Our streets must enable the efficient movement of traffic in all its forms — cars, buses, trucks, vans, bikes, and people on foot. In retail areas, they provide “front doors” for shops and other facilities. They’re also places for people to stop, rest, and meet others.
Whatever the activity, streets must be safe.
In the social-distancing world, walking safely has come to mean something new. Pedestrians must not only be safe from traffic. They also need to keep at least 6 feet (2 meters) apart. This has profound implications for how streets are laid out.
It’s not just about creating enough space between pedestrians. Space needs to be made for the pedestrians themselves, as well as between them and the curb or wall or piece of street furniture. The minimum safe width in a residential area is 15 feet (4.5 meters).
Find out more in our white paper Street Evolution.