Description

Pedestrian platforms, also known as raised tables, are crossing aids for pedestrians raised above the carriageway level. They can be a raised safety platform to reduce vehicle speeds with the secondary benefit of providing a crossing place for pedestrians. They generally have a flat top and sit flush with the kerbs. On their own they provide a focus for pedestrians to cross, however pedestrians must still give way to vehicles. An example of a pedestrian platform is shown in the photo below.

a photo showing a raised pedestrian platform and kerb extension islands

Pedestrian platform, Christchurch. (Photo: Ben Jassin) Note: shows old zig zag markings.

Pedestrian platforms can support other forms of control such as zebra crossings and signalised crossings. 

PNG: Zebra crossings

PNG: Signalised crossings

When to use

Check whether a pedestrian platform is a suitable treatment for your site by referring to:

PNG: Crossing selection guidance

Benefits

  • Guides pedestrians to a safer place to cross.
  • Reduces or helps to reinforce slower vehicle speeds.
  • Can eliminate grade changes from the pedestrian route and therefore the need for kerb ramps.

Implications

  • Does not give pedestrians priority so can be less suitable for some pedestrian user groups.
  • Can result in unsafe use if pedestrians assume they have right of way.
  • Can create discomfort for vehicle occupants travelling over platforms if not well designed (particularly buses).
  • May increase noise as vehicles brake, slow, pass over them and then accelerate (particularly heavy vehicles).

Recommended parameters

  • Primary Safe System treatment if operating speeds are below 30km/h[1].
  • Operating speed of 50km/h or less with platform ramps and other features designed to slow speeds to 30km/h or less.
  • Traffic volume less than 3000vpd (could be higher if a median refuge is provided).
  • Likely to be a feature on Local Streets and Activity Streets.
  • Only appropriate for low pedestrian volumes.
  • Should be combined with kerb extensions to minimise crossing distance.
  • Crossing should be of an appearance and colour that is clearly distinguishable from the footpath to indicate that pedestrians do not have priority.

Pedestrian platforms can be combined with other elements:

PNG: Kerb extensions

PNG: Pedestrian refuges

PNG: Zebra crossings

Legal considerations

Platforms can be installed to guide pedestrians to a place at which to cross a roadway. A platform on its own does not require a driver to stop their vehicle while a pedestrian crosses the roadway (TCD Rule, 8.1(2)).

The rule also imposes obligations to ensure the platform:

  • has the appropriate signs, markings, delineation and illumination
  • has no permanent vegetation, traffic control device or other object placed on it impairing visibility
  • is safe and appropriate for the road, its environment or the use of the road
  • conveys a clear and consistent message to all road users
  • is placed so as to be visible to road users and allow adequate time for their intended response.

Land Transport Rule: Traffic Control Devices 2004

Design considerations

It is important that pedestrians identify they are do not have priority on a pedestrian platform, so there must be a clear demarcation between the road and the footpath in the following ways:

  • The material used on top of the platform must be significantly different in colour and/or texture from the footpath but can be the same colour/texture as the road.
  • There should be a clear demarcation between the platform and the footpath, for example using a white concrete kerb or line between the edge of the platform and the footpath.
  • Tactile warning indicators must be used at the boundary with the platform.

Platforms must either be flush with the footpath (so no kerb ramps necessary) or the transition between the footpath and the platform must provide for the smooth passage of all pedestrians including those using small wheels. It is noted that at some existing pedestrian platforms the edges taper to the drainage channels however these are generally not desirable for pedestrian crossing locations.

Bollards or other access control devices should not be used where they would restrict access by mobility devices or create a tripping hazard.

Signs such as ‘Pedestrians watch for vehicles’, ‘Pause’ or ‘Pedestrians cross with care’ have been installed at some platforms although these are not necessary or recommended if there is a clear demarcation between the platform and the footpath.

Drivers should be made aware of a pedestrian platform in good time so they are able to reduce their speed, for example they should not be located immediately after a sharp bend. Markings are also required on the approach ramps as the driver’s view of the top of the platform is restricted.

Design elements

Pedestrian platforms must adopt a flat top profile. The recommended approach ramp grades to achieve Safe System impact speeds are detailed in the table below. These grades optimise the likelihood of vehicles slowing to the desired speed on the approach to a pedestrian platform. Easing of ramp grades below the values listed may be considered to accommodate certain road users, such as heavy vehicles, emergency vehicles, buses or bicycles. However this needs to be balanced against the impact if the majority of users are able to traverse the platform comfortably thus reducing its effectiveness.

The table below outlines the design elements for pedestrian platforms and the figure below shows a typical layout for a pedestrian platform.

Table: Design elements for pedestrian platforms

Element

Requirement

Additional information

Platform height

100mm recommended

75mm may be considered where site constraints and traffic composition suggest a lower height profile is suitable (i.e. high truck volume routes)

150mm may be considered for low speed (<50km/h) and low traffic volume environments.

Platform length

Minimum length 2m, maximum length 6m.

 

Approach ramp gradient

At least 1:15 for 30km/h platform speed, steeper ramps are more effective in slowing vehicle speeds.

1:20 for 40km/h platform speed or 1:25 for 50km/h platform speed but these are not safe system compliant for pedestrians crossings..

Ramp grade should be designed to achieve the required Safe System impact speed prior to entering the conflict point. Steeper ramp gradients are more effective in lowering vehicle speeds over the platform.

Departure ramp gradient

Maximum 1:35

Where the platform is located on an undivided carriageway, the departure ramp gradient will be the same as the approach ramp gradient.

Ramp markings

The face visible to approaching drivers should be marked with hump ramp markings.

Further information can be found in the
TCD Manual Part 5

Surfacing / colour

The platform surface should be clearly distinguishable from the footpath and ideally the same material as the road.

Also refer to Roadway art guidance found in the
Tactical Urbanism Handbook

Tactile indicators

Warning indicators are required and directional indicators may be necessary.

Further information is provided in
PNG: Designing for blind and low vision people

Signage

W14-4 Hump warning sign as per
TCD Manual Part 5

 

Lighting

In accordance with AS/NZS 1158.3.1: 2020

Further information can be found in
PNG: Street lighting

 

a figure showing the correct way to mark the ramps on a pedestrian platform

A typical layout of a pedestrian platform.

Surfacing materials

A wide variety of surfacing material can be used on pedestrian platforms, however they must:

  • be highly durable
  • be able to withstand the impact of moving traffic
  • retain their colour, texture and/or contrast well
  • have a high skid resistance, with a sideways force coefficient higher than 0.55
  • bond well with road marking material
  • be compatible with underlying or adjacent material
  • minimise the effects of glare, bright sky reflection and wet roads at night.

References