Curb Extension
Curb extensions can shorten crossing distances, reduce vehicle turning speeds, improve sight lines between people walking and driving, and calm traffic. They are typically delineated by striping, flex posts or other vertical barriers, and/or other artistic elements.
Program Goals This Project Type Meets
- Increase safety (pedestrian)
- Invite public use
Typical Applications
- 1-4 lane roadway with existing on-street parking, or bike lanes on at least one side; or wide turning radii
Material Options
Design Considerations
- Maintain proper drainage and ability to access for street sweeping.
- Maintain truck, bus, and fire truck turning ability.
- Where applicable, maintain bicycle lane access through curb extension and use elements to help reduce conflicts between people walking and biking.
- Continue to mark the crosswalk through to the physical curb unless the detectable surface has been relocated to the edge of the curb extension.
- Where pedestrians will be able to and/or encouraged to wait within the curb extension, consider crashworthy barriers such as jersey barriers.
Other Considerations
- Opportunity to include artistic elements and/or coordinate with a larger intersection mural project
- ADA accessibility of the sidewalks, curb ramps, and extension itself, particularly for pedestrians with visual impairments
Other Resources