Description

Footpaths form the backbone of our walking networks. Footpaths may run alongside the road or through parks and other open spaces, and include overbridges and subways. Well located and designed footpaths encourage walking and ensure a more equitable transport network.

Legal considerations, definition and use

Footpath “means a path or way principally designed for, and used by, pedestrians; and includes a footbridge” in the Traffic Control Devices Rule definitions. Users will include pedestrians of various abilities, users of wheeled recreational devices, and users of mobility scooters.

Clause 11.1 of the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004(external link) defines the use of footpaths:

(4) A driver of a mobility device or wheeled recreational device on a footpath—

(a) must operate the device in a careful and considerate manner; and

(b) must not operate the device at a speed that constitutes a hazard to other footpath users.

(5) A person using a wheeled recreational device on a footpath must give way to pedestrians and drivers of mobility devices.

(6) A pedestrian must not unduly impede the passage of—

(a) a mobility device or wheeled recreational device permitted to use the footpath by this clause…

At present, micro-mobility devices such as electric scooters are classified as wheeled recreational devices and are permitted to use footpaths. The Accessible Streets package of rule changes is likely to result in definition changes and/or the setting of additional rules governing the use of footpaths such as speed limits. In any event, footpaths that are wider, smoother, and with better geometric alignments will provide a better user experience for all users.

Traffic Control Devices Rule 2004

Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004

Where footpaths should be provided

The table below is a guide to providing footpaths in urban and rural environments.

Table: When to provide footpaths

Land use Footpath provision
New roads Existing roads
Preferred Minimum Preferred Minimum
Commercial and industrial Both sides Both sides
Residential (on arterials)
Residential (on collector roads)
Residential (on local streets) Both sides One side
Three to 10 dwellings per hectare Both sides One side One side Shoulders on both sides
Fewer than three dwellings per hectare (rural) One side Shoulders on both sides

Originally sourced from: ITE (1998) Design and safety of pedestrian facilities(external link)

Where only the minimum provision is made, the road controlling authority (RCA) should be able to demonstrate clearly why walking is not expected in that area (although for new or improved developments, this is the developer’s responsibility). Retrofitting footpaths is more costly than providing them in the first place, so the preferred standard should be installed for any new or improved development, unless:

  • it is not accessible to the general public
  • the cost of suitable measures is excessive (as determined in collaboration with the consenting authority)
  • it can be shown to benefit very few pedestrians.

For new developments, project timetables can sometimes mean footpaths are not proposed at the initial stages but are shown in the Master Plan or Outline Development Plan.;

In these cases, the RCA can reasonably request a written agreement from the developer to provide footpaths in future, potentially with a bond payment.[2]

There are some situations where pedestrians share the space with other road users. These are discussed in the Streets and places section.:

PNG: Streets and places

Footpath zones

Most footpaths within the road reserve lie between the edge of the roadway and the frontage of adjacent private property. There are four distinct zones within this area (refer to the table below) and it is important to distinguish between the total width and the width of the footpath through zone. The through zone should be a dedicated, continuous and accessible route free of obstruction that can accommodate peak pedestrian demands.

The continuous accessible path of travel (footpath through zone) defines the area where the pedestrian route is safe and convenient for everyone, especially people with impaired mobility, and people who are blind or have low vision. It has even surfaces, gentle slopes and is kept free of permanent and temporary obstacles at all times. 

The edges of the zone are usually defined by adequate cues.

In retail areas the continuous accessible path of travel is normally located next to the building line, which is likely to be the main orientation cue followed by people who are blind or have low vision. Street furniture such as parking meters and rubbish bins should be located near the kerb. Where retailers have limited space, well-designed outdoor facilities can be provided directly outside the building. If deviation (i.e. non-straightness) of accessible routes is unavoidable, a clear and simple transition should be provided.

In residential streets the edges of the continuous accessible path of travel are usually adequately defined by the edges of the sealed footpath.

When determining the width of the frontage or street furniture zone, a ‘shy distance’ of 0.15 m should apply from any object next to the footpath through zone. This area should then be excluded from the footpath through zone width as it is unlikely to be used by pedestrians. For example, if a lamp post is near the footpath through zone, the shy zone would be the area next to it. This area would then be included in the zone where the lamp post is located, and the through-route width would be reduced.

In off-road environments the same principles apply, however, one or more of the zones in the Table below may be absent or duplicated on the opposite side of the footpath through zone. The figure illustrates some arrangements for these zones.

photo example showing how footpath with through route and street furniture zone

Footpath zone layout example.

photo example showing how footpath with street furniture through rote and frontage zone

Footpath zone layout example.

Table: Zones of the footpath

Area Purpose
Kerb zone
  • Defines the limit of the pedestrian environment.
  • Prevents roadway water run-off entering the footpath.
  • Deters drivers from using the footpath.
  • Is a major tactile cue for vision impaired pedestrians.
Street furniture zone
  • Used for placing features such as street signs, signal poles, lighting columns, hatch covers, sandwich boards, wheelie bins, rubbish bags, seats and parking meters.
  • Can be used for dining tables and chairs (in addition to or instead of such provision in the frontage zone). Note that dining usage can result in more conflict between restaurant/café patrons/staff and through pedestrians.
  • Can be used for bicycle/e-scooter parking.
  • Can include space for inset parking, where such parking alternates with other uses.
  • Can be used for soft landscaping/vegetation.
  • Creates a buffer between motorised vehicles and pedestrians.
  • Reduces the incidence of passing vehicles splashing pedestrians.
  • Provides space for driveway gradients.
Footpath through zone
  • The area where pedestrians normally choose to travel (this must always be kept free of obstructions).
Frontage zone
  • Consists of both the façade of a building fronting the street and the space immediately adjacent to a building. May contain retaining walls, fences, pedestrians emerging from buildings, ‘window shoppers’, dining tables and chairs, or vegetation.

Below are examples of good and poor practice:

 

outdoor dining area partitioned by fence allow footpath free of obstruction

Good practice – street furniture is located in an enclosed area which can readily be detected by the use of a long cane. (Photo: Jeanette Ward)

Outdoor dining on footpath blocking accessible route

Poor practice – street furniture that sprawls out onto the footpath is a hazard for all pedestrians. Note the umbrella at head height, which also poses a potential hazard. (Photo: Tim Hughes)

The kerb zone being used for cycle parking to keep accessible zone clear

Good practice – street furniture zone used for cycle parking and landscaping buffer. (Photo: Jeanette Ward)

Outdoor dining that has been fenced off from accessible zone

Poor practice – street furniture and other objects do not allow a clear through route and are a hazard to pedestrians. (Photo: Jeanette Ward)

 

References

[1] Standards New Zealand (2010) Land Development and Subdivision Infrastructure; NZS 4404:2010, Section 1.9.