The AASHTO Guide for the Planning, Design, and Operation of Pedestrian Facilities, second edition (hereafter referred to as the “Guide”) was released in 2021. It covers pedestrian planning and design. As the pedestrian transportation field is evolving rapidly, it is critical that guidance is current. For instance, the FHWA’s National Roadway Safety Strategy recognizes that pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries have been increasing over the past several years and has adopted a Safe Systems Approach. This, in turn, promotes the Complete Streets standards and policies through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In 2014, the U.S. Access Board issued a Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for shared use paths, which will require changes to the Guide. The final rule for the U.S. Access Board’s Public Rights of Way Accessibility Guidelines was completed in August 2023 and several updates to the Guide are required to meet the final rule. State DOTs need additional research on innovative pedestrian safety treatments so they can make informed decisions at the project level, including decisions about accommodations for different ages and abilities of customers using the transportation system. 

The objective of this research is to develop draft materials for AASHTO consideration to update the Guide for the Planning Design and Operation of Pedestrian Facilities. The draft materials will provide decision-makers with current tools to improve pedestrian safety and mobility in various contexts to help them address a broad range of issues and needs associated with pedestrian facility planning, design, and operation.