Indian Road Congress: Pedestrian Facilities Norms

I will split this in to following parts -



  1. Summary of IRC on above topic

  2. What is missing

  3. What we should do to fill in gaps

  4. Action the above by getting local civic body to ratify document Praja creates after step 3

  5. Forward plan


Summary:


General: 3 revisions (1980, 82, 87), finalised in 88


Introduction: Walking is an important mode of transport. Significant trips up to 2 km are on foot and every journey starts / ends with a walk. Requirements partly also covered in IRC:70-1977 Guideline on regulation and control of mixed traffic in urban areas and IRC 86-1983 Geometric design standards for urban roads in plains.


General Principles: 



  • Pedestrian facilities should be planned in an integrated manner to ensure continuous flow.

  • Reduce conflict between pedestrians and vehicles.

  • Convinience is paramount.


Footpath / sidewalk: 



  • Should be on both sides

  • Minimum width 1.5 meters

  • There are criteria based on pedestrians per hour and width of footpath may have to be as much as 4 meters

  • In shooping areas, width should be increased by 1 meter (to be treated as dead width)

  • When adjacent to building, fences - dead width has to be 0.5 meters


Gaurd rails: This is covered next, but I won't go in to it right now (the aim is to first get footpaths, rails come later). 


Pedestrian Crossings: 



  • Types - at grade and grade separated


At grade crossings (crosswalks): Covers both - crossings at intersections and mid-block, can be controlled / uncontrolled by signals. 



  • Zebra width - 2 to 4 meters

  • Not within 150 meters from each other

  • Median strip should be adequate width (this is the only reference to pedestrian refuges)

  • Mid-block crossings should be provided when distance between two consecutive intersections is more than 300 meters

  • Controlled crossings - warranted when one or more of following apply - peak pedestrian volume per hour (P) and vehicles are such that PV (V is squared) more or equal to 10 to the power of 8, approach speeds 65kph, wait times for pedestrians are too long (time not specified) and finally accidents records indicate 5 or more pedestrian injuries a year (not deaths, so threshold is low)

  • Control measure could be a push button pelican signal when pedestrians are fewer.


Grade separated: subways / foot over bridges - 2.5 meter width and height, but 4-6 meters width is advisable (there are criteria based  on capacity considerations)


What is missing:



  1. No mention of right of way for pedestrians at non signal controlled zebra crossings (though delhi police website says so).

  2. No mention on height of footpaths

  3. No mention on dipped kerbs and gradients

  4. No mention of slip free tiling (needed usually on dipped kerbs)

  5. No mention on pedestrian refuges and types.

  6. Signal phases are mentioned but no guideline on timings

  7. No mention with regards width around street furniture (bus stops, trees, benches, bins, electricity meter boxes, post boxes, signage poles, street lighting, telephone company boxes, etc).



Dr Adhiraj Joglekar