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There’s no shortage of arguments for more running, walking, and rolling in wheelchairs. Fresh air reduces the spread of disease and sunlight encourages vitamin D production. Traveling by wheelchair or on foot helps the environment by cutting emissions.
Those are a few of many benefits, but car-dominated roadways present a major barrier to the method of travel. Walkway signs and markings are vital for pedestrian-friendly street design. Here are some classic pedestrian walkway signs and street markings you should know.
1. Classic Zebra Stripe Crosswalks
The most iconic walkway marking is the well-known “zebra stripe” crosswalk.
It’s immortalized on The Beatles’ Abbey Road album cover and is one of the first things little kids learn about the basic rules of public life and safety. In recent years, some places started painting zebra stripes in special colors to highlight causes like LGBT rights.
As trendy as the symbol might be, it’s far from decorative or new. It’s not uncommon for the well-known stripes to keep a pedestrian from being hurt or killed in a car accident. Companies like 19 Power Facilities Maintenance have been applying this essential pedestrian walkway marking to roads for decades.
2. Pedestrian Walkway Signs for Street Crossings
Zebra stripe crosswalks and even unmarked crosswalks are often accompanied by a basic set of street crossing signs.
Diamond pedestrian crossing signs alert drivers to people crossing on foot. The same shape featuring a bicycle tells folks to keep an eye out for cyclists.
Officials worldwide require localities to post these signs in bright colors. Most walkway signs are a school bus yellow, while others are a bright yellow-green.
Electric street crossing signs use the common red, green, and yellow traffic signal colors to tell people when it’s safe to walk across the road. As with the metal signs and corresponding automotive signals, traffic authorities put a great deal of time and effort into choosing the most visible signals when designing these signs.
3. Sidewalk Arrows and Markings
Indoor floor arrows came into the public eye during the COVID-19 pandemic, but their outdoor counterparts have existed for ages. They can be directional, but they don’t often point pedestrians in tight loops like the floor markings in your local supermarket do. There are several common uses for sidewalk arrows and other pavement markings.
Temporary markings work well for all kinds of events. They direct overwhelmed parents and prospects at college family tour weekends. They also make sure marathon runners don’t find themselves running towards the starting line.
Other sidewalk markings are long-term, whether their primary purpose is decorative or directional. Some are standard arrows and shapes, while others are more creative. For example, schools may use their logos and mascots as arrows, while many zoos mark paved trails with painted animal footprints.
Plan and Build With More Finesse
These common pedestrian walkway signs and markings are essential to urban planning and public safety. Our neighborhoods and facilities wouldn’t be the same without them.
You’re on the right website to learn about other key construction and neighborhood features. We also have plenty of articles on housing and real estate. Click on another article and get on the road to smarter planning and building.
