Pedestrian Safety Guide and Countermeasure Selection System
An example of a crosswalk closure/ pedestrian detour, from ATSSA ‘Pedestrian Safety and Accessibility in Work Zones’.
Pedestrian detours can be used to protect the safety of pedestrians in work zones, and ensure they are not led into conflicts with work site vehicles or other motorists. All detours should seek to provide a safe, convenient, and accessible path that as closely as possible replicates the existing sidewalk(s) or footpath(s).
When using detours, advanced notification of the closure/detour should be provided, as well as channelizing devices to delineate the temporary route. This allows pedestrians to make timely decisions about routes through or around the work zone using the detour. The detour should be clearly defined, and minimize any additional time and distance the pedestrian must travel. Signs should be placed at intersections, rather than mid-block, to avoid mid-block crossings. All temporary crosswalks should be clearly marked, and have curb ramps. All detour routes must be compliant with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Pedestrians must be protected from all potential work site safety issues, using the arrangement of overhead protection, a boardwalk, and/or barrier separation.12 Finally, exit information should be provided to direct the pedestrian back to the original route.
