Footpath basics

Key standards from the Indian Roads Congress Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities (1032012)
The zoning system
All footpaths need to have three zones: the frontage zone, pedestrian zone, and the furniture zone. Each of these zones plays an important role in a wellfunctioning footpath.

Minimum widths
The width of the of the footpath should vary as per the adjacent land use. For residential areas the minimum clear width should be at least 1.8 m, and for commercial areas, at least 2.5 m (IRC:103-2012, 6.1.5.2).

Residential Zone

Frontage Zone Furniture Zone Pedestrian Zone + + = at least 0.5 m at least 1.0 m at least 1.8 m

Total width at least 3.3 m

Commercial Zone

Furniture Zone Frontage Zone + Pedestrian Zone + at least 1.5 m at least 1.0 m at least 2.5 m

Total width at least 5.0 m

Frontage zone. The frontage zone can vary from a minimum width of 0.5 m along a compound wall to 1.0 m in commercial zones (IRC:103-2012, 6.1.5.3).

Pedestrian zone. The pedestrian zone provides continuous clear space for walking. The clear width must be at least 1.8 m in order to accommodate two wheelchair users at the same time (IRC:103-2012, 6.1.3) and must be entirely free of obstructions (IRC:103-2012, 6.1.10.2).

Furniture zone. Manholes, trees, benches, utility boxes, and other potential obstructions should be placed outside the path of travel (IRC:103-2012, 6.1.10.2, 6.11.4).

High Intensity Commercial Zone

Furniture Zone Frontage Zone Pedestrian Zone + + = at least 1.5 m at least 1.0 m at least 4.0 m

Total width at least 6.5 m

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