Supporting infrastructure

Hard and soft landscape treatments contribute to the pedestrian environment by providing a sense of place, visual coherence and amenity, and aid legibility as a buffer to traffic, helping manage traffic speeds, and providing shade and shelter.

The footpath is the main location for furniture such as benches, café seating, rubbish and recycling bins, cycle parking stands, etc. Some furniture is designed specifically for pedestrians and enhances the pedestrian environment, while other furniture is provided mainly for other road users.

Wayfinding helps people to orientate themselves and find their way around an environment. Clear wayfinding for pedestrians supports and encourages people to walk. Wayfinding can include directional signs, information boards and surface markings.

Barriers such as fencing and furniture may be used to channel pedestrians away from unsafe crossing points in rare circumstances, or to separate pedestrians from motorways and railways. Fencing or deterrents may also be needed to protect pedestrians from vertical drops and other hazards.

Lighting helps pedestrians read signs and orient themselves, avoid hazards, and enhances feelings of personal security. It also helps drivers see pedestrians, particularly at crossing points.

Coloured surfacing may be used as a permanent treatment or to assist semi-permanent installations in our streets. It can help to direct or warn road users in permanent treatments, or to visually enhance streets and public places.