Curb Extensions
Description:
Curb extensions narrow the street by widening the sidewalk or
the landscaped parking strip.
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Purpose:
These devices are employed to make pedestrian
crossings easier and to narrow the roadway.
Effectiveness:
Curb extensions effectively improve
pedestrian safety by reducing the street crossing distance and improving
sight distance. They may also slightly influence driver behavior by
changing the appearance of the street. They can be installed either at
intersections or midblock.
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| Advantages | Disadvantages |
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Reduce pedestrian crossing distance and time
Make pedestrian crossing points more visible to drivers
Prevent vehicles from passing other vehicles that are
turning
May visually enhance the street through landscaping
Do not slow fire vehicles |
Require some parking removal
May make it difficult to accommodate full bicycle
lanes |
Cost:
Curb extensions costs $7,000-10,000.
Parking Impacts:
Curb extensions may occupy street area otherwise available for
curbside parking.
Transit Service Impacts:
Curb extensions do not adversely affect transit service. Curb
extensions at transit stops enhance service by moving the curb so riders step
directly between the sidewalk and bus door.
Emergency Services Impacts:
None.
Noise Impacts:
None.
Other Considerations:
Where the crowns of the street are steep, curb extensions may
actually go "uphill" because the new curb is higher than the original curb. If
poorly designed, this can result in puddles on the sidewalk.
Examples In Portland: