Toronto Complete Streets Guidelines

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Toronto Complete Streets Guidelines

74 4.1 Pedestrian Design Principles Everyone is a pedestrian—whether The pedestrian network—which

76 4.2 Sidewalk Zones you are walking to school or work, includes sidewalks, crossings, and
78 4.3 Importance of the or to your parked car, transit or public spaces— is core to the city’s
Pedestrian Clearway Zone bicycle. Pedestrians include people transportation network. Space
80 4.4 Additional Accessibility and on foot and/or using an assistive should be allocated to protect
Universal Design Features device. Pedestrian design should pedestrians, encourage walking,
82 4.5 Pedestrian Crossings be accessible for all people. and support placemaking—all of
84 4.6 Public Realm and Pedestrians are the safety priority which enhances Toronto’s economic
Placemaking in street design as they are the and social vitality. This chapter
87 4.7 Utilities, Maintenance, and most vulnerable and have the discusses context-sensitive
highest rates of fatalities among pedestrian design, accessibility, and
Operations
road users. The safety of the public realm.
pedestrians should be prioritized
over maximizing traffic capacity and
speeds as the safety benefits can
be reaped for all road users.

4.0
STREET DESIGN FOR
PEDESTRIANS

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Toronto Complete Streets Guidelines Street Design for Pedestrians 4.1
Sidewalk Design Principles

4.1 PEDESTRIAN DESIGN PRINCIPLES

4 8

For illustrative purposes.

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Toronto Complete Streets Guidelines Street Design for Pedestrians 4.1
Sidewalk Design Principles

1. Accessibility and Mobility. A top from sun, rain, wind and snow.
priority is to provide accessible Carefully arrange street elements to
sidewalks and facilities for all users support pedestrian activities, and to
regardless of physical abilities or age. provide a safe buffer between
Ensure clear, direct, unobstructed pedestrians and moving traffic.
continuous paths of a suitable
context-sensitive width to serve 6. Greening Infrastructure and
existing and anticipated pedestrian Stormwater Management.
flows. Minimize or remove clutter. Incorporate passive stormwater
measures in boulevards where
2. Provide a Network of possible. Divert stormwater into rain
Continuous Sidewalks. Places that gardens, planting beds, or
support walking are healthier, more permeable paving in the boulevard
vibrant, and resilient. Create a to reduce potential for ponding.
network of continuous sidewalks with Green infrastructure enhances the
dedicated space for pedestrians quality of the street environment,
safely separated from cyclists and and contributes to mental and
motorized vehicles. psychological health. Consider
sufficient soil and water for street
3. Design for Safe Crossings. trees to reach maturity. See Chapter
Pedestrian-friendly design takes into 7 on Green Infrastructure for
account the frequency of crossing guidance.
opportunities, target speed, street
width, intersection geometry, 7. Design for Efficient
visibility, signal timing and walk Maintenance. Consider materials
speeds for vulnerable pedestrians, and designs that are durable and
3
such as seniors and persons with easier to maintain. Use City Standard
disabilities. See also Chapter 9 on Materials. Provide adequate access
Intersections for guidance. to utilities for maintenance. Consider
snow storage and waste and
4. Placemaking. Sidewalks are public recycling collection. Coordinate
spaces where people interact. Design repairs and upgrades, if feasible, to
sidewalks to invite, with seating, minimize impact to pedestrians.
trees, cafés, public art, lighting, and
places to gather. Create 8. Coordination with Utilities. The
opportunities suited to the street’s location, use, and maintenance of
context. Design to evolve with utilities needs to be coordinated
changing demands. Consider current early on in street projects. Ensure
and future pedestrians and uses. pedestrian clearway needs are met
for universal accessibility. Seek ways
5. Design for Comfort. Provide to minimize conflicts among utilities,
sidewalks of adequate width for the street furnishings, trees, and
context. Design sidewalks and landscaping.
boulevards for uses all year long.
Street trees offer shade and relief

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Toronto Complete Streets Guidelines Street Design for Pedestrians 4.2
Sidewalk Zones

4.2 SIDEWALK ZONES

1 2

For illustrative purposes.

1. Frontage and Marketing Zone. 2. Pedestrian Clearway Zone. The

The area adjacent to properties, most important area of the street for
such as building entrances, front safe, accessible, and efficient
yards, stoops, window shopping movement of pedestrians. The width
area, vending, café seating, and depends on the street context. The
building-related utilities. This area minimum will be higher on streets
may be part of the public right-of- with greater pedestrian activities. An
way, or private, if a building setback adequate pedestrian clearway is
is present. most important in sidewalk design.

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Toronto Complete Streets Guidelines Street Design for Pedestrians 4.2
Sidewalk Zones

3 4

3. Furnishing and Planting Zone. 4. Edge Zone. The space behind the
This zone in the boulevard provides curb that acts as a buffer between
space for a wide range of street moving/parked vehicles and the other
elements such as trees, other sidewalk/boulevard functions. May
plantings, litter and recycling bins, accommodate sign posts, parking
benches, street lights, and bicycle machines, decorative pavers, garbage
racks. set out and snow storage.

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Toronto Complete Streets Guidelines Street Design for Pedestrians 4.3
Importance of the Pedestrian Clearway Zone

4.3 IMPORTANCE OF THE PEDESTRIAN

CLEARWAY ZONE
The Pedestrian Clearway Zone is the area of sidewalk that is free
and clear of any obstacles so that people of all ages and abilities
can travel in a direct, continuous path. This zone is dedicated for
pedestrian movement and the amount of space required will depend
on the volume and intensity of pedestrian activity on the street.

person sitting on a bench, a bicycle

CONTEXT-SENSITIVE WIDTHS HIGH PRIORITY locked to a post and ring, a person
A wider pedestrian clearway is For safety reasons, the pedestrian standing or lining up for a transit stop
required on streets that bring more clearway takes priority from other or food vendor. Ventilation grates
people to the sidewalk, e.g. busy parts of the street. In areas with high and covers should be placed outside
shopping or destination areas, busy pedestrian volumes and crowding, of the clearway.
transit routes with many pedestrians, walking will become obstructed and
or other sites with large volumes of overflow if there is inadequate space
pedestrians. Space is needed for and may result in people walking in DIRECT AND CONTINUOUS
greater numbers of pedestrians to the roadway. Overall sidewalk width A direct, continuous clearway is
pass each other, window shop, push should first accommodate the especially needed along a block,
strollers or delivery carts, or support preferred pedestrian clearway, because it is difficult for people with
someone needing assistance with assigning available space to other low or no vision, or physical mobility
walking(See Figure 4.1 and photos). zones second. challenges to maneuver sudden or
frequent changes in path. Shared
At minimum, two assistive devices Streets need a clear path of
need to be able to pass each other WHAT IS NOT CLEARWAY adequate width that is delineated
with a buffer. This minimum space When measuring the pedestrian with visual contrast and by tactile
(2.1 metres) provides a safe, clearway, do not count the space indicators. This provides a dedicated
universally accessible path for people right up to a bench or bicycle post path of travel for persons of all ages
of all abilities. Issues with lack of and ring, or other element (e.g. door and abilities in an area with a mixing
space include having to pass on opening areas, frontage and of pedestrians and vehicles.
uneven surfaces like sod that could marketing areas or tree pits), because
tip a wheelchair, or being blocked on you need to account for how it is
one side by a retaining wall and not being used. Think of the users or
having space to safely pass. objects taking up space, such as a

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Toronto Complete Streets Guidelines Street Design for Pedestrians 4.3
Importance of the Pedestrian Clearway Zone

Person with Mobility Assistive Device Two People Walking Space Pedestrian + Bags Pedestrian Pushing Stroller Passive Walking
0.9m 1.4m 0.7m + 0.3m 0.9m 0.7m

Figure 4-1: Examples Of Widths Of Different Types Of Pedestrians

Wider pedestrian clearways are required on streets with greater pedestrian activities,
like these examples in Toronto.

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Toronto Complete Streets Guidelines Street Design for Pedestrians 4.4
Additional Accessibility and Universal Design Features

4.4 ACCESSIBILITY AND

UNIVERSAL DESIGN
Sidewalks are essential. Accessible and universal design for sidewalks
include: ensuring adequate pedestrian clearway widths, effective
physical separation between pedestrians and cyclists, materials,
slopes, and tactile walking surface indicators that provide warnings
and guidance for people with low or no vision. See Chapter 9 on
Intersections for accessible and universal design features found
typically at intersections such as curb ramps, depressed curbs, and
accessible pedestrian signals.

Sidewalks should be designed to

accommodate pedestrians of all ages and
abilities.

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 Toronto Complete Streets Guidelines Street Design for Pedestrians 4.4
Additional Accessibility and Universal Design Features

Sidewalk should be flat and level, while

maintaining proper drainage.

sidewalks. The slope of the sidewalk

SIDEWALK MATERIALS as you walk forward along it (i.e.,
• Sidewalk materials and their running slope) often depends on the
maintenance impact the experience slope of the adjacent roadway.
of a street. Safe, smooth, stable and
slip-resistant sidewalk surfaces are
important for universal accessibility. TACTILE WALKING SURFACE
In general, sidewalks should be INDICATORS & DELINEATORS
constructed of concrete, in a manner • To provide persons with low or no
that minimizes gaps, discontinuities, vision with warnings and guidance,
rough surfaces, and vibration-causing Tactile Walking Surface Indicators Tactile Walking Surface Indicators are
features for mobility device users. (TWSI) are installed at curb ramps or in installed at curb ramps or depressed
curbs.
• Minimize the number of different depressed curbs where a pedestrian
materials across the sidewalk. Non- may encounter a hazard such as
standard items are strongly moving vehicles.
discouraged for most street types for • A tactile, colour contrasting and/or
cost, durability, maintenance, physical delineator is required
accessibility and sustainability between the sidewalk and sidewalk-
reasons. Unique materials are more level cycle track (e.g., on Sherbourne
difficult and costly to maintain, and Street), or for a flush street (e.g.,
become tripping hazards, unsightly Market Street), where pedestrians are
and confusing to users especially at the same level or grade as cyclists
when maintenance lags. and cars. Yellow tactile strips are
used at transit stop areas. The design
depends on the context, i.e. speed Straight and direct sidewalks are required
SLOPES and volumes. for safe and convenient access for people
of all ages and abilities, especially those
• Sidewalks should have a flat, level
with low or no vision.
surface for walking, while maintaining Curb ramps and accessible
enough slope for proper drainage so pedestrian signals are discussed in
rainwater does not accumulate on Chapter 9 on Intersections.

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Toronto Complete Streets Guidelines Street Design for Pedestrians 4.5
Pedestrian Crossings

4.5 PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS

Pedestrian crossings are found at intersections of streets, at mid-
block locations on long blocks, and at key destinations, such as
schools, transit stops or stations, offices, or shopping plazas, that
generate pedestrian crossing demand. Pedestrian crossings are
facilitated by traffic signals, mid-block pedestrian signals, pedestrian
crossovers (also known as PXOs) and pedestrian crossing islands or
refuge islands.

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Toronto Complete Streets Guidelines Street Design for Pedestrians 4.5
Pedestrian Crossings

This mid-block pedestrian crossing

facilitates children in walking safely to
school.

c: Katie Wittmann
As discussed in Chapter 8 on
PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS Roadways, a priority is to look for
Traffic control signals that provide opportunities to rightsize streets to
pedestrians with a protected crossing reduce pavement widths for safety
opportunity at intersections or mid- and greening purposes. For example,
block locations by requiring motorists before allocating space to a median

c: Katie Wittmann
to stop at the signal. or crossing island, consider right-
sizing lanes and the street to reduce
crossing distances and to support
PEDESTRIAN CROSSOVER (PXO) preferred widths for the pedestrian
Pedestrian crossovers are identified clearway, planting and furnishing PXOs are common in Toronto.
by specific signs, pavement zone, and cycling facilities.
markings, illuminated overhead
lights, and pedestrian push buttons. The decision to install any of the
Under provincial laws, drivers and above devices depends on many
cyclists must wait until pedestrians factors such as pedestrian safety
have completely crossed the road. (e.g., lack of crossings or gaps in
traffic), street geometry, number of
lanes, adjacent land uses and trip
PEDESTRIAN CROSSING ISLAND generators, vehicular volumes,
OR REFUGE ISLAND speed, and observational data.
An area protected by curbs (i.e., a
raised concrete island) between two
directions of traffic, where
pedestrians can wait for a gap in
vehicular traffic or rest while crossing
streets mid-block.

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Toronto Complete Streets Guidelines Street Design for Pedestrians 4.6
Public Realm and Placemaking

4.6 PUBLIC REALM AND PLACEMAKING

Beyond providing safe pedestrian movement and access, sidewalk
zones also serve as vital public spaces that contribute to the city’s
economic, social and environmental well-being. Various elements
help create vibrant, attractive, safe, and green streets for people,
including street furniture, lighting, cafés and marketing, curb and
sidewalk extensions, wayfinding, green infrastructure, the sensitive
placement of utilities, and year-round operations and maintenance.
(Also see Chapter 7 on Green Infrastructure). These street elements
are important components of placemaking, especially pedestrian
amenities like benches and seating, which offer places for people to
sit, rest, and socialize.

Sidewalks provide vital public space day

and night.

c: tracer.ca. https://flic.kr/p/YYbkU

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Toronto Complete Streets Guidelines Street Design for Pedestrians 4.6
Public Realm and Placemaking

Curbside Café Parklet Café Small Café Laneway Café

Curbside/Parklet Café Corner Café Frontage Café

Figure 4-2

tripping hazards. Where cycling

STREET FURNITURE facilities are located adjacent to the PUBLIC ART, CULTURE AND
Street furniture includes street trees sidewalk, these benefits are also HERITAGE
and planters, transit shelters, extended to cyclists. These elements help to celebrate the
benches, bicycle parking, information culture, history, and sense of place
and wayfinding signs, litter and that makes our communities unique.
recycling bins, publication box CAFÉS AND MARKETING Public art, culture and heritage
corrals and kiosks, postering boards An outdoor café is a seating area features enhance the sense of
and poles, and automated public located on the sidewalk that is enjoyment and well-being of people
toilets. Ensure street furniture does operated and maintained by an using city streets. These elements
not obstruct the pedestrian clearway, adjacent restaurant or café owner. can include street art, sculptures,
rather locate them in the Furnishing Various types of sidewalk café plaques, painted traffic boxes, murals
and Planting Zone or Edge Zone (for configurations are shown in Figure and heritage buildings, structures or
narrower elements), or on private 4.2. sites.
property using building setbacks and
easements. Since pedestrians are given the
highest priority in the Sidewalk Zone, ORNAMENTAL PLANTING
outdoor cafés or marketing displays Decorative hanging baskets, planters
LIGHTING must not infringe on the pedestrian for trees and landscaping, and other
Street lighting supports safety, clearway. Greater clearways are visually attractive initiatives by local
pedestrian activity, sense of place, required in busier pedestrian areas, businesses and communities help to
and economic vitality. It includes so people do not spill onto the improve the public realm and create
roadway lighting and pedestrian- roadway and can comfortably access a sense of place.
scale lighting. Pedestrian-scale and enjoy café, marketing, and
lighting for sidewalks and crosswalks vending areas (see section 4.3 on the
ensures that pedestrians are visible importance of the pedestrian
to motorists and illuminates potential clearway).

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Toronto Complete Streets Guidelines Street Design for Pedestrians 4.6
Public Realm and Placemaking

Placemaking on sidewalks may provide

transition space between streets and
destinations for people to gather, linger
and socialize.

discover new destinations. The

CURB AND SIDEWALK wayfinding systems are further
EXTENSIONS supported through signs, printed
Curb and sidewalk extensions (a.k.a. maps and mobile devices. Toronto’s
bulb-outs or bump-outs) are 360 Wayfinding Strategy has specific
extensions of the sidewalk area and/ guidance for on-street pedestrian,
or landscaped boulevard that TTC, parks and trails and cyclist
protrude past the normal curb wayfinding systems.
alignment. They are used for safety,
greening and placemaking purposes
Wayfinding helps people orient as they can help repurpose space in GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
themselves and navigate to their the roadway for other much-needed Green infrastructure refers to natural
destinations.
uses. Uses include stormwater and human-made elements that
management and greening, provide ecological and hydrological
streetscaping, or multi-unit bicycle functions. These environmental
racks depending on context and qualities contribute to the
ensuring clear sightlines. Consider enjoyment, care and value of the
curb and sidewalk extensions City’s streets and public spaces. Part
wherever there is a permanent of their social and economic benefits
parking lane and consider how to include supporting opportunities for
accommodate cyclists when recreation, leisure and green tourism.
introducing curb extensions. Green elements include street trees,
plantings, bioswales, permeable
materials, and active transportation
An enhanced streetscape in PEDESTRIAN WAYFINDING facilities. (see Chapter 7 on Green
Scarborough Centre. Wayfinding systems help people Infrastructure)
orient themselves in physical space
and navigate from place to place.
They also help people to identify
landmarks, explore the city and

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Toronto Complete Streets Guidelines Street Design for Pedestrians 4.7
Utilities, Maintenance, and Operations

4.7 UTILITIES, MAINTENANCE, AND

OPERATIONS
Create a safe, attractive and functional public realm by coordinating
early on with staff involved in utilities, maintenance, and operations.
Various needs include considering the placement of utilities so that
they can be accessed, upgraded and maintained, while also ensuring
a safe, universally accessible pedestrian clearway and minimizing
conflicts with street furnishings, trees and landscaping. Year-round
maintenance and operations are important to consider upfront to
enable city services to be provided, while coordinating with other
complete streets needs.

• City of Toronto. Urban Design

PLACEMENT OF UTILITIES YEAR-ROUND MAINTENANCE Streetscape Manual. 2010.
Utilities play a vital role in the city’s AND OPERATIONS • City of Toronto. Vibrant Streets:
infrastructure system and in our daily Access to the Furnishing and Planting Toronto’s Coordinated Street
lives. Above ground utilities include Zone and/or Edge Zone is critical for Furniture Program. 2012.
various electrical and telecommu- on-going and seasonal city services • Ministry of Transportation of Ontario.
nications wires, fire hydrants, traffic like snow clearing and storage, and Ontario Traffic Manual Book 12:
signal controllers and lighting. waste and recycling collection. Traffic Signals. 2012.
Underground utilities include various Sidewalk planning and design must • Ministry of Transportation of Ontario.
electrical and telecommunications keep in mind the various needs – Ontario Traffic Manual Book 15:
conduits, water infrastructure and including sweeping, repairs, snow Pedestrian Crossing Facilities. 2016.
natural gas mains. Coordinate the removal and storage, landscaping • “Street Lighting Construction
safe access, use and maintenance of maintenance, and waste Standards.” Toronto Hydro. Accessed
utilities using a complete streets management October 18, 2016.
approach to ensure safe and efficient • Toronto Cancer Prevention Coalition.
operation of city streets and the Shade Guidelines. 2010.
utilities. Important considerations MORE INFORMATION • Toronto Hydro. Design and
include ways to reduce clutter above • City of Toronto. Best Practices for Construction Guidelines for Street
ground and minimize negative Effective Lighting. Anticipated 2017. Lighting. Anticipated 2017.
impacts of underground utility repair, • City of Toronto. Accessibility Design • Toronto Public Health. Green City:
modification and replacement where Guidelines. 2004. Why Nature Matters to Health. 2015.
possible. Early street project coor- • City of Toronto. Green Streets • “Tree Details & Drawings – Trees &
dination will maximize opportunities Technical Guidelines. 2017. Ravines – Parks, Forestry &
for well-designed sidewalks that • City of Toronto. Toronto 360° Recreation.” City of Toronto.
minimize conflicts among utilities, Wayfinding Strategy. 2012. Accessed October 18, 2016.
street furnishings and landscaping. • City of Toronto. Toronto Walking
Strategy. 2009.
• City of Toronto. Urban Design
Guidelines. Various dates.

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