes should match the transport policy and
protect and prioritize vulnerable sectors of society in
the transport system. The India pedestrian design code
developed in 1988 was revised recently to prioritize
pedestrian movement and to be consistent with the
national Urban Transport Policy (see table below).
Old Code (IRC103-1988) Common Practice New Revised Code IRC 103-2012
Footpaths should have a minimum
width of 1.5m on both sides. The LOS
(Level of Service) concept dictates the
maximum width. The result of such a
school of thought is that pedestrians
are provided only a minority share of
space (most often less than 10% of
road space) and in many instances no
space at all.
A minimum of 1.8m (width) by 2.2m
(height) walking zone should be
clear of all obstructions. A minimum
width of 1.8m for roads of right
of way of 10m and 1.5m for roads
with right of way less than 10m. LOS
dictates maximum width (LOSB) is
recommended.
Dead (unused) width of 0.5m and
1m to be added to sidewalks running
alongside houses and commercial
areas.
An additional dead width to be
added based on landuse stipulations
(as mentioned below). For resedential
area it is 0.5m, commercial area
is 1m.
For example a footpath in busy
commercial area would have 4+1m =
5m width.
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