Sidewalks / Footways Measure: Description: increase the use of facilities to easy pedestrian sidewalks along roads and walkways or footways off-roads Current Practice: In Brazil, these measures are widely known but their application is limited. In some cities, as São Paulo, there is a legal requirement to build sidewalks flat to pedestrians but, at large, it is overlooked by developers (that usually have the responsibility for provision and maintenance of sidewalks). In general, the quality of sidewalks along main roads is better in affluent areas of the city and deficient in other areas. The situation along minor roads is even more varied. Exclusive/segregated ways (footpaths or walkways), including pedestrian streets or areas, are usual in commercial regions of the larger cities. The public safety would be a major concern on their wider applicability. Potential for Transferability: Negative Effects Positive Effects Regulatory: Current law usually limits the responsibility of the public Regulatory: There are regulations on standards for sidewalks in body to the carriage of motor vehicles and define the owner of land as several cities, including a national standard on provision for users with responsible for the provision of sidewalks (the public body can enforce disabilities. Provision by public bodies or enforcement of land owners their responsibility at most). Action will be limited under this setting. responsibilities would be options. Poor areas would be of concern. Technical: Better standards for design are required as long as Technical: May improve the walking experience and environment, guidance on selecting appropriate floor. In some roads, great conflict warranting free accessibility to all pedestrians along the roads. between space for sidewalks and carriageway and the interference of entry/exit of vehicles, especially where road grade is steep, will occur. Economic: High cost when adapting existing sidewalks. Provision by Economic: Low incremental cost when implemented in the initial the public bodies can bring funding problems (despite probable return development. Cost may be justified given everyday benefit to through increased value of buildings). Maintenance cost can be high. pedestrians, including the reduction in accidents in sidewalks. Financing by increase in taxes also is a problem. Behavioural: The enforcement of land owners´ responsibility is a Behavioural: Sidewalks in good conditions can avoid pedestrians political problem. Benefits can be constrained by implementation walking on streets. Quality of the walking environment can be a major difficulty. Sidewalks in bad conditions can disfavour walking as a benefit for local activities and local users. travel option.
Measure: Sidewalks / Footways Description: increase the use of facilities to easy pedestrian sidewalks along roads and walkways or footways off-roads Current Practice: In Brazil, these measures are widely known but their application is limited. In some cities, as São Paulo, there is a legal requirement to build sidewalks flat to pedestrians but, at large, it is overlooked by developers (that usually have the responsibility for provision and maintenance of sidewalks). In general, the quality of sidewalks along main roads is better in affluent areas of the city and deficient in other areas. The situation along minor roads is even more varied. Exclusive/segregated ways (footpaths or walkways), including pedestrian streets or areas, are usual in commercial regions of the larger cities. The public safety would be a major concern on their wider applicability. Potential for Transferability: Negative Effects Positive Effects Regulatory: Current law usually limits the responsibility of the public body to the carriage of motor vehicles and define the owner of land as responsible for the provision of sidewalks (the public body can enforce their responsibility at most). Action will be limited under this setting. Regulatory: There are regulations on standards for sidewalks in several cities, including a national standard on provision for users with disabilities. Provision by public bodies or enforcement of land owners responsibilities would be options. Poor areas would be of concern. Technical: Better standards for design are required as long as guidance on selecting appropriate floor. In some roads, great conflict between space for sidewalks and carriageway and the interference of entry/exit of vehicles, especially where road grade is steep, will occur. Technical: May improve the walking experience and environment, warranting free accessibility to all pedestrians along the roads. Economic: High cost when adapting existing sidewalks. Provision by the public bodies can bring funding problems (despite probable return through increased value of buildings). Maintenance cost can be high. Financing by increase in taxes also is a problem. Economic: Low incremental cost when implemented in the initial development. Cost may be justified given everyday benefit to pedestrians, including the reduction in accidents in sidewalks. Behavioural: The enforcement of land owners´ responsibility is a political problem. Benefits can be constrained by implementation difficulty. Sidewalks in bad conditions can disfavour walking as a travel option. Behavioural: Sidewalks in good conditions can avoid pedestrians walking on streets. Quality of the walking environment can be a major benefit for local activities and local users.