scope:

: A sidewalk (also known as a footpath, footway, or pavement) is defined in the Uniform Vehicle Code as that portion of a street between the curb lines, or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines, intended for use by pedestrians. Sidewalks are important public spaces in urban areas across the globe serving not only a mobility function for pedestrians, but also as spaces for children to play, extensions of store fronts and cafés, host people-watchers and spontaneous interactions between individuals, and sometimes serve as a space for public discourse. In addition, sidewalks play an important traditional role in transportation for people who do not or choose not to drive.

The report outlines the policies, guidelines, and warrants that are used by road authorities to determine desirable locations for sidewalks. The scope of this project was limited to sidewalk selection guidelines or sidewalk warrants. It does not include sidewalk design or sidewalk maintenance. Nor does it include information on shoulders, pedestrian paths, shared-use paths or other facilities for pedestrians who are walking along (or generally parallel to) the road. The information presented was mainly collected through a literature review and a survey of ITE members. Together the public agency survey and the literature review provide a comprehensive snapshot of the state of the practice concerning guidelines on the provision of sidewalks.