D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10-A, § 411

T-2.4 Pedestrian Access, Facilities, and Safety

Effective Aug 21, 2021Authority: Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)). Source: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).District of Columbia, Office of the Secretary

411.1 The District’s population density, interconnected grid of streets, wide sidewalks, and renowned park system have long contributed to a favorable environment for walking. In 2017 approximately 47,624 District residents (12.7 percent of Washington, DC’s labor force) walked to work. DDOT works to develop and maintain a cohesive, sustainable transportation system that is safe, affordable, and convenient, while preserving and enhancing the natural, environmental, and cultural resources of the District. Whenever DDOT substantially paves, repaves, resurfaces, or engages in construction of a roadway, bridge, or tunnel, it will bring that facility into compliance with the most current accessible guidelines.

411.2 The District has more than 1,800 miles of sidewalks. However, there are still approximately 100 miles of District streets without sidewalks and a backlog of sidewalks needing repair. When a street is fully reconstructed or when a curb and gutter are installed or rebuilt, DDOT is required to install a sidewalk on at least one side of the street if none are present.

411.3 Improvements to pedestrian facilities can enhance the quality of the walking and public transit environments, and foster greater use of both modes. Improvements should focus on reductions in the number and severity of pedestrian-vehicle conflict points, clarified pedestrian routing, widened sidewalks, and improved aesthetic features, such as landscaping.

411.4 Encouraging walking will bring many benefits to the District. It will provide convenient and affordable transportation options, reduce vehicular travel and related pollution, and improve the health and fitness of District residents.

411.5 Policy T-2.4.1: Pedestrian Network

Develop, maintain, and improve pedestrian facilities. Improve the District’s sidewalk system to form a safe and accessible network that links residents across Washington, DC.

411.6 Policy T-2.4.2: Pedestrian Safety

Improve safety and security at key pedestrian nodes throughout the District. Use a variety of techniques to improve pedestrian safety, including textured or clearly marked and raised pedestrian crossings, pedestrian-actuated signal push buttons, high-intensity activated crosswalk pedestrian signals, rectangular rapid flashing beacons, accessible pedestrian signal hardware, leading pedestrian interval timing, and pedestrian countdown signals.

See also Action T-1.1.A on developing multimodal transportation measures of effectiveness, and the Educational Facilities Element for recommendations on the Safe Routes to School program.

411.7 Policy T-2.4.3: Traffic Calming Continue to address traffic-related safety issues through carefully considered traffic-calming measures. Expedite processes for implementing traffic calming measures at locations and corridors identified as having the highest number of incidents involving bicyclists and pedestrians.411.8 Policy T-2.4.4: Sidewalk Obstructions Locate sidewalk cafes and other intrusions into the sidewalk so that they do not present impediments to safe and efficient pedestrian passage. Maintain sidewalk surfaces and elevations so that persons with disabilities or older adult pedestrians can safely use them.411.9 Action T-2.4.A: Pedestrian Signal Timings Review timing on pedestrian signals to ensure that adequate time is provided for crossing, in particular for locations with a large older adult population.411.10 Action T-2.4.B: Sidewalks Install sidewalks on streets throughout the District to improve pedestrian safety, access, and connectivity. Continue to monitor the sidewalk network for needed improvements. Consult with Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs) and community organizations as plans for sidewalk construction are developed. Coordinate with the National Park Service (NPS) to complete local sidewalk networks that overlap with NPS land. All sidewalks shall be constructed in conformance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Guidelines.411.11 Action T-2.4.C: Innovative Technologies for Pedestrian Movement Explore the use of innovative technology to improve pedestrian movement and safety for all users, such as personal transportation systems and enhanced sidewalk materials.411.12 Action T-2.4.D: Pedestrian Access on Bridges and Underpasses Ensure that the redesign and/or reconstruction of bridges, particularly those crossing the Anacostia River, includes improved provisions for pedestrians, including wider sidewalks, adequate separation between vehicle traffic and sidewalks, guardrails, pedestrian-scaled lighting, and easy grade transitions. Maintain sidewalk segments under and over rail tracks and provide adequate lighting in these locations.411.13 Action T-2.4.E: Pedestrian Master Plan Implement the recommendations of the Pedestrian Master Plan, the Vision Zero Action Plan, and moveDC Pedestrian Element to improve accessibility, connectivity, and safety for pedestrians throughout the District.

411.14

Action T-2.4.F: Pedestrian and Bike Events

Support events in public spaces and streets that encourage bicycling and walking.

SOURCE: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996 effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996 effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).