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Curb Extensions
Curb extensions can mostly be found in residential neighborhoods and downtown commercial
areas. Curb extensions, also known as bulbouts, popouts, or neckdowns, increase drivers' awareness of pedestrians, decrease crossing distance, reduce pedestrian exposure to traffic, and reduce traffic speeds. They are also referred to as neckdowns and create a narrowing of the street at intersections or midblock.
Studies show curb extensions combined with a marked crosswalk increases yielding of vehicles to pedestrians waiting to cross the street. [1] Curb extensions also have a number of other purposes:
- Providing a prominent area for landscaping, public art, lighting fixtures, or freestanding signs.
- Providing an area for newspaper vending boxes. Cities or merchants sometimes want to remove vending boxes to de-clutter the sidewalk, but newspaper boxes are protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and must be accommodated. A large bulbout can provide a good compromise location.
- Bulbouts carefully constructed to neckdown a street (pictured above) also eliminate high speed turning movements (particularly right turns) by vehicles, increasing pedestrian safety.
- Providing protection for vehicles parked behind the bulbout.
ALSO ON THE LIVABLE STREETS NETWORK
REFERENCES
Each source is referred to by the same number every time it is cited. Please keep citation style consistent.
[1] Johnson, Randal S. 2005. Pedestrian safety impacts of curb extensions: a case study. Federal Highway Administration Final Report SPR 304-321. http://trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=5243
[2]
[3]
[4]
PICTURE REFERENCES
[1] Courtesy of Pedestrian Bicycle Information Center and Dan Burden.
[2] Courtesy of Pedestrian Bicycle Information Center and Dan Burden.
FURTHER READING
- "Curb Extensions/Neckdowns." Context Sensitive Solutions.
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