Crosswalk

A crosswalk serves as a designated location for people walking to cross from one side of a street to another. Crosswalks are often located at intersections but can also be located mid-block where block lengths are longer or there are pedestrian generators. Quick build crosswalk projects can include striping a new crosswalk, updating an existing crosswalk to be higher-visibility, or adding artistic elements to an existing crosswalk (see crosswalk art). Crosswalks on their own do not inherently create a safe or comfortable environment, but together with other traffic calming treatments can support a walkable environment.

British Columbia, Canada (Wikimedia Commons, Bill Henry, CC BY 4.0)	Kasson, MN (MNDOT)

Program Goals This Project Type Meets

• Increase safety (pedestrian)
• Improve travel options

Typical Applications

• On roadways with higher volumes (>3,000 ADT), speeds greater than 20 mph, or more than two lanes
• Near schools, parks, plazas, senior centers, transit stops, hospitals, campuses, major public buildings, and other areas with high pedestrian activity

Material Options

• Striping and Surface Treatments
  • Demonstration
    • Sidewalk chalk
    • Cornstarch paint
    • Traffic tape
    • Tempera paint
    • Spray chalk
    • Spray paint
  • Pilot or RAPID Projects
    • Acrylic traffic paint
    • DLPM
    • Epoxy Gravel
    • Thermoplastic
    • Ramps

Design Considerations

• Quick build crosswalks are at-grade and should be aligned between two pedestrian zones, typically sidewalks
• Crossing distances should be reduced where possible using tighter corner radii, curb extensions, and medians
• High-visibility ladder crosswalk markings are preferable to standard parallel or dashed pavement markings.
• Advance stop bars, yield markings, and/or additional warning signs can help encourage driver yielding rates

Other Considerations

• Opportunity to include artistic elements and/or coordinate with a larger intersection mural project
• ADA accessibility of the sidewalks and curb ramps to which the crosswalk is connecting
• Presence of a crosswalk alone does not render a safe street. Roadway context may necessitate additional safety considerations such as pedestrian refuges, pedestrian signals or beacons, or other traffic calming elements.
• In areas where there is common nighttime activity, consider street lighting to increase the visibility and comfort of people walking.

Other Resources

• NACTO Urban Street Design Guide: Crosswalks and Crossings
• NACTO Urban Street Design Guide: Interim Design Strategies